The celebration of Anguilla Day sees an escalation of patriotism in word and in colour, even if not in deed. This was particularly evident this year, at the Ecumenical Service, where persons turned out in large numbers in their Anguillian colours and jubilantly sang songs reflective of the occasion. Sadly, the fervour displayed on these occasions often appears to be short-lived. Throughout the rest of the year, it becomes apparent that we do not ascribe the appropriate depth to the words which comprise our National Song.
I am always particularly struck by the first six lines of the second stanza of the National Song:
“With heart and soul
We’ll build our nation
Proud, strong and free
We’ll love her
Hold her dear to our hearts
For Eternity”
Do our words and actions really demonstrate that we are really pledging our hearts and souls to building our nation? We often denigrate each other, and our institutions, rather than offering constructive criticism which can contribute to the development and enhancement of self and our institutions. Many of us, from elected officials to the proverbial man on the street, are guilty of tearing down, rather than building our nation.
Are we building a nation that is proud, strong and free? Pride, strength and freedom are usually reflected in self-sufficiency. Anguilla’s history suggests that we still have a long road to travel in that respect. In recent years, capital development in Anguilla can be attributed primarily to the generosity of the British Government and, by extension, the British people. Should we take pride in our dependency on grants from the British Government? This is particularly concerning when it appears, based on comments made by Government officials, that our dependency results from the failure of Anguillians to pay their fair share of existing taxes.
It is a fair assumption to conclude that our apparent willingness to rely so heavily on British grants, shows a lack of pride, and our dependency weakens Anguilla as a nation and us as a people. Many persons are of the firm belief that Anguilla’s political and administrative decisions are made by British Officials in Old Ta, with our elected officials being mere figureheads. Is our lack of freedom to decide the price we are paying for British Aid? In the eyes of some, we are not proud, strong or free.
In the first stanza of our National Song, we ask God’s Blessings on Anguilla. We also ask God to nurture and keep Anguilla, and we declare that Anguilla stands noble and beauteous amidst the sea:
“God Bless Anguilla
Nurture and keep her
Noble and beauteous
She stands amidst the sea.”
Sadly, the lie in these lines is often seen as we travel throughout Anguilla. Litter, derelict vehicles and abandoned houses are all too common a sight in Anguilla. This does not translate to a noble and beauteous island. The litter, vehicles and buildings, that are often the subject of comment, are the result of the attitude and actions of persons – many of whom, no doubt, sing the National Song lustily but fail to reflect on the words and what those words require of us. The proliferation of litter, derelict vehicles and abandoned houses suggest a lack of pride on the part of many Anguillians.
We can and should do better. Attitudinal changes are necessary if the pride, strength and freedom we sing and speak of, are to be manifested. We must strive to reflect our patriotic fervour in our everyday activities and not just around Anguilla Day. We can truly be proud, strong and free if we commit ourselves to living our National Song.
