RECENT COMMENTS ABOUT the low-keyed observance of Errol Barrow Day – January 21 – should have resonated with most Barbadians. What should be an observance of significance holds no special position on this island’s national calendar.
It is just another day off from work.
The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow was a colossus in Barbados who left a legacy that would be the envy of many other politicians, whether here or in any other developing nation. He was a man of and for his times whose desire was to see the people of this island reach their true potential, aspiring to be more than just hewers of wood and drawers of water.
Mr Barrow taught us a number of things that are still relevant today, foremost among which was the importance of being self-reliant, productive and living within our means. Thus, there is clear cause for the celebration of Errol Barrow Day.
But the problem with the observance is that it is rooted in partisan politics. It is seen as a Democratic Labour Party event and that means that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and its supporters have not embraced the day. This is also reflected in the way National Heroes Day is celebrated. The BLP holds April 28 as special since it is the birthday of its revered founder Grantley Adams. Many Dems ignore this day. So we have ended up with two separate days to reflect on these two National Heroes.
A quarter century after Barrow’s death and long after he led his first Cabinet, historians, researchers and writers still do not have access to those important papers which can give a much greater insight into his positions on various issues. The same is true of Sir Grantley’s papers or those of the other National Heroes where they exist.
The public needs to be able to access their work, view photographs and videos, and hear audio presentations of their speeches.
It is an initiative which would best be led by the University of the West Indies and civil society.
Errol Barrow and indeed all the other National Heroes, except Sir Garfield Sobers, are but memories for most Barbadians. However, the ideals for which they stood and their legacies are still relevant today. As Barbados approaches its 50th anniversary of Independence, we need to show maturity in dealing with certain national events. In this regard, we can learn from the bipartisan way Americans honour their past presidents and other national leaders.
We need to make Errol Barrow Day a meaningful occasion in remembrance of the man duly recognised as “The Father of an Independent Barbados”. We must take the politics out of those occasions when we hail the accomplishments of our National Heroes. These must be events which all Barbadians will want to embrace.
