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Grenada Revo: selective memory and dodging

This story was posted 2 years ago
13 March 2020
in OPINION/COMMENTARY
5 min. read
Image from the Grenada Revolution
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by A B

It’s very easy at this time as the world battles with the pandemic of the Covid-19 coronavirus to sweep aside major events and observations.

The truth is that most Grenadians every year forget or vaguely remember 13 March 1979. On this day, Maurice Bishop and the New Jewel moment seized power of Grenada in the wee hours of the morning and The People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) was proclaimed. The ensuing 4 years were ones of radical change on the island but has been subsequently shrouded in a cloud of opposing facts and subjective documentation. It’s easy for me to feel a little upset about the revolution’s lack of prominence when we review our history (whenever that time comes around).

As a history enthusiast, I am very conscious that political events no matter how upsetting should be documented and taught as part of a nation’s history. Sadly, students and even history teachers themselves are not clear on the many details of the events throughout the course of the revolution. I often feel like we try to avoid speaking of the revolution, like a soiled part of an expensive piece of linen.

This selective memory and dodging by a large cross-section of the populace is undoubtedly due to the painful memories that still linger. Most importantly, it is due to the pervading view that the revolution was negative. Some revolution advocates attribute this to the post-revolutionary time of American involvement in our politics. I see the logic in this and it is definitely a contributing factor to the neglect this time period receives. It undoubtedly isn’t the singular factor that allows us to let this brilliant piece of history fade into non-existence.

Sometimes as I sift through articles, books, photo galleries and documentaries, I am warmed that I am not alone in trying to remember this period as accurately and succinctly as possible. As a history student, I studied and analysed the revolution for both my CXC and CAPE student research projects. It allowed me to come to the conclusion that there isn’t necessarily a lack of records but rather a lack of urgency on how unique and important this time period was.

When I travel, I go to museums, memorials and even cemeteries. The market for tourists who travel for the very purpose of reliving history is lucrative and fast growing. I’ve encountered many on my travels and when we meet and inevitably chat, a part of me is always saddened. Saddened by the fact that they cannot visit my country and see memorials, documents and monuments like this of such a controversial and momentous time in history. It is even distressing to think that they may meet a Grenadian who can’t give any details about the revolution.

I’m therefore tempted to preach about the coup, the course and demise of the revolution. I try to summarise the events and successes and even failures with as much passion as I can muster to my fellow citizens. Most times it’s met with cold disregard or a complete shutdown. When it is met with equal passion for enquiry, it is an electric charging experience. I see so much vision and possibilities in a more concerted effort at remembrance; from exploring a tourism niche market to inclusion in the national school curriculum.

This passion is met with the sobering reality that radical changes take time. I am also cognizant of the efforts by fellow enthusiasts to keep the revolution alive through meaningful acts of informing the populace. Nevertheless, this simply is not enough to keep the memory alive and pay respect to the successes of the revolution. To those who point fingers at the duration and the collapse of the revolution as the determining factor in forgetting its existence…I beg to ask; do you think everything went well in the major revolutions of the world? The answer is a profound no. These countries yet see it fit to acknowledge major agitators for change in their history.

I am also acutely aware of our nation’s strained resources and limited capacity for erecting and maintaining historical sites. We have somehow managed to procure funds for an array of tourism projects through grants and other resources. Exhibiting our history has huge potential for attracting visitors, as there are many who would love to learn about the unfolding of events firsthand. While obtaining the funds for such a controversial project may entail a complex series of petitions and applications, there has to be public and official interest for the process to begin. It may even be that there are persons in the background working hard on initiatives with the very same objective. There is simply no way to know of and support any such projects if they do exist.

Lest we forget, today marks a day in history that began a unique timeline which culminated in a haze of events on 19 October 1983 where Maurice Bishop and political allies were killed by firing squad. The details of the 6 days which followed have almost fallen into a black hole of history and most citizens are confused and very unclear about what transpired.

How do we receive clarity? How do we commemorate the day appropriately nationally? How do we teach about this period objectively? We have so many things to consider and work on. I sincerely hope that after reading this every Grenadian citizen marks today with remembrance and enquiry into the Grenadian Revolution (1979-1983).

I conclude with the words of Professor Brian Meeks, “My argument is straight-forward. It is that lost in the detritus [waste/destruction] of the 1983 tragedy there were initiatives taken that went beyond any experiment tried anywhere in the Anglophone Caribbean; and that if in the future we are to rethink and rebuild a Caribbean that is in the interest of the people; if indeed we are to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, then we must not only learn from what the Grenada revolution did wrong, but also what it did right.”

