by Michael Bascombe I applaud the initiative by government to recognise outstanding Grenadians who would have contributed to national development over the past few years, more so those who made enormous sacrifices to bestow national pride.
It’s most fitting that the first national hero is awarded to the man described as the Father of Independence, the late former Prime Minister Sir Eric Matthew Gairy.
There might be worthwhile arguments that T.A. Marryshow, one of the key figures in the political history of
The honouring of Leslie Pierre and Leslie Seon is also a welcomed gesture and I expect that this will inspire the young media corps.
It’s also encouraging that the committee enjoys bi-partisan support and the hope is that Grenadians will embrace this national honours and awards programme.
There has been much debate following the announcement that Formula One driver, Lewis Hamilton is among those who received honorary awards as non-Grenadians – the other, American Reverend Melville Schaper who founded the
While Mr. Schaper’s contribution has impacted directly on the island’s development there is reasonable argument over
The arguments are quite relevant never mind the category of ‘non-Grenadian’. However, what we hope to achieve by this category, is a pertinent question.
Are we chasing international stardom at the detriment of our home-bred talents?
In listening to the citations of the awardees, which were very poor in presentation, I expected to hear the direct impact of their achievements. For example, in reading the citation for Eleanor Pilgrim’s Spice Isle Award, the presenter phrased her achievement as a retired teacher and veteran netballer and coach.
There is no doubt that much more should have been said of Pilgrim’s unquestionable contribution to education and sports in
The likes of Mark Felix, a consistent and successful participant in the World’s Strongest Man competition, and who ensures that Grenada’s flag and name are featured prominently especially for the millions of TV viewers.
But no one should forget the exploits of Alleyne Francique who missed out on an Olympic medal in the men’s 400 metres at the Athens Games in 2004. Earlier that year Francique won at the World Indoor Championships and successfully defended his title in 2006. He is on the verge of becoming among the first to win three consecutive titles in the history of the indoor championships.
How fast we forget the call for the wearing of national colours and a national appeal to start a special fund in the days leading up to August 23rd, 2004 – the final of the men’s 400 metres. Have they handed over the money raised to Francique?
The list of locals continue with Junior Murray (cricket), Ashley “Ram” Folkes (football coach), Jason Roberts (football), Shalrie Joseph (football), Richie Hughes (tennis) and the 1989 Shell Caribbean Cup football team.
The national honours and awards should not be used as a tool to gain cheap international publicity but rather to demonstrate to the world our own achievements.
Too many times the achievements of our sportsmen and women are used for political mileage rather than demonstrating the many challenges these people are faced with in their pursuits for excellence.
2 comments:
Michael - I could not agree with the spirit of the thoughts you so painstakingly captured in your essay.
First of all let me apologise for not replying to this earlier. God knows I tried. But because I am not so friendly with technology as you probably are, I inadvertantly cancelled the posting. I had to rekindle my thoughts again - all apart from having to go out and so I have just returned and thought that I should try to post my comments a second time.
You are the sports guru and therefore I will not attempt to match wisdom with you as my forte is controversy with a political slant.
First of all we must understand that some people - whether born in Grenada or of Grenadian strains - were definitely born for a larger stage and so we must admit that Grenada therefore will most certainly be too small for them.
Let us first turn our attention to Lord Pitt - a born and bred Grenadian who left Grenada at a pretty early age, travelled to England where he made his home. He was educated there, worked there and brought notariety and fame to Grenada when he became the first black member of the House of Lords. Lord Pitt contributed outstandingly to the UK's development through his integral role as a member of The British Upper House.
Fact number two relating to Lord Pitt: He gave permission for his office in England to be used by Nelson Mandella's African National Congress (ANC)when the ANC was virtually outlawed as a terrorist organisation way back when - an action which caused his office to be fire-bombed.
You see how much of a larger stage on which he was born to perform? The Great Nelson Mandella holds him fondly in his memory.
