Anguilla Day is one of Anguilla’s premier holidays. It is a day marked by well-organised and sponsored events. This is unlike some of the other holidays which go unmarked by any organised events. The level of planning that goes into making Anguilla Day an annual success is expected – as this day is considered to mark a significant turning point in Anguilla’s history. On May 30th 1967, Anguillians took a bold step that was the catalyst for a series of events which determined Anguilla’s future relationship with St. Kitts and Nevis – and with the United Kingdom.
Reflection is one of the moods Anguillians could reasonably be expected to experience as we celebrate Anguilla Day. Sadly, such reflection, where it occurs, is often steeped in negativity with many claiming that the dream of the Revolution is yet to be realised, or that Anguilla has in fact regressed rather than progressed since the 1967 Revolution. This view is usually manifested from a political perspective and by those who have political axes to grind. Many persons have come to expect these negative political diatribes and simply accept them as part of the landscape leading up to, and on, Anguilla Day. From my perspective, this is not acceptable and should, therefore, not be readily accepted.
Too often, in Anguilla, reliance has to be placed on the observation of visitors to our shores, or those who have come from elsewhere to live amongst us, for an appreciation of what Anguilla offers to those who call it home and those who visit. This is often obvious to those who visit social media sites. Facebook is often replete with comments of tourists, or persons who may be described as expatriates, relaying their positive experiences while visiting or living in Anguilla. Most of these experiences, they claim, are as a result of their interactions with the Anguillian people who they describe as the proudest, most independent and friendliest persons they have ever encountered.
Interestingly, Facebook is also replete with comments from Anguillians bemoaning the state of affairs on the island and the failings of their Government to make adequate provision for their needs. It appears that the perspective from which tourists and expatriates view life on Anguilla is very different to that of some Anguillians and in some respects, this is expected – and understandable. Despite the different perspectives from which these different groups might be viewing life on Anguilla I believe it would prove beneficial if Anguillians took the time to engage in sober reflection about their current circumstances, as compared to the circumstances under which Anguillians lived in the years immediately before and after the 1967 Revolution.
Today, we experience the constant presence of what we consider to be certain basic necessities, such as electricity and pipe-borne water to our individual homes. These commodities were scarcities in 1967. Significant economic and infrastructural developments have facilitated these changes. A clinical examination of our health, education and sporting facilities and programmes will reveal far superior services and opportunities to those afforded in 1967 – and even in the not so distant past. Thankfully, many of our young people, despite the propensity of some of them to complain, have seized the many opportunities afforded them to hone their talents. Many of us view and experience their talents throughout the year, and are happy to share in their accomplishments, at home and abroad, without acknowledging the role Anguilla, Anguillian institutions and Anguillians have played in their development through the provision of resources and opportunities.
We often speak of the loss of the social cohesion which was prevalent in 1967. In trying to explain this loss we can only look to ourselves as it is us who, by our interactions, design the society in which we live. Institutions such as schools, churches and youth programmes assist in the development of social cohesion but cannot replace the important roles we must play as individuals to achieve the society we claim we want. Is it so difficult for us all to display that pride, independence and friendliness that we make so apparent to tourists, in our interactions with our institutions and with each other?
It is my hope that while celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution many of us engage in sober reflection, which allows us to appreciate Anguilla for the treasure that it is. This reflection, I hope, will motivate us to do our part to further develop Anguilla for the benefit of those who currently call Anguilla home and those who will do so in the future. The attributes which make Anguilla a treasure should not only be visible in our interactions with our visitors, but also to us, in our daily interactions with each other. I firmly believe that sober reflection will allow us to better appreciate our institutions and each other.
