If some Barbadians have lost their voice and desire to speak out about matters about which they are concerned, there is a growing number that has decidedly demonstrated they will not be placating the establishment.
There is no doubt that many citizens have tuned out or displayed a frustratingly low level of interest in social and political matters. On the other end of the spectrum, however, is an increasing level of activism on a range of issues.
Young people are speaking up for themselves, sometimes in a less-than-acceptable manner.
At least one trade union has taken such an aggressive stand against specific entities that some have characterised it as targeted bullying, while other offenders in the labour market receive hardly a harsh word.
Be that as it may, the boldness of citizens was exhibited this week when the Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) received a public tongue-lashing at its first town hall following the release of its report.
The Frank Collymore Hall, normally a place of elegant, demur performances before an appreciative audience, offered a less than pleasant, though necessary, feedback for the esteemed members of the Commission.
The panel of former commissioners that included retired Justice Christopher Blackman, Independent Senator Reverend John Rogers, former Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, and Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles received an earful.
People were concerned that many of the submissions from the early interactions with the public never made it to the final report, leading some to lose confidence in the process and the seriousness of public opinion on what should be included in the new republic constitution.
And if there was disappointment among members of the public on the contents of the commission’s report, it was discovered that even among the commissioners, there were divisive issues.
Among the contentious matters was the mere figurehead role of the president, whom some believed should have a “more meaningful” constitutional function.
The response of Brathwaite was instructive: “During our deliberations, we tried where possible to reach a consensus and where it wasn’t possible . . . [we] made recommendations based on a majority position. But it does not mean that our position is a position that will be adopted by the government and that’s why . . . we want to encourage continued dialogue, and we want to encourage the populace where possible to the fact there is still time, where they feel strong about any area, to contact their parliamentary representative.”
Though few were physically present for the session with the former commissioners, hundreds followed online.
Among those who were unafraid to tell the former commissioners to their faces how unimpressed they were with the final report was Norma Springer, who lambasted the document and those behind its contents.
For her, the document did not reflect what was expected of the world’s newest republic and she called the document “antiquated colonial thinking”.
With no filter or care for the sensibilities of the document’s authors, she slammed it as having no “innovative, creative thinking”.
“I am embarrassed . . . . It reads like a report that was due the night before. We need citizen committees on every law, act, and whatever is being decided because when I look at the committees, it is the same old, same old has-been minds – the old boys club, the old girls club, the former minister getting a pick, and we can go on and on.
“So, we can no longer just have the same minds circulating and circulating. We need new brains. We put millions of dollars into education and we are not seeing the results.”
Those attending were also very harsh on the commission’s lack of attention to the matter of petitions. The first-past-the-post system was also highlighted in the call for reform of the electoral system, and concern about the “constitutional crisis” created by a 30-0 situation in Parliament.
The discussion arising from this meeting suggests that Barbadians may be more engaged and that their level of situational awareness may be greater than most assume.
In this context, political and other leaders should not make the mistake of believing that the silence of citizens represents accord. If those who form the establishment do this, they do so at their peril.
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