by Marise La Grenade-Lashley
The recent announcement by the NDC government to declare 19 October a national holiday and, more importantly, to integrate the history of the Grenada revolution into civics classes in Grenadian schools is indeed heartening.
After 39 years, memories of the triumphs and achievements of the Grenada revolution, as well as its mistakes and failures remain fresh in the minds of older Grenadians. Yet our youth have remained largely uninformed about this important chapter of Grenada’s history, which has been overlooked and avoided, owing to willful or benign neglect.
The shocking events of 19 October 1983, whose effects reverberated across the Caribbean and beyond, created deep psychological wounds that have never really healed. One coping mechanism adopted by some persons directly affected by the events of that fateful day has been to retreat in silence. While silence is a common reaction to trauma, it has, in the case of Grenada, created a void in our society that needs to be filled with factual and unbiased information related to those four and a half years during which Grenada embarked on an alternative path to development that crumbled so abruptly, so brutally, so tragically.
A number of persons with intimate knowledge of the Grenada Revolution and its immediate aftermath are now deceased and have taken their closely guarded secrets with them to their graves. Vital historical information has therefore been lost.
However, rather than lament the irretrievable, we can look to the future with optimism. To teach and enlighten our youth, accurate and unbiased information can be culled from the many books, articles and papers written on the Grenada Revolution. Furthermore, time still remains for persons with information on the revolution, in particular the events related to 19 October 1983, to step out of the shadows, reckon with the past, and provide a wholly truthful account to Grenadians of what happened prior to, on, and immediately following 19 October 1983.
We have heard about Truth and Reconciliation Commissions around the world. In Grenada, although we have had our own Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it remains vital that we pay closer attention to the ordering of these 3 words. Truth and reconciliation. Truth precedes reconciliation.
The NDC Government has taken the bold and positive step of opening a window that has remained tightly shut for far too long. It is my hope that fresh air and bright light will enter through this window, thus paving the way for genuine peace and reconciliation, which have eluded us for 39 long years.
The comment by ‘Dr May’ about a “dark hand” being involved with the new government and its efforts to bring about healing for our people and nation after 40 years, is one made by a possibly dark culpable soul.
Those very same creatures , who have continued to sow seeds of deceit and hatred, in the face of any efforts to bring truth to the forefront about ALL the events preceding, leading up to those of October 19, 1983 and beyond…and teach it to our youth in civics and history classes lest we be doomed to repeat the mistakes of untaught history.
Why pounce on a well thought out article such as Ms Lashley’s, unless there is is a personal stake in hiding your own truth?
I don’t think lack of motivation is something the Grenada alone is experiencing, through out the world this is occurring. read the book “Fourth Turning” (its about the usa, but it show how history repeats itself)
the internet has made comparison and integral part of life. in 1979 there was no internet to compare the activities in Grenada to anyone. progress was measured internally.
also I love the fact that you made reference to telling history in an objective way (good or bad), I was born in 1995 and only hear about the good of bishop from elders(and he did do good), but when I did my reading I realize that his government was domed to fail from the beginning, it was never sustainable(read bishops and coards academic work from university), I mean he locked up hundreds of “innocent” Grenadians without question. my generation would certainly fear such a man
I think history about Grenada is not just the revolution and independence day, teach history showing what Grenada was like before independence(the plantocracy , the chief ministers, what date certain buildings and roads were built…etc)
As a Grenadian descendant living abroad, I realized this history was complicated from a young age, but it absolutely shocked me that the facts and different perspectives are not taught in Grenadian schools. I learned about the lack of a curriculum when a well-respected professor from an American University was given a lecture on how she put together the components of an upcoming book about the revolution. And this professor was not of Caribbean descent. Why does it seem like our history more valuable to others outside the culture? If taught, Grenadian students have the opportunity to analyze and interpret these events themselves. They can also engage in critical analysis and possibly civic engagement. Knowledge of your history is enriching, even the bad parts. It informs you on how to do better. Sounds like a great idea to me.
… Mm! – and to the one using the pseudonym (fake name) of ‘Dr May’…. It is a dark (and possibly guilty) soul that would write such a comment as yours – Rejecting the current Grenada administration’s efforts at education of the children of the future of Grenada, so as to avoid repeating actions of past follies resulting in murderous jealousies . Ms Lashley made legitimate points; that current young people and subsequent generations of Grenadians need to learn about the events of Oct 19, 1983 in civics and history classes at school, lest we are doomed to repeat those mistakes now and in the future. Also, that we need to yet expose the truth which has been obfuscated by the silence of so many ( the guilty who consistently pounce on others who dare to question or speak out about these events of 39 years ago? The frightened? The threatened? The paid bribed?), BEFORE there can be true forgiveness or reconciliation.
Fake ‘Dr May’ please stop the hating and let our country seek to move forward and heal, beyond the dubious contribution of your own dark soul.
Other Caribbean countries are already teaching about these events and the NJM, including the revolution that gave so many (probably including you, fake ‘Dr May’), an opportunity for free higher education in Cuba and beyond. Why, when other Caribbean countries have for decades, been teaching their students about the NJM, and the great positive achievements of the Grenada 1979 revolution for the betterment of the everyday Grenadian people, should Grenadians suffer a Suffiet of education on their own history… unless, maybe, you were part and parcel of the events leading up to that fatal day? Just wondering.
Only a few months ago the people of Grenada elected a new government with the hope that it will guide them to a brighter future. Strangely, we are witnessing an administration that is underhandedly trying to recreate the past. The ” PRG ” had its time and place, today, the people and our children, do not need politicians with little understanding of what needs to be done to try to control and manipulate their thinking and their lives, or twist their choice set as they think necessary.
The people should never accept politicians who claim they can demonstrate the feelings of a people, and on such a basis formulate ideas for their decision-making. This is “soft ” tyranny, under which the commanding hand remains hidden, seemingly to respect the rights of people, but at the same time trying to manipulate the citizens to end up doing what they want them to do. This administration should never forget that it is only in the arena of freedom that individuals can find their way, guided by their own beliefs, values, and purpose.
Please take a good look, there is a hidden hand behind this administration.
I was a little boy when the Revolution came to be and dismantled. Over the years and to this day, there were so many stories and versions of stories. I yearn to know the truths. I bought and read books about the events. The authors could only writer on supposedly facts. It turns out most authors were economical with the truth and some were lied to.
I don’t think there is an underhand. What I see is the attempt to tap into and spark a willpower of a people.
I am still shocked to see how Grenadians came together during revo and become industrious. Today, Grenadians just seems to lack energy and willpower and the drive to put Grenada first.
It will great if Grenadians can get that sparks back. Today, there is mentioned of food insecurity and Grenada is not in a produce its own food.
Grenadians today needs a reminder of what they are capable of.
Don’t get me wrong, the revolution contributed and infringed on the rights of citizens.
On the other hand, you can’t expect to erase the history and struggles of a people because it suits you.
Our children are still taught of a history. Some of events and people were/are flawed, yet it is repeated today as truth. Do you not think there is an underhand behind the lies in the history books.
Americans and America put all their founders and presidents on pedestals. Some of these presidents owned slaves, some dropped bombs on other countries.
So are you being aloof and condescending? If Grenadians today wants to acknowledge past leaders for good or bad, they must be free to do so.
What exactly is your motive?
As I said earlier, I was a little boy when the Revolution came to be. However, I am dismayed of how our men and women who served during the Revolution were and are still treated as though they should not be proud to have served their country.
In the U.S, service men and women are given all sorts of perks and privilege.
Forward ever, backward never.