Countries large and small,
Rich and poor,
Developed and developing,
Pass on to their children
Stories and landmarks
Which shape the nation’s character,
And become the rallying cry
When faced with internal struggles,
And, or, external threats.
Thus, Moses rallied the Israelites
With these words often repeated:
“Remember, you were slaves in Egypt.”
Anguillians of this generation
Have a God-given and solemn obligation,
To remind to our Anguillian children,
Of the journey of mayhem and death,
From Mother Africa to the Caribbean
And the Americas;
Of the ‘Stoney road travelled,’
Of the ‘rod of correction’, and humiliation Meted out to them and their children,
On the estates in this region.
Anguillians of this generation,
Must remind our Anguillian children
That neither drought, poverty,
Nor political and economic domination,
Could diminish our ancestors’ passion,
For liberty and self-determination.
Anguillians of this generation,
Must remind our Anguillian children
That storms and hurricanes will come,
The angry billows will roar along life’s shore, Life’s foundations will be shaken,
Friends will deceive and fears annoy,
And at times, the agony of defeat,
Will test their resolve to the ultimate.
But with faith anchored in God—
The God of our ancestors,
And a national resolve,
They will remain sure and steadfast,
And overcome obstacles, however formidable.
Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs
(All rights reserved)
