World Afro Day! Who knew that was a real thing until a few weeks ago when the Honourable Minister of Education announced its observance in schools for the first time in Anguilla? My limited research revealed that the day is set aside to celebrate natural hair and to encourage people of African descent to embrace their “natural curls”. I appreciate the sentiments of the Honourable Minister in wanting to instil in students the importance of loving themselves just as they are. However, I did wonder whether we aren’t importing a concept that is not necessary in our context. After all, many of our students already wear their hair in its natural state. They are not living in a society where they are a racial minority and face discrimination because of their hair texture.
I am ambivalent on the need to observe World Afro Day in Anguilla.However, I am of the view that students and our populace, as a whole, would benefit more if we focussed more on teaching them important aspects of our history, as Anguillians and Caribbean people. Our people need to have a better appreciation of the fact that Anguilla’s history did not start with the Anguilla Revolution. Anguilla was not established in 1967 as stated on many popular local t-shirts. We have a history which long preceded that.
What about an Amerindian Heritage Day where we learn aboutAnguilla’s first inhabitants, the Arawaks, who came by canoe from South America? Those early settlers established about forty villages in Anguilla. At least two of our heritage sites tell the story of the Amerindians. Their artefacts can also be found in the Heritage Collection Museum and other collections.
A day dedicated to the History of Slavery in Anguilla would also be welcomed. Many persons in our community continue to perpetuate the myth that slavery did not exist in Anguilla. Nothing could be further from the truth. The development of Anguilla’s economy in the 1700s and 1800s was highly dependent on slave labour. The fact that the majority of Anguilla’s population is of African descent is testament to this fact. Africans did not come to Anguilla as tourists. They came in chains and were bought and sold as property.
The Anguilla French Connection is another day that can be observed. Very few of our people are aware that in 1666 a French expedition attacked Anguilla, and that in 1744 Anguillian settlers, accompanied by persons from St Kitts,captured the French side of St Martin. The French retaliated in 1745 by attempting to take over Anguilla but were defeated. In 1796, the French invaded Anguilla and destroyed the main settlement in The Valley. The British navy had to come to Anguilla’s rescue and two French ships were lost in the battle. But in these modern times our people and those of French and Dutch St Martin live like one family.
Perhaps we can also pay homage to our forefathers by observing Resilience Day. During the 1840s, due to protracted drought and the destruction of crops and livestock, many Anguillians died from starvation. This coupled with the disappearance of the sugar trade led to depressed economic conditions. These circumstances gave birth to the British Government’s plan to abandon the island and move its entire population to Guyana to work on plantations there. The Anguillians refused to leave — and the rest is history.
Consideration can also be given to a Constitution Day where we highlight the various changes to Anguilla’s status in its relationship with Britain — and with other countries in the region. From 1872 through to 1980, the people of Anguilla sought in several ways to achieve a political status that would enable the country to thrive.
The list can go on. But I believe these are some of the ways in which we can help our students to better appreciate who we are as Anguillians, the proud history that we have, and the responsibility to continue to build a better Anguilla. Like the objectives of World Afro Day, the observance of key milestones in our history can build a sense of pride, belonging and uniqueness. Let us seize the opportunity to shape a society of citizens who love themselves and love Anguilla.
