Today I wish to reflect on a social issue of much significance that often fans debates in multi-religious, multicultural societies across continents. It relates to respect for the dead, in contrast to when such individuals dwelt among us.
Currently there is an outpouring of praise for Sir Richard Haynes, a distinguished doctor, politician and thinker who passed away on Sunday after a long battle with illness. He was 77.
While fully embracing the culture of speaking no evil of the dead, I continue to be surprised, even amazed, at the extent to which some will go when eulogizing someone’s fine personal qualities and/or contributions to societal life – only when they pass away.
In my own innocence I keep wondering why so many seem so inclined, if not satisfied, to withhold bouquets and, worse, show preference for brickbats, that sustain a warped cultural preference for recognizing the “good” in someone after he/she has gone to the “Great Unknown”.
Colleagues of my profession who knew Sir Richard Haynes much better and longer than I did – before, during and after his involvement with the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), in and out of government – have been pointing to his remarkable contributions as a politician.
In contrast, I have had comparatively little to do with Dr Haynes as an outstanding political voice before his departure from the Dems. But more so as quite a charismatic, articulate and dynamic opponent of both the Barbados Labour Party and DLP, when he campaigned against them as leader of his now defunct National Democratic Party (NDP).
It is in the public domain of Barbados that the one whose enormous intellect and leadership qualities we are currently being eloquently reminded of had been cleverly manoeuvred out of the line of potential successors to the late Prime Minister Errol Barrow.
The reputedly involved famed Anancy politician, himself a remarkable thinker and strategist, has long passed away, and Dr Haynes never made the national impact he had hoped for with his NDP.
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has done well, in not just referencing Sir Richard’s very impressive record to Barbados in the fields of medicine and politics. He has announced his administration’s decision to accord Sir Richard an official funeral. This gesture is not uncommon for politicians in the Caribbean who have never headed a government.
• Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist.
