Emancipation Still Coming ( Part 2)
Emancipation Still Coming is based on an Emancipation lecture given in 2013 by Dr Robertine Chaderton at Wesley Methodist Church in Basseterre, St Kitts
“How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfill the book“
Part 2 of this series is dedicated to my brother Irvine Lee who joined the ancestors on November 22, 2021. He was one of my strong supporters in all my endeavors – my accounting practice, my consultancy business, and my church activities. He assisted me greatly in the launch of Greenlands Books & Things 10 years ago on December 15th; he is gone, but not forgotten. He was my 2IC (Second in Charge)
At book launch in 2000 at Carifesta ( Caribbean Festival of Arts)
Irvine was quite advanced on the road of Emancipation, and he showed this by his involvement in local folklore (drama and Carnival) and by helping persons in need of food and shelter.
This section of the series focuses on Alienation and Persistent Poverty
Alienation
There is without a doubt, a distinctive Caribbean culture, because we say when certain things happen “only in the Caribbean”. There are positive events such as the use of the Steelpan, which is the only new musical instrument invented in the 20th century. It has become a tradition that whenever the Halleluijah Chorus is played, we stand and join in; hearing it played on the steelpan is a momentous experience, a proud moment.
Then there are the negatives such as when official functions start 45- 60 minutes late and no explanation or apology is given; we nod our heads and say ‘West Indian time’……..not good. It is alright when we are planning a party, a fete or a lime to say that the start time will be eight(ish), but it is necessary to appreciate the difference between business and pleasure.
We need also to admit that cultural alienation is still noticeable. The official colonial policy of “divide and rule” was practiced relentlessly by the colonizers in the Caribbean and although they are no longer present, the legacy is alive and well in the social life particularly in the corporate world. Caribbean people appear to assume that anything foreign and white is better than local and black. We have become alienated from our own inherent characteristics ( e.g. belief systems, aspirations, entertainment) . We have abandoned the use of local herbs for expensive medicines with serious side effects . Intra-regional travel is frowned upon at vacation time in preference to North America (we however also need to put policies in place to make Caribbean trips more cost effective) Why should it cost $960 US to travel from St Kitts to Barbados return, when it cost $475 US to travel from St Kitts to California return.? Children and young people want electronic games to occupy their time rather than the sea and sun that so many tourists pay top dollars to enjoy. Many Caribbean people generally cannot swim and a quick survey on any ‘High Street’ corner in most Caribbean countries will most likely reveal that 50% of those questioned will admit they do not know the last time they went to the beach.
Power, prestige and privilege achieved by the middle class have led to aspirations that continue to keep our minds enslaved. The internet and television determine what we buy and where we shop. I congratulate the Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School here in St Kitts for its annual “no TV week” and hope it will have the desired effect of encouraging its students and their parents to read.
It has been observed that “Readers are Leaders”
READERS’ CHOICES
– Kenneth E. Pollock
– Lawton Walcott
‘The official colonial policy of “divide and rule” was practiced relentlessly by the colonizers in the Caribbean and although they are no longer present, the legacy is alive and well in the social life particularly in the corporate world.’
-Robertine Chaderton
Persistent Poverty
Comparatively speaking, Caribbean people are poor by first world standards. I will nevertheless hasten to add that based on the UN Human Development Index; many Caribbean countries rank quite high. The 2022 Human Development Index which captures long term progress in three basic dimensions of human development :a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living shows the following :
| RANK Out of 191 countries | COUNTRY | GDP per capita 2022 |
| 57 | Trinidad & Tobago  | $31,371 |
| 68 | Grenada  | $15,156 |
| 70 | Barbados  | $18,559 |
| 71 | Antigua & Barbuda  | $23,522 |
| 75 | St Kitts & Nevis  | $28,636 |
| 89 | St Vincent & the Grenadines  | $11,769 |
| 1 | Switzerland  | $72,874 |
| 15 | Canada.  | $48,720 |
| 18 | UK  | $44,621 |
| 21 | USA  | $63,416 |
We live in a region that has limited natural resources with perhaps the exception of Trinidad (oil) and Guyana (gold) and Jamaica (bauxite) ; our natural resources are sea, sun, sand, and people. The hurricane season sets us back economically from time to time, sometimes in successive years.
However my reference to poverty is poverty of ideas and a willingness to accept that this is irreversible. When new ideas are presented, there are so many negative vibes, that it is difficult to get the economic and social transformation off the ground. The introduction of crime through gangs, guns, and drugs into our shores works as a strong deterrent for the entrepreneurs in our midst. To liberate ourselves , we must become more positive and work with what we have been given. On a trip to Singapore , several years ago, I could not help but compare them to us – island nation, former British colony, now a very vibrant tourist destination. What is the difference? The work ethic. Caribbean people who go overseas work hard, long hours, sometimes two jobs to be able to send home money for the retirement that many never live long enough to enjoy.
Those of us who have remained in the Caribbean must be more disciplined and focused to improve our situation. Persons in the diaspora can invest at home.
Rather than partying all the time, we need to mix the lifestyle. We can work to create intergenerational businesses which will be successful if we support local .
Celebrate with me at the 10th Anniversary of Greenlands Books & Things Purchase online, visit our website www.robertinechaderton.com
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