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Tags: 13 march 1979brian meekscoronaviruscovid-19maurice bishopnew jewel momentpeople's revolutionary governmentprg
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Comments 13

  1. TJoyette says:
    2 years ago

    Seems to me that the revolution may have been a necessary evil. It gave Grenada an opportunity to restart. Restart the scheduled election of its leaders.. The opportunity for the citizens to vote in or vote out as need be. Somehow we had lost that prior to the Revo. The Revo seems to be more as a correction of the Election System and not as a change to our sys of Govnmt. (Grenadians dont like Communism, it’s too claustrophobic).

    Reply
  2. M. Yahya says:
    2 years ago

    Maybe I read this excellent article before. Today’s reading (21/08/20) coincides with the start of the 10 days mourning commemorations of the brutal assasinations of the grandchildren, family and revolutionary companions of the last prophet and messenger of God. Not unlike their contemporary legacy erasers, the distant predecessors of imperialist western hegemony murdered with impunity. It is in the interests of the ” knighted” ruling classes to attempt, by any means necessary, to not only erase, but also to replace any sense of revolutionary activity directed at the indigenous management of a country’s human and natural resources with their thinly disguised, soul destroying organisations/institutions. The manifestos that prepare and correctly guide the human beings to their higher states of consciousness and political leadership exist, and are available. But sadly, are not allowed to be part of our curriculum. During this period of reflection and mourning, let us lift our hopes in expectation that the blood of our Caribbean martyrs will germinate the Husayni spirit in our present and future generations.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Hoffmann says:
    2 years ago

    I was disappointed with the lack of information on the revolution at the museum. There were more photos and info on the US invaders than the revolution. So many good changes were introduced by the revo. So sad that the youth are ignorant about Maurice Bishop and positive aspects of the revolution.

    Reply
  4. Bernard Bartholomew says:
    2 years ago

    The 13th March (the Ides of March) was when the Roman “dictator” Julius Caesar was assassinated.

    The NJM boys had a great sense of humour!

    Reply
  5. Angie says:
    2 years ago

    The subject of history is usually a hazy.One is never certain of what really occured. Perhaps schools can show students unbiased audiovisual material on 13 th March to commemorate the Grenadian Revolution…

    Reply
    • Angie says:
      2 years ago

      *usually hazy.

      Reply
  6. Sophie B says:
    2 years ago

    Totally agree. I was born in the UK but my dad is Grenadian. Everything I know about the revolution, I’ve found out for myself through books and old news articles and videos online. It’s a fascinating subject and it’s hard to believe so few people have even heard of it, given the worldwide ramifications at the time, but that’s subjective education and media for you… What I find even harder to believe is whenever I’m in Grenada and ask people about it, I’m usually met with silence or a swift changing of the subject! The Grenadian revolution had the potential to change the global landscape for people of colour and yet it seems to have been swept under the carpet by Grenada’s own people. I would love to learn more but how if no-one will speak?

    Reply
    • Sophie B says:
      2 years ago

      I should add I recently visited Grenada and was quite impressed by the Revo info on display at the museum.

      Reply
    • John Calliste says:
      2 years ago

      I would like to suggest the following books.
      (1) Deception On Conception by Teddy Victor one of the founders of the NewJewel Movement.
      (2) We Move Tonight by Ewart Joseph Kayne. One on the top commander of the Grenada revolution /the Twelve disciples.
      (3) The Grenada Revolution. What really happened by Bernard Coard Deputy prime minister and minister of finance of the People’s Revolutionary Government from 1979 to 1983..
      I have been a soldier and personal security officer for the leadership of the Grenada revolution personally assisted to Bernard Coard. I have also work with Maurice Bishop, Unison Whiteman, George and Selo.

      Reply
      • SophieB says:
        2 years ago

        Thank you so much. I’ve read two of Bernard Coard’s books but obviously it’s best to get as wide a perspective as possible. You must have some stories to tell!

        Reply
  7. Wayne H. Francis says:
    2 years ago

    By the way, well written and I agree with you, that our history good or bad should not be forgotten.

    Reply
  8. Wayne H. Francis says:
    2 years ago

    Why then don’t you disclose your full name and not just AB? You’re doing the same thing you’re accusing others of.

    Reply
    • Richellepatricis says:
      2 years ago

      AaAgreedi

      Reply

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