A birthday or anniversary is either awaited with great joy and enthusiasm, or with trepidation and anxiety. What emotions are we experiencing today as Barbados reaches the milestone of 52 years of Independence?
2018 will undoubtedly go down as one of the most significant times in the history of this island amid the most dire economic crisis experienced, a record landslide election victory and the installation of the first female Prime Minister. An economic recovery programme is underway but the road ahead is long. There have been some casualties in both the public and private sector – persons who have lost their jobs and are now on the breadline, feeling anxiety and uncertainty about their future.
How have the experiences of the past 52 years, the years before Independence and lessons learned, prepared the people of this small nation for the economic challenges and the uphill recovery period ahead? What core values, behaviours or traits that are distinctly Barbadian, can now help our people to dig deep to find the fortitude to stay the course and eventually say, “this too shall pass”.
While Barbados has been impacted by economic challenges, it continues to receive tremendous goodwill and respect from its Caribbean neighbours and international countries. There is also an uncanny strength and resilience residing deep within every Barbadian which come to the fore especially in times of dire need, and at that moment, a united Barbados reflecting pride of nationhood emerges. The Prime Minister’s mantra, ‘many hands make light work’ rings true as an appropriate pledge for Barbadians at home and abroad, indeed, for anyone who has made this unique island their home or has a desire to see it succeed. There is strength in unity.
If ever there was a time, that this Barbadian spirit has to come to the fore, it is now. The recovery and rebuilding effort requires ‘all hands on deck’. The road to economic recovery cannot be travelled only by the policy makers and civil servants, it cannot be travelled only be the business leaders, it cannot only be travelled by the faith leaders, it cannot only be travelled by the citizens. Everyone has a unique God given gift or talent that they can offer to rebuild this nation. We must all play our part. We must put our shoulders to the wheel and go forward with faith and hope.
How we each approach this task will require great introspection, humility, respect for each other and a recognition that this important task of nation rebuilding is not about you or me, it is not about partisanship or race. It is about US, it is about ensuring quality of life and a future for the children of this nation and their children, and their children’s children. A united Barbados, a community of love must be one of the outcomes of our journey together as a people and we are not journeying alone, “The Lord has been the people’s guide for past 300 years, with Him still on the people’ side we have no doubts or fears.”
The task of rebuilding a nation must ensure that we leave no man, woman or child behind. “The Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:8-10). As church, we encounter daily, the hurt of our brothers and sisters living on the fringes. We feel their pain, we see their struggles as they try to make limited resources stretch in a household. Basic justice demands a minimum level of participation by every person in the economy. Many people have more than they need, and even more people need more than what they have. This is a worldwide phenomenon. With adequate employment most individuals can meet the basic needs of themselves and their families, offer their talents, and contribute to the wider community.
However, the obligation to “love our neighbour” and to be our brother’s keeper requires a broader social commitment from all of us to serve the common good. As United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on October 17, International day for the Eradication of the Poor, “Ending poverty is not a matter of charity but a question of justice.”
Barbados is a Christian society, and we are called to respond to the needs of the poor, our brothers and sisters who are made in the likeness and image of God, just like all of us. “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you.” (John15: 12). We are called to speak for the voiceless and to defend the defenceless. The words of the late President Nelson Mandela ring true, “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” Remember, Jesus was born poor and lived poor. We must see His face on every poor person. (Matt. 25:40)
Therefore we each have a responsibility to hear the poor, listen, and to respond. The Holy Father Pope Francis challenged us for this year’s World day of the Poor on 18 November: “The poor do not need intermediaries, but the personal involvement of all those who hear their cry….They need to sense the presence of brothers and sisters who are concerned for them and, by opening the doors of their hearts and lives, make them feel like friends and family. Only in this way can the poor discover “the saving power at work in their lives” and “put them at the centre of the Church’s pilgrim way”.
The Roman Catholic Diocese recently held a series of activities to help us revisit how we provided support for persons on the margins in society. We recognized that we are all being called to listen and to act. Poverty is more than an issue or a problem to be solved. Poverty has a human face. It is the man, the woman the family who live across the street. Poverty is the homeless person in Bridgetown. Poverty is the person sitting next to you on the bus or in the church pew. Poverty is our brothers and sisters of our human family.
Being our brother’s keeper is not unreal or unattainable for Barbadians, because we are still known to be a hospitable people; a people with a generous spirit and heart who share what we have with neighbours and strangers, but it is time to share a bit more with those who do not have.
Barbados, this is a call for action. We all have a collective responsibility to bring Barbados back on the road to recovery. In so doing, we must ensure that we act responsibly, as our brother’s keeper. What we must do for ‘the least’ among us is a call of the Gospel to disciples of Jesus. We must ensure no one is left behind. This is a tremendous challenge and responsibility but how we tackle the task will define the outcome.
Let us get back to being the Barbadian people exhibiting love of brother, love of neighbour, love of country. May God bless Barbados, its people and leaders for this 52nd day of Independence.
The Most Rev. Dr Jason Gordon is the Archbishop of Port of Spain and Apostolic Administrator of Bridgetown for the Roman Catholic Church.