The Nationalist Magazine

Separation of Church and State: Reality or Myth? 5-6By: Jayde Knowles

Wayne Munroe Interview 7-8

Loretta Butler-Turner Interview 9-10

Jerome Fitzgerald Interview 11-12

Election 2012: Decided by the Undecided 13-14By: Chet Pratt

The TWILIGHT of an ERA - Hubert Ingraham & Perry Christie 15-16By: Quinton C. Lightbourne

Are Bahamians ready for a Haitian-Bahamian Prime Minister? 17-18By: Dawn Demeritte

For example, the Church has its Commandments, therefore, the Law of the Land gave us a Constitution; the Church has its Ministers, therefore the Government issued us Ministers of the ‘issues’; the Church recognizes God as our final ruling, the Judge, therefore the Judicial system has given us Judges, and we address them as “Your Worship” or “My Lord”….. Coincidental? I think not. Simply put, we are where we are because of where the world has put us. Constantine the Great, the emperor who used Christianity to empower his government throughout the Roman Empire, mixed/merged the church and the state, and in it created the influence of the dominant view of the church sector over the minority. But they had to choose the dominant laws from the church view, like if the law of the land was infringed, then by law you would be persecuted… but with the church it shouldn’t be as such. However, Constantine merged the two whereas, by the law of the land, so shall be the law of the church, for example, if you worshipped on any other day than the declared day of worship, which was a Sunday, resulted in the ultimate penalty, which was death.

We would love to believe that ‘The Bahamas is a free and democratic country that has an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law,’ And accordingly, society would love to believe that once we put “Religion” in the mix of any decision, it automatically makes that decision correct.

“Separation of Church and State” is a common myth that lives comfortably in our reality. Bahamian people have found reassurance in knowing that the Church won’t stay out of the State’s business, but the State respectively stays out of the Church’s business. The Government of the Bahamas needs and uses the Church to do what they don’t want to do, and that is: tell the citizens of this Nation “NO”. Therefore, when you have somebody else doing your dirty work, it makes you look like the victim, doesn’t it? The government is unable to openly legislate morality, therefore the church is the tool used to govern matters of society. The Preamble to The Constitution of The Bahamas states: “the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law…recognizing the Supremacy of God and believing in the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, Do Hereby Proclaim in Solemn Praise the Establishment of a Free and Democratic Sovereign Nation founded on Spiritual Values…” Generally, The Bahamas is guided by morality under a set of rules strongly attached to a Christian doctrine. We turn to the church for every single problem, irrespective of its nature. In fact, we tuned our governing and judicial sector so closely to the church’s ordinance, that sometimes it’s too difficult to differentiate the two.

However, nothing in life is that simple. In fact, in most instances, placing an emphasis on religion confuses things in secular society. Essentially, it is quite complex to decipher how the Church should not be intertwined with the State, when the State, discreetly keeps the Church involved. In the Bahamas there is an Organization that represents the “Church” called the Christian Council (CC). Although the CC may have good intentions for our Nation, with the discreet power given to them by the State, our democratic rights then become a question at hand.

Founded in 1948, The Christian Council had a mission constituted to promote understanding and trust between the various parts of Christ’s church in the Bahamas at all levels; to further Christ’s mission of service by joint action of Christians in the Bahamas; to witness for the Christian community in the Bahamas on matters of social or common concern. However, it seems like the Social concerns have taken over what used to be common grounds for the CC. Basically, the church played a particular role, in constructing democracy in a country. You had to have the head or heads of the spiritual body that influences masses of people to act as an adviser to the Government/State into understanding spiritual and moral laws within the Country. In a democratic system, the church can only advise or influence the state never vice-versa. The church also acknowledges and endorses the State as the supreme governing body over the majority of the people to implement laws on the masses on their behalf, which slightly merges both. The balance of the two entities makes the masses believe what the other entity is doing is good for them while that the other is just an alternative source. The Church is technically the state in itself. The People that run our country are ordained by the church. If the laws of the land coincide with the laws of the church then there shouldn’t be a separation at all. However, weren’t the laws of the church made for sinners? Meaning the church is governed by its own laws, and the law of the land enforced for all people of the land. However, in many cases the laws cannot exist together, because that would mean that the government would have power over the church, which we all know won’t ever happen. For that reason if the Church will not allow the government to tell them how to conduct their services, then why does the Government allow the Church to have input on how to run the country?

This continues to baffle my brain completely and poses many interesting thoughts. First of all, the presumption that there is a separation of Church and State is simply a myth; and secondly, the thought of trying to separate the two may cause more harm than good, after all…. The Church is the State, and Society… is the Church. Go figure.

Mr. Wayne Munroe was born in Duncan Town, Ragged Island on March 1st, 1968 to Edward Munroe, Sr. (deceased) and Yvonne Munroe. He has 3 brothers and 2 sisters and started his early education at Centerville Primary then Kingsway Academy for his Secondary education where he graduated in 1985.

He then furthered his studies in the U.K. where he took A Levels and then attended The University of Lancaster where he obtained an LLB (Hons) Degree in 1989. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1990 and is also a member of the Inner Temple.

Mr. Munroe is married with 5 children (3 boys, 2 girls) between the ages of 4 and 22. He is the principal of Munroe & Associate and attends St. Margaret’s Anglican Church.

He claims his biggest personal accomplishment is the building of his firm where he has a simple policy for younger lawyers “be as good as I am and I don’t want to hold you back.”Mr. Munroe is very adamant and has a deep passion in helping younger generations to succeed.

“I always want to contribute to people behind me to ensure that future generations can continue my work...”

Why did you decide to run in the upcoming general election?

Because for 22 years since returning home from University abroad I have evaluated and observed the political process, and I feel that successive governments haven’t listened to complaints and concerns of Bahamian citizens. His REAL SPARK to enter politics came when his very own children had seemed to have lost hope and had no compelling reason to return home after University studies. The idea baffled him that one day he would have to jump on a plane to see his children and grandchildren. He wants to reverse that mind set and he also feels that no real empowerment has been done over the past 22 years to encourage young enterprise, ingenuity and creativity for young Bahamians. Also he feels that there has been a level of neglect for all Bahamians including lawyers due to the recent building of the Nassau street courts which he feels is a very dangerous and an ill-advised decision by the present administration. He has also made recommendations and suggestions to amend legal procedures and expedite cases but they have all been neglected.

What are your plans for Mt. Moriah?

In a representative form of politics the people of Mt. Moriah will be offered what the DNA has planned for the country. The most important issue is jobs and crimes in certain areas of Mt. Moriah. He has encouraged entrepreneurship among young men to start landscaping businesses where they can make up to $500 per week. From a community Level Mr.Munroe feels that a representative should represent the community views over some party views. Mr. Munroe also feels that we Bahamians must take back parts of our country starting at every level. A menacing problem that he seeks to resolve is a 20 year old sewage issue in Yellow Elder and Millennium Gardens subdivisions.

“I always want to contribute to people behind me to ensure that future generations can continue my work...”

What is the biggest problems facing Bahamians today?

“The biggest problem in the country is our IDENTITY which causes our vision to be blurred as to what and where we want to go as a Nation.” This fuels crime and helps elevate foreigners over Bahamians. The sale of BTC has strengthened this notion which has taken away many jobs from Bahