by Norris Mitchell
We are told by CRAC, that by joining the appellate court of the CCJ we would be breaking the bonds (chains) of colonialism and would complete the cycle of our (political) independence. Great sounding but empty and deceptive in content.
This admonition, we have now come to realise (understand) has been carefully selected “cherry picking”, if you will, to confine the thinking of the unsuspecting Grenadian electorate to a “minuscule” or a very limited perspective of the numerous symbols of colonialism that are part of the accepted day to day reality of Grenada’s political, educational and social structures which require radical changes or dismantling in some cases, if CRAC is really serious about breaking the bonds of colonialism, and not just a propaganda mantra for getting a yes vote in the 6 November 2018 referendum.
This initiative which is politically motivated, based on the prevailing evidence, is not a national priority that enhances the fundamental wellbeing of the of the people. Indeed, it appears to be the opposite designed to accommodate the hidden agenda of the politicians and their legal surrogates and should be given a NO VOTE.
The following are some of the colonial symbolism (titles/apparel and allegiance) referred to above:
- The Right Honourable
- The Honourable
- Dame of the British Empire (DBE)
- British Knighthood (Sir Somebody not the local cocoa and nutmeg knighthood)
- Commander of the British Empire (CBE). An empire long lost and almost forgotten except for slavery’s reparation.
- Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Member of the British Empire (MBE)
- British Empire Medal (BEM)
- Queens Counsel (QC) senior lawyer’s colonial title and mode of professional regalia quintessentially BRITISH.
- The wig and gown worn at official sittings by both the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. What could be more colonial?
- The Mace and Sargent at Arms. (The “ayes” do have it)
- European 3-piece suit (the long search for a national dress for both men and women)
- An educational curriculum out of sync with the changing world of work and at odds with Grenada’s national development strategy which is being prepared by the Chinese.
- In accepting their instruments of office, all ministers of government and senior public officials swear allegiance to the Queen of England thus reinforcing, not breaking, the BONDS of colonialism.
Our constitution requires us to pay allegiance to her Britannic Majesty Elizabeth II, and not to GRENADA. It should be noted that a Grenada litigant does not have automatic access to the CCJ. Approval must be obtained from the government, a disquieting requirement, which is undemocratic and is equivalent to unacceptable political patronage. And finally, in the interest of local justice dispensation, all local court judgements MUST become enforceable by law, which is not the case at present if justice is not to be denied, to the vast majority of Grenadians long before approaching the CCJ, which may not be necessary.
The republics of Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, our Caricom brothers and sisters, do not carry the incubus of the above system of national recognition and dress, but have instituted their own, in keeping with the (true) identity of their evolving nations. The powers that be in Grenada however, appear to want to eat its cake and still have it. But the changing reality of an evolving society appears to demand a PURE GRENADA in more than name.
