In All Fairness to Amanda – and Anguilla
On the morning of Tuesday August 19th, I walked into the barber shop to the sound of some lively discussion over the fact that the newly appointed Police Commissioner for Anguilla, Mrs. Amanda Stewart had resigned. I had not been following much media at all that morning, so the news came to me as quite a surprise; and I also must admit – with a sense of regret, considering Amanda – and Anguilla in the whole scheme of things.
Mrs. Stewart had come in for a firestorm of criticism after some controversial remarks she had made about Anguilla were quoted in the Belfast Telegraph, a paper with which she had an interview soon after taking up her new appointment in Anguilla. Although I was of the opinion that that firestorm was small and hopefully contained, it surprised many of us by the effects that it so quickly produced. (See Bible, James 3:5-10)
After hearing and reading about the controversy that many expressed concerning Stewart’s comments in the infamous article, I must admit that my true Anguillian blood began to stir a little and I therefore endeavored to seek out for myself her written conversation in the Belfast Telegraph and to evaluate the full context in which she spoke. After my evaluation and in the few days before her resignation, it was my intent to seek to express my opinion on Mrs. Stewart’s quotes. So, although it might be sought of after the fact – here goes. Amanda said:
1. “ Anguilla is only 16 miles long by three miles wide with a population of 14,000. So everybody knows everybody. It’s a village trying to be a country.”
Look at the context in which she said “Anguilla is… a village trying to be a country.” Apparently here, she was emphasizing the smallness of the island and close knitted way which the people live.
2. “The ordinary people of Anguilla don’t have that much to be truthful, it’s a real typical Caribbean island.”
While we might blush at such a statement, we have to ask our self, ‘isn’t it true? Note she said the “ordinary people”; and she here was speaking in the context of a comparison with “the big five star resorts” on the island.
3. “The island feels stuck in the 1960s, even the way the people act, and their culture is very respectful. They are lovely, friendly people, you have to say “good morning and good afternoon” to everyone or they think you’re cheeky,” said Amanda.
We see things can make a world of difference when taken in context. Just before the writer quotes Mrs. Stewart on, “The island feels stuck in the 1960s”, he stated “The white tunics, pith helmets and Lee Enfield rifles seen in the pictures of Amanda’s swearing in ceremony give the impression that the island is trapped in a time warp between the end of Empire and the modern day.”
I would imagine, he made this reference to Amanda and then she responded, “The island feels stuck in the 1960s…”
“even the way the people act…” I don’t take that to be negative, but in other words she is referring to, the way people behave or relate, describing their respectful culture.
She went on to say, “I’m not having to get up every morning and look under my car. I come and go from work in my uniform, everybody beeps their horn and waves. Instead of hiding what I do, people are actually proud of what I do. The respect people have shown me is wonderful.”
To be honest, this does not sound like anyone who felt ill about Anguilla or wanted to humiliate us in any way.
What do I really think of Amanda’s remarks? I think she probably spoke a little too freely to a journalist ‘back home’, not fully realizing that her comments would get back to Anguilla and be properly dissected and analyzed. However, for me as an Anguillian, it was disheartening to see that even after a quick emotional apology, the fire against Mrs. Stewart still burned. It still burned in the face of words like these, “If I have offended anyone without meaning to, I apologize. …I would never in any way criticize this beautiful island or its friendly people. I am committed to doing all I can to prove to everyone who calls Anguilla home, my respect for you, your history and proud traditions. I am here to use my experience and years of service to serve and protect Anguilla, making this island a safer place for all of us to live in.”
It was clear that Amanda had good intentions for Anguilla and was determined to give her new job the best shot. That is evident in words expressed in the said controversial interview and in her letter of resignation.
“I went up in the helicopter from RFA Lyme Bay and did a recce of the island to see if there were any illegal (cannabis) grows. Since then we have done searches and recovered quite a bit of stuff.”
“My main worry (concern) is gun crime.”
“I had command during the Ardoyne riots three years in a row, so if there’s anything here I should be able to deal with it.”
“Since I arrived in Anguilla, I have given the role my all and was working hard to improve policing on this island. I oversaw the policing of a safe and successful Summer Carnival, and arranged for specialised training for all CID officers and monthly professional development training for all officers. I had commenced work on increasing the visibility of the RAPF on the streets and focused on planning to tackle serious crimes.”
With all due respect to our former hardworking Commissioners, wasn’t this the kind of Top Cop we needed for this day and time? The question begs; were there some factions on our island with ulterior motives who wanted to see Amanda go, therefore her controversial remarks were used as a convenient scapegoat to call for her resignation?
“As soon as I saw the article I issued an honest and sincere apology for any offence caused, but the personal criticism has continued. This has now affected my health and I have been left with no alternative than to resign and leave Anguilla.”
Although Amanda was a tough Top Cop, she was a stranger among us. How should we treat strangers among us? I refer to the bible, because it has the best and most relevant advice on any subject.
“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”(put any country there)- Exodus 22:21
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2
Amanda Stewart! Could this have been the ‘outside help’ that many on the island said the police needed? Perhaps a little too late, but maybe in all fairness to Amanda – and Anguilla we should all be saying, “Come back Amanda!” Or I hope that we do not eventually get to the point where we have to be calling “Amanda, please!”
Jerome Joel Harrigan
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
