Activists and protests

IT HAS been three days since (Prince) Henry of Wales would have ended his two-week tour to eight Caribbean countries; countries that his family had a role in destroying socially, mentally and economically.

It has been four days since he was met with a small band of protesters outside the Commonwealth War Graves, and there has since been a flurry of social media commentators condemning the four protesters, me included, who dared to “have the audacity to fly in the face of diplomacy,” as said by singer Ryan Hoppie.

The thing with diplomacy is that while it can be good in some instances, it is largely an escapist strategy used to pacify those who should be condemned — not as individuals exactly, but for the organizations, institutions and empires which they represent and continuously uphold, despite the damages they caused and are still causing to a people.

Sometimes no matter how unpopular the decision, people have to fly in the face of diplomacy, because statements have to be made and accountability must be had. This does not always tie in with being nice and “respectful” to empires that killed, traded, raped and destroyed; but we seem to have short memories.

Many did not understand the purpose or aim of the protest, and while that was disappointing, it is okay. It is understandable that, after years of being regaled with blockbuster films, stories and anecdotes of the horrors of slavery (no matter how white-washed), we, as a people, have grown numb to the true experiences of our fore-parents.

It is understandable that having very little knowledge on the subject can see one pursuing more ‘progressive’ solutions, when all we are doing is fawning over the same monarchy and systems that our people revolted against.

The protest in question was not about breaking new ground; it was symbolic, and it was about addressing old violations that still have an effect on us. Persons may not be able to link our underdevelopment and social stagnation to the Crown, but not being able to see it does not make it less of a fact.

Then there are those who believe (Prince) Henry to be a poor target. From a narrow perspective, yes he is. However, one needs to consider that this call for an apology does not mean that Harry himself must apologise, but rather that an apology must be forthcoming from the monarchy which he represents. An apology would, of course, lead to heightened calls for reparations — which we deserve, but which they would not want to give; hence we may never get an apology, because it might not be economically suitable for them. But that does not mean we should never question them, and it does not mean we should have our children waving the flags of their oppressors while fawning over the oppressors’ offspring.

As much as I try to respect different opinions, there are those which really try one’s faith in humanity. There are actually those who believe that there would be no civilization had people not uprooted us from our homes and placed us somewhere alien. One begins to wonder if those persons have ever seen the inside of a history book, and whether they even care to learn that we had civilization before we were uprooted.

What bothers me about some persons is not their lack of insight per se — as we all have different backgrounds, exposures and experiences, and may not be able to see the same thing similarly; what bothers me are those who see activists and advocates as persons who are out to seek attention. While some advocates do seek attention, the majority of those who stand up, speak up, and are on the ground helping are not doing that for recognition for themselves, but for recognition for the causes being fought for.

For the people wondering where we are when things happen in our country, we, too, wonder where you are when we are on the ground working to fight against marginalization of our people, standing up for women and children’s rights, and fighting against gender-based violence. It’s interesting that you are never seen or heard, but yet you always have an opinion about those who are.

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