Dealing fairly with difficult chapters in our history

Another National ‘Heroes Day’ was celebrated at Morne Rouge; but, as we paid attention to the challenges put out by the prime minister, with great respect Sir, we also have a challenge for you. Will the people who were martyred get some recognition too? The day -October 19, seems to be forever steeped in the memories of the revolutionary activities that took place at Fort George in 1983 which in itself is an issue that can’t seem to get any closure. It’s an issue that the government has inherited and with general elections slated for early next month, the question is -would the interest continue should a new government come into power and party politics get in the way? It’s just too bad that the past government did not take up the suggestion even by the Conference of Churches to have those who were jailed for the sad incident, face the public in a national day of prayer at the Trade Centre. In the true spirit of reconciliation, those people were willing to face the public and speak directly to those who were negatively affected by their actions on October 19, 1983.

They even expressed their willingness to cooperate and answer any questions that the public would have posed to them. It is believed that this would have pleased President Nelson Mandela who allegedly promised to give them political asylum in South Africa and maybe that’s why they did promise in interviews to leave Grenada quickly if they were freed from prison. The issue of the day of prayer was mentioned on more than one occasions but got no support from any government. As was done in the Truth and Reconciliation style in South Africa when Apartheid came to an end, it is reported that it was a touching moment when a husband could have faced his wife’s killer and ask him –what were her last words? That incident at Fort George was a big one! Imagine your child left for school and to date there is no word on the remains as is the case of young Andy Alexander. Maybe the psychologists and other people who can help should brainstorm on an answer to bring closure. Instead, we are celebrating a ‘Heroes Day’ while many people continue to be hurting as a result of those who were martyred and still ignored nationally.

This very sensitive issue continues to see division. Why wasn’t there an address at the national event by the Leader of the Opposition who is part of the government? The Prime Minister urged the nation to use the painful memories of October 19, 1983, to build a more united and stronger Grenada. Well, we are yet to see the government taking the lead when it comes to national events. Most of the members of this present government have revealed that they were very young during the Revolution. So, it is no wonder that they seem to be only now getting an understanding of the depth of the pain that comes with the month of October since 1983. Prime Minister Mitchell acknowledged that he is aware of the pain and division that stem from the events; but is making the day a public holiday and naming it National Heroes Day the answer? There are people who are still asking the question –Will there be another day for martyrs since PM Mitchell has assured us that efforts are underway to establish the criteria for naming -only national heroes. Perhaps he should be reminded that MP Peter David made an effort in that light and even erected a Gazebo in Saint George’s for that purpose. Unfortunately, that idea has since seen its demise.

The Revolution focused on brainwashing the youth of the nation into believing that taking up guns to overthrow a legitimate government is the right thing to do; because by their utterances it is clear that most of them who are now grown are today still repeating the Revolution’s mantra. They were simply too young to understand the politics in the 1970s when Sir Eric Gairy faced the fiercest opposition that any government ever faced in Grenada as Teddy Victor explained in his book. After the coup d’état on March 13, 1979, weren’t members of the committee of 22 that assisted them in a big way to succeed jailed? Most of them were quickly called bourgeois and counter revolutionary.

There is the school of thought that Maurice Bishop can indeed be a true hero because he gave his life to save Grenada from the very Revolution of which he was the leader. This is backed by the minutes of their meetings to discuss the Joint Leadership issue that he was not in favour of. He was more than qualified to see then that they were ‘Going the wrong way’ for Grenada. The Revolutionaries, after serving time in prison, blamed their actions on their youthfulness. It is our hope that we all have learnt enough to now apply maturity in dealing with the issue.

Can we leave out partisanship in naming heroes and martyrs? We are aware that right here in Grenada there are some people who are deserving of public recognition but unfortunately that may never happen since it’s the politicians who are empowered to bring people into the spotlight and can also take them out all for political gains. What about the members of the Revolutionary Army who thought that they were doing the noblest feat by protecting Grenada from invaders whose aim was to turn back the Revolution? They were killed on the battlefield while obeying command on October 25, 1983; their remains are now in the Centre Cemetery in Saint George’s. Will they be considered heroes as well or ignored because they were martyred? Time will tell on this one!

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