Those of us who regularly attend the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School’s Graduation Ceremonies have become increasingly accustomed to the fact that many of the graduates do not carry a surname considered common to Anguilla. Many of us, I expect, are not only accustomed to this fact, but are also accepting of it.
Prior to a Constitutional amendment in 1990 the Anguilla Constitution allowed for grandchildren to be recognised as belongers of Anguilla. I will refrain from commenting on what possibly motivated the 1990 amendment, which denied persons connected to Anguilla, by blood, the opportunity to be accorded belonger status. Suffice it to say that for 29 years grandchildren born overseas, to belongers of Anguilla, were denied automatic recognition as belongers. This wrong was righted in 2019 by a further constitutional amendment, which has gone a step further and made provisions for great-grandchildren to be recognised as Anguillian as well, once certain residential requirements have been met.
Anguillians have travelled extensively, in the past, to seek a better way of life for themselves and their families. Many of their offspring have made their way back to Anguilla and this, I believe, is to be encouraged. Additionally, on close consideration, it is clear that many Anguillians have been playing their small part in making Caribbean integration a reality. Many Anguillian have, through the years, whether formally or informally, formed unions with a Caribbean brother or sister. Children born of these relationships are likely to bear surnames which are not considered common to Anguilla. No longer can a person’s Anguillian heritage be identified simply by their surname and we ought to shift our expectations accordingly.
Every child who crosses the stage at our Graduation ceremonies is a product of our school system, and our community, and we should be happy to share in their successes and celebrations. A quick look at the names of the top students as presented on the front page of The Anguillian of Friday, 16th October 2020 reveals that a number of the top performers do not bear, what are considered to be traditional Anguillian surnames. We need to divest ourselves of our harmful prejudices and embrace all our students and, by extension, all who contribute to our communities, without reference to their surnames. To do otherwise is to create unnecessary and unhelpful divides in our communities.
Many of us, Anguillians, who carry traditional Anguillian surnames, would be well served if we were to adopt the ‘let’s make it happen’ attitude of many of those among us who do not bear such surnames. It should be clear to all, who care to be discerning, that many of the persons who do not bear a traditional Anguillian surname, are focused and determined to make their mark in our little island home. We all have the same opportunity to make our mark, in Anguilla. Rather than begrudging those who seize their opportunities, each one of us should focus our energies on making sure we all do the same.
In the not too distant future, it is quite possible that the person serving as Leader of Government Business will not carry the surname, Webster, Gumbs, Fleming, Hughes, Banks or some other well-known traditional Anguillian name. This reality must be faced and accepted. Equal opportunity for all who qualify should mean just that, as we recognise and embrace the changing names of Anguillians.
