(This is one of a series of weekly columns from Guyanese in the diaspora and others with an interest in issues related to Guyana and the Caribbean)
By Patsy Lewis
Patsy Lewis is Senior Research Fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social & Economic Studies (SALISES) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica.
The release of the last seven prisoners convicted for the killing of Maurice Bishop marks an important moment for Grenada: of possibilities; of moving beyond the pain and disappointment of the collapse of the Grenada Revolution; of healing and renewal. It is a time to look back in order to draw from the lessons its collapse holds for us, rather than to be held in thrall by bitterness and recriminations. There are broader questions we need to come to terms with that go beyond who did what and how, that speak to Grenada’s social formation and the role of charismatic and/or authoritarian leadership within largely democratic structures; and the possibilities for a more involved and direct democracy coexisting with the capacity for deep fissures at the popular levels in close knit communities which could easily deteriorate into civil war.
There is clear evidence that Grenadians are ready to move beyond the hurt and pain of October 19. This was brought home to me at the last Caribbean Studies Association Conference held in Jamaica in June. A panel on Grenada, on which I was the only Grenadian sitting, generated heated debate from the audience. I was struck by the contrast between the Grenadians present, all representing different perspectives on the crisis, and nationals of other Caribbean islands. While the Grenadians were looking for lessons to help the country to move forward, the comments from some Jamaicans and Trinidadians in the audience remained bitter and recriminatory. It surprised me that we had moved on. We did not have a choice if we were to preserve our fragile society. A country of just around 100,000 has no choice but to heal the deep fissures that nearly tore us apart. The essay by Randal Robin below illustrates the potential that exists for that healing. It would be great if our Caribbean brothers and sisters helped and learned from us in this healing. Grenada holds tremendous lessons for us all, especially those of us grappling with social and ethnic conflicts. Forgiveness and understanding are important for moving beyond the hurts of the past.
Forgiveness Day?
By Randal Robin
Randal Robin is a layperson, and current Vice President of the Connexional Council of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). His contribution was originally written for the MCAA’s newsletter, MCCA in focus NOWW.
September 5th is the day the Lord made but with regard to Grenada’s history, this is an extraordinary day. It began last night, with the announcement that the Mercy Committee had decided that the remaining seven persons still being held in custody for crimes associated with the Grenada Revolution (1979 – 1983) were to be released along with 7 others.
Quietly excited by the news, I immediately phoned the Superintendant Minister Rev. Tessica Hackshaw to ask if he was going to be present at Richmond Hill prison for the release and if so I wanted to go with him.
This morning I am up early to go to the market for the ingredients for Oildown (Grenada’s national dish), don’t ask me the last time I was up early on Saturday much less to go to market!
I am back home waiting for a call from Rev. My mother calls, “Randal, Leon (Cornwall – one of the inmates and a Methodist local preacher) wants to go to Bethel (my Church where he is a member) directly upon his release so make sure it is open for him.” There is a beep on the line; it is Rev. relaying the same message and telling me that he will meet me at 9:30am. I am ready and waiting.
We’re off and would you believe Rev. drives directly into the prison compound past the boisterous crowd assembling at the gate? I must get me one of those collar thingies they seem to get you anywhere and everywhere!
We’re on the compound. We make our way to the entry gate to the prison. Rev says “They may not let you in to the cells.” I am okay with that but the Lord had other plans. Before I knew it we were out of the processing area and wading through a sea of curious bodies on our way to the cells. We met Leon along the way and he invited me to see where he lived for the last 9,441 days – a space of about 10’ x 7’ with a 3’x 6’ bed and wooden shelves built along the walls. There are no windows, just a row of 4” ventilation blocks at roof level. The room looked vandalised and I learned from Leon that there is a prison tradition that when a prisoner is to be released his fellow inmates would raid his cell. This is never done in an orderly fashion hence the car wreck of a once neat room. I don’t know what I am feeling at this stage and Leon is all smiles along with all of the other soon-to-be-released convicts (I wish that there was another word that could be used here but alas it is the way we refer to them, the trick is for them to move beyond it). Leon is focused and thanking God all along the way and I am meeting other convicts that I know, hugging, shaking hands and wishing them God’s richest blessings. There is the cacophony of excited voices clashing with the bustle of many individuals incarcerated in a small space going about their chores or just trying to get out of the way. Prison is a different experience altogether.
We congregate in the holding area just inside of the main gate. The lawyers come in and there are hugs all around and soon I am caught up in it. I spy Keith Scotland – my student when I taught Sunday school at Tranquility Methodist in Trinidad. He is a lawyer now and was very instrumental in the proceedings that led to today’s events. He is in tears and trying to hide in Bernard Coard’s bosom. Bernard Coard along with the late Maurice Bishop was one of the masterminds behind the 1979 Revolution. Leon gives a shout for quiet and we all hold hands and bow our heads in prayer. Rev Hackshaw thanks God for his grace and mercy and asks for his guidance over the lives the former inmates will lead outside in the world as free men. Solemn Amens fill the space.
We leave the Prison building and head to the Conference room in the Administration building where the ex-prisoners meet with the Commissioner and his deputy. Well, well, who would believe it? The prisoners are thanking the prison officers for the changes they have brought about in the prison that have positively affected the lives of the inmates. Now the shocker, the Prison Officers are thanking the prisoners for the role they have played in causing positive change in the attitudes and behaviours of the inmate population and saying that they were going to be missed. We all had a good laugh at that. The prison remains open to receive visits from them at anytime. There followed a Kodak moment, your humble servant doing the honors with Ruggles Ferguson’s digital point and shoot. Ruggles is one of the Lawyers for the remaining 7. There were 17 convicted but 10 were released before today.
We leave the Admin building and go off to greet the now frenzied throng of media, family and well wishers gathered outside the compound’s main gate. They are swamped first by media then by family and friends. After everyone has had their fill, we drive Leon up to Bethel along with his daughter Entaba and her friend Vaughn. He enters the church and sits in the pew he used to occupy more than 30 years ago. We leave him and his God alone for the next 45 minutes. He emerges and embraces Entaba and Vaughn and we have another Kodak moment. This time it’s with me and my camera. Ha!!
The day ends at a house in Lance Aux Epines where all of the former inmates have gathered to celebrate. I drove Leon there. There were stops along the way to greet his sisters and my parents and to phone Methodist Ministers abroad who had served in Grenada and had always been in touch with him and concerned about his welfare.
This day will be a bittersweet one for us Grenadians, but if we don’t learn to forgive we will all perish through hate and there is no place in Heaven for Haters.
I close by quoting Hymn No. 525 in the Methodist Hymnal Verse 3: –
We expect a bright tomorrow
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow
All, all is well:
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Then in living or in dying
All must be well.
AMEN!!
