This is a touchy subject. I must say something. Many are talking about it but are too afraid to address it. They scared the politicians may victimize them. But I am not afraid.
I must admit up front the late George Mackey was one of a few PLP who was accepted by many Bahamians. The respect and admiration for Mr. Mackey stretched across the political, social and economic divide. He was a rare breed.
The upcoming Fox Hill Day Festival is a “big” reason to Celebrate; it commemorates a people being free from slavery. This is a significant milestone and must be allowed to be celebrated without the influence of narrow-minded, selfish, overzealous politicians.
Imagine United States naming their July 4th after any past prominent American. The college students would wreck the country, because someone would have been too overzealous. America would feel the wrath of the objection of a people that would not just swallow any old foolishness.
The naming of the Fox Hill Festival after George Mackey has now prostituted the day, when all Fox Hillians put aside their political differences and celebrate as a people. But no, some imbecile decided to “get smart” and politicize the day when the people were emancipated: This day is bigger than any one person, even if his name was George Mackey. How dare the political retards try to rob the Fox Hill people of their day? This just goes to show how very little the organizers think about Fox Hill people.
The late George Mackey himself would have seen this asinine act distasteful. If someone wants to name something after Mr Mackey, then name the National Building after him. I think he literally had an interest in the building, but no, not the people’s day, not all Fox Hillians Day.
Someone must tell the person/people responsible for the stupid idea to gain political mileage that this will only drive a wedge between a people that usually has stuck close together on Fox Hill day. Someone must tell them that some things cannot be politicized. Fox Hill is going to give them a good lesson real soon.
WENDAL GIBSON, Nassau
July 24 2006