This was a prominent man who made his request early to be buried in Grenada and when he died and the British Crown carried out his command, there were all sorts of hue and cries from many Grenadians as to why he should be accorded a State Funeral which they did not know was funded by the British Crown.
Lord Pitt would have got a State Funderal in London anyhow and so because the location was changed to his homeland as he requested, the British funded it and it was facilitated by the then Government of Grenada.
Let us look at Justice Julius Isaac - another son of the soil who rose through the ranks in Canada to become Chief Justice there. Don't we agree that he, too, was born to perform on a larger stage than the one Grenada would have afforded him? I say yes to that! He was never ashamed of his roots. In fact, he made it clear at every occasion and made it known that he was from Grenada.
While I agree that we should look towards our very own home grown stars to honour and award, I am pleased that we have the foresight somewhere in there to highlight sons and daughters of our soil or even sons and daughters of Grenadian strains for helping to put Grenada on the international map.
It is unfortunate that anything done by the current administration is always treated suspect by the thinking man who has been encouraged to so think because of the track record of the said administration. But we need to learn to separate the sheep from the goat.
Lewis Hamilton is proud to be associated with his Grenadian roots. He had done well and therefore it is good for us to meet him on the half with equal enthusiasm as he is known to show for his Grenadisn connection.
In case many of our Grenadian people do not know, The UK never lets any immigrant feel they're an integral part and so one would always find Caribbean people, in particular, returning home long after many would have thought they settled permanently.
One point we must never forget is that our National Constitution of 1974 makes allowances for anyone born to a Grenadian father or mother to autmatically be a citizen of Grenada. That is an undisputable fact!
I recall some years ago as a youngster going to school that the argument about immigration was hotly debated in Trinidad's Parliament when one of the PNM elected members put the case to rest by asserting: "If a cat was born in an oven, it is not a bread."
I could not agree with that more - as our Caribbean heritage is so strong that it is easy to differentiate between our children who were born in the UK, Canada, and America (just to name a few) and children of people who originated in these places. That difference does give life to the "Cat being born in an over is not a bread" belief.
Michael, as I indicated earlier, you are the sports guru and I therefore have no choice but to agree with you that due consideration should be given to award our home talent, too - but I say every manwoman will have his/her day. The awards are not many and therefore regardless of who is/are chosen over the other/s, people will find fault. I recall the same thing applied to President Jimmy Carter when many thought he should have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Guess what: A few years passed but he eventually got it!
I am grateful that Dr. The Rt. Hon. Sir Eric M. Gairy was named our first National Hero. Well deserved! When one looks back on history which many of us thought would have been unkind to him, circumstances changed and we were able to live to see that Sir Eric was framed in many instances - as the truth surfaced with the high level of subsequent dissatisfaction with the Revolutionaries who replaced him. He was branded as corrupt back then and we are now only seeing what real corruption is.
I recall in an interview I conducted with Sir Eric on 27th January, 1984 when he reminded me that he predicted that the same fate he suffered will befall the master minds of the 1979 Revolution. As God would have it Sir Eric returned to Grenada and managed to live to the ripe age of 75, receiving a well deserved spectacular send-off to his final place of rest.
So Mike, I want to commend you on your focus as one of our foremost Grenadian sports guru.
I believe that if we continue as a nation to not have an idea of our history, we will forever have no point of reference for our own behaviour.
I bet many did not know of Lord Pitt, Justice Julius Isaac, and of course the many more outstanding Grenadians who have proved that the local stage was not grand enough for their performance as they were born for a larger stage.
I would love to sit back and enjoy the dialogue this ought to encourage as a means of widening our scope as a people to flavour our desire to get our just reward -all in the fullness of time.
We really need to "Festina lente" - hasten slowly!
Thanks for this opportunity. I am confident that I will get it right technologically to be able to successfully post this.
Excellent article Michael. As an open minded person it does not take rocket science to figure out the ulterior motives behind some of these awards.
Keep up the good work Michael.
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