This past August Monday weekend, Bahamians celebrated that special and historical day of Emancipation throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. After more than three hundred years of suffering under the shackles of slavery, by a Royal proclamation, Queen Victoria ended one of the most evil chapters in the history of colonialism. Millions of Africans had been stolen from Africa for the purpose of being sold into slavery in the colonies. Their basic human rights and dignity were taken away. Their lives were physically controlled with others dictating their behaviour.
Emancipation was supposed to mark the beginning of a new dawn of liberation in what is referred to as a civilised world. The former African slave was “free” and thus responsible for the moulding of his own destiny. The sky was the limit and the only limit was his imagination. However, physical slavery was replaced by an even greater and more sinister menace, one that had no regards for race, creed, colour or religion. This was the concept of mental slavery. By controlling your mind and thoughts, an oppressor could abuse and degrade you without any physical infliction. Psychological scars are slow to heal and can be just as painful many years later as the day they were inflicted. The great reggae legend Bob Marley sang, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery… none but ourselves can free our minds!” Amazingly, after 172 years since the original day of Emancipation, far too many of us are still victims of mental slavery.
Mental slavery has empowered corrupt and misdirected leaders over the years. By brainwashing a nation, a “wutless” government can get away with the most barbaric and demented acts. Skilfully controlling the people, providing them with only a selective amount of information, always results in social disaster and disorder for that nation. Oftentimes, the nation pays a terrible price for such ignorance, with those exploiting the masses, abusing both their privileges and public trust. Supported by persons who would believe without question what is said and done by those in power who take advantage of such an unjust system has been directly responsible for some of the worst attrcotites in modern times. Just look at the Red Tide that swept through China under Mao Tse-tung when millions were killed when promoting an ideology that couldn’t be questioned.
Efforts to eliminate, if not control men, came out of the ashes of the holocaust after World War II. With a commitment of “Never Again”, the new body called the United Nations, formed in the postwar era to unite the nations of the world, conceived a document to prevent such world disorders and disasters in an effort to save mankind from itself. That document was named “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights!” One of the most fundamental provisions of the Declaration to promote world peace and understanding is the one of freedom of expression. Anyone has the right to express their opinion against any institution or government without fear or favour. Whether or not you like what was being said, doesn’t give you the right to prevent what was being said. You cannot punish someone for what is going on in their head!
So important was this provision of the Declaration, that many countries, including the Bahamas, has adopted it as a part of their Constitution or the supreme authority of that country. With Freedom of Expression enshrined in the Constitution, democracy will flourish in that country. Any effort by any authority or institution to limit or curtail such protection must be met with a determined vigilance. This is something that under any circumstances must never be compromised. Journalists, members of the Opposition and the average citizen must be afforded the right to criticise the government of the day or any institution in his country.
Regrettably, too many leaders have blatantly and perversely disregarded this critical provision of the Declaration by penalising and criminalising those who try to criticise or promote an opinion contrary to the status quo. Journalists and persons who dared to speak out against the government soon discovered that there was a high price and in some cases the ultimate price to pay for exercising this basic human right.
The classic case in the Bahamas is that of Lionel Dorsett who was dragged before the courts and charged with the offence of “criminal libel.” For having made a statement questioning the the integrity of Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, he was threatened with seven years imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
The 1991 Election Petition Act forbidding the Bahamas to discuss or broadcast political opinion from abroad was another fross and blatant violation of the Bahamas Constitution by the government of the day in its evil attempt to prevent persons from freely expressing themselves.
Recently, in Cuba, a neighbour of the Bahamas, some journalists were given as many as 30 years in prison for publications contrary to the establishment. This is so wrong and it only serves as a tool of intimidation and oppression. How any country, including the Bahamas, could support a country such as Cuba to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Council is beyond any reasonable comprehension.
In the Bahamas in recent times, the Press has been under fire, especially the daily Tribune.
When you support the views of government, you are a good citizen. However, when you provide an objective opinion, you become public enemy number one. When in opposition, Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell had nothing but praises for The Tribune. He indicated that The Tribune was a true friend of the PLP. Now, along with Senator Philip Galanis, PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby and others, The Tribune is under attack to the extent that freedom of expression in the Bahamas is now being questioned. To make matters worse, they are demanding not only the revocation of the Work Permit of the Managing Editor, John Marquis, but his expulsion from the Bahamas as well. It will be a dark day for the Bahamas should this despicable act come to pass and the Bahamas will join the ranks of those totalitarian dictatorships and Banana Republics. For those of us concerned about human rights, this is a stupid and unacceptable suggestion.
On the other hand, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe must be congratulated for being a true statesman and a professional when it comes to journalism. Clearly, he understands what is being suggested will come back to haunt the Bahamas. Based on his own personal experience, he understands that Freedom of Expression is an essential ingredient for a positive social development of the Bahamas. ﾠIn his interview with The Fribune on July 17, 2006, by standing up even against his own party, Minister Wilchcombe stood out as a true leader for all Bahamians and democracy. We cannot just attack the messenger, but we should listen to the message. ﾠBy his own example, Minister Wilchcombe must be regarded as a true freedom fighter and protector of our liberty. Well done, Obie!
By: Leatendore Percentie
Boston, Massachusetts
