When exactly are we going to make this a national day of observance?
Last year, efforts were made to remind our people of the significance of this day, which, despite the failures of the present, was such an achievement that it inspired Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison to study The Bahamas in crafting a new South Africa.
This year, a pretty general silence.
Well, I for one will observe this day — a day that made it possible for my father, my mother and my uncles and aunts to hold the positions they held in the late twentieth century, and for which basic freedoms our forefathers fought. If you’re black, brown, tan, beige, golden, milky coffee, ecru, or ivory, no matter what color shirt you wear, go read some history; chances are that without the victory of January 10 you would not be where you are now.
So: Happy Majority Rule Day. Let’s grow some respect and some ideals. Neither is a waste of time.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The reason I believe that Majority Rule day seems to have lost its historical importance is that the PLP government at that time choose to make it the beginning point of the modern history of Bahamian politics.It should have been placed correctly on the timeline of Bahamian history where as it would have been truly represented as high point as Nelson Mandela saw it.You cannot tell our political history without an indepth study of “The Bay Street Boys” or the UBP.I have notice there is little to no information found on them besides being mentioned in our oral tradtion scathingly ( there a few newspaper clipping that give a remarkable insight on their modus operandi).Who were they,how did they operate? This may be a sore point for people of colour in the Bahamas but it doesn’t change the facts that they existed.It seems that they are still clouded in a shroud of mystery.Is it because they still hold the economic power and now wield political power from behind the scenes?The architects of the “Quiet Revolution” did us a disservice ,perhaps unknowingly, by trying to erase them from history (an example of the patronizing views our leaders have of us).By trying to create a parrallel timeline of our history they have sullen the true meaning of Majority Rule day because now it is out of context.While we may want to forget harsh realities who must be knowledgable about them so not to repeat them and to past the valuable lessons learned on to future generations.We need to put Majority Rule in context by telling and documenting the history of the white oglicarchy in this country in relation to modern Bahamian politics.
Agreed – thanks for the comment!