PM Douglas traces history of nation building
Acknowledges contributions of past leaders
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter- SKNVibes.com
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Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN what was marked by many as “one of his most brilliant speeches ever”, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas acknowledged the work done by the past pioneers of the Federation in order to ensure that Independence was granted to the twin-island state.
During his address, given on Independence Day (Sep. 19) at the Independence Ceremonial Parade, Warner Park, the nation’s leader viewed the 25-year period as one wherein “we have been fully responsible for steering our ship of state” and be able to “establish our own priorities and adhere to them”.
He proudly added that the people of the nation have weathered division and strife, and pestilence and hardships, but were together able to surpass them all to build a nation that is “both politically stable and economically sound”.
“Ours was a journey that began with the extreme horrors of slavery and the
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Sir Kennedy Alphonse Simmonds
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sharp confines of colonialism but through the assertion of our humanity, ours also became a journey of resistance, a journey of courage, a journey of mobilisation until our own efforts caused our journey to quicken…quicken with hope and lightened with possibility.
It quickened the hope presented by statehood and lightened with the possibilities presented by Independence.
All because of our efforts, and all because of our strivings…all because of our focus and sacrifice and determination. And so, after almost 400 years of these two islands, here we are this morning, a proud determined and courageous people. After 25 years in control of our own affairs on these islands, here we are and here we proudly stand.”
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Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw
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Dr. Douglas added that in many ways the accomplishments of the nation may be viewed as phase one in the evolution of the people, and described the period as a time where the focus was placed on the need for material security in order to reverse the present day deprivation and exclusion and to gain economic advancement.
In acknowledging the invaluable contributions of past leaders, PM Douglas stated, “Our coming of age as a people was marked by determination and the success of the Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, the Right Excellent Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell and the Right Excellent Sir Joseph Nathaniel France and winning for every Kittitian and Nevisian the right to vote despite others’ determination to keep us voteless.
It was marked by their determination and success and winning for every Kittitian and
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Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell
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Nevisian the right to a secondary education despite others’ determination to keep us locked out, uneducated and uninformed.
It was marked by their determination and success the winning for every Kittitian and Nevisian, Social Security during old age despite others’ indifference to the shame and destitution that gripped our old forebearers by the thousands when they became too old to earn their daily bread. Messrs.
Bradshaw, France and Southwell, national heroes all, started movements that not only won for us the right to vote; more importantly, their efforts changed the way that we saw ourselves and the way others eventually saw us; and their efforts…their efforts stirred within us and within the hearts of the Caribbean people everywhere that dream, that desire and their demand for Independence from Britain.
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Sir Joseph Nathaniel France
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“And so it was the pride that we saw men like the Right Hon. Dr. Sir Kennedy AlphonseSimmonds complete the task that Bradshaw, Southwell and France had begun.
When the stroke of midnight on September 18, 1983 the Union Jack was lowered, our own flag was raised and Sir Kennedy became the first Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.
And we stood at the door of the great unknown for the first time an Independent people vindicating the centuries old struggles of our enslaved ancestors like Marcus of the Woods.”
Douglas saluted the National Heroes along with the nation’s first Prime Minister who fought for the cause of Independence from Britain.
He added that the Independence celebrations should be a cause not only to reflect but to look forward, and urged all present to have pride in being a sovereign state and to be able to envision pride, development and progress for the next 25 years of Independence.
Photos of National Heroes courtesy of International House Museum & Edgar Challenger Library
