We often hear persons call for persons to be given their flowers while they are alive rather than at the time of their death. While on the occasion of the Men’s Week and Women’s Week Celebrations, certain selected individuals are celebrated – it is not commonplace to hear persons celebrating each other. Human nature seems more prone to see us highlighting each other’s shortcomings rather than commending our contributions and achievements. This is the case more so for politicians than for the ordinary citizen. It seems that more often than not politicians are vilified in life and glorified in death. This observation prompted the editorial published in The Anguillian of 16th November, 2018, a portion of which is reprinted below.
“Vilified in Life but Glorified in Death
Over the past few years we have seen many of Anguilla’s ‘Greats’ complete their earthly sojourn. On the occasions where we say our final farewell, we have invariably celebrated these persons’ lives in a manner that highlights all their many achievements. Our commendations for the exemplary lives of our dearly departed are quite resounding. On these occasions I have, however, almost always been struck by the significant difference between the observations made at the celebration of the deceased’s life and the comments made in reference to that person during their lifetime.
On the occasion of the celebration of a person’s life, when he or she is no longer able to appreciate that they were held in such high esteem, we glorify them. While they were with us and wholly capable of appreciating such sentiments, many of us saw fit instead to vilify them. What is particularly stark on many occasions is that the same persons who vilified our fallen brother or sister in life, is heard on the occasion of their departure from this world glorifying them.
Is it that we only truly realise the value of a person when they are no longer with us? Or is it that we are so blinded by our desire to get ahead that we cannot recognise and highlight the value of another, lest he be preferred to us? Is this why, many of us will only speak of their virtues when they are no longer able to compete with us in this game of life and are, therefore, no longer seen as a threat? Whatever the reasons, we must try to move beyond them and to instead identify and glorify each other’s values, while we dwell together on this earth.”
It is indeed heartening some three years after penning that editorial to see someone, who is viewed by some as a giant of a man, being glorified by those who previously vilified him, while he is still walking among us. Mr. Victor Franklin Banks, who is well known for turning the other cheek; for forgiving his detractors; and for treating friend and foe alike has lived to hear many of his detractors recognise and extol his many virtues.
This, in my estimation, signals a maturing of politics and the political players in Anguilla. Clearly, persons are not so divided along political lines and steeped in personal dislikes, premised on the perceived failure of a politician to meet their personal needs, that they cannot revisit views previously held and proclaimed. While many unexpected persons are now extolling Mr. Banks’ virtues, contributions and achievements – he continues to demonstrate humility, as he has not seen the need to glorify in having such accolades bestowed on him from those he least expected.
There is a lesson here for all of us, as we take note of the recent observations of many of Mr. Banks’ detractors and his response. We should adopt certain virtues and live our convictions. It appears that is what Mr. Banks did. He was not persuaded to conduct himself differently by public sentiment. Additionally, we should not be afraid to revisit long-held views, when the evidence before us says that we were misguided. That is what some of Mr. Banks’ detractors have now done.
Are we maturing politically? I believe some of us are.
