A Progressive Liberal Party Senator has advised white Bahamians to “make up their minds” and decide if they are going to fully participate in the national life of The Bahamas or remain on the periphery.
Shortly before making his contribution to the Marine Mammal Bill in the Upper Chamber on Wednesday, Senator C.B. Moss decried the noticeable absence of white Bahamians whenever the country celebrates its annual independence celebrations on July 10
“The question occurred to me, where are they [white Bahamians], and why are they not participating in the celebration of the most important day in the entire Bahamian calendar,” Mr Moss told senators.
“Not only were they not in attendance at Clifford Park on Independence, but neither were they in attendance, at least in any significant numbers, at any of the independence activities and events this year, nor for that matter in previous years,” he observed.
The Bahamas belongs to citizens of every hue, including black and white, Mr Moss, who is also an ordained preacher, continued, and all must be prepared to demonstrate their love and loyalty to the country at every opportunity.
Empty seats
In addition to the absence of white Bahamians, Mr Moss also criticized the overall turnout of spectators at Saturday’s independence celebrations on Clifford Park. The Park was attractively decorated and the schedule of events varied and interesting, but most of the official guests were absent, he said.
“There were impressive rows of chairs labeled for Parliamentarians, senior government officials, public servants, religious leaders, business and civic leaders and others, but the chairs were for the most part, empty,” Mr Moss lamented.
In a move to “cover” the major embarrassment, members of the public were invited by officials to occupy the reserved seats, much to the delight of the children, he said.
‘Disturbing trend’
Mr Moss said he hoped that his revelation of the situation at Clifford Park on Saturday night would end a “disturbing trend.”
Certain groups and categories of individuals are first in line and “front and centre” when “the fruits of the Bahamian national tree are being plucked,” Rev Moss concluded, “but it is always left up to the ordinary people to nurture and maintain the tree, even though they generally get the leftovers.”
By TAMARA McKENZIE, Guardian Staff Reporter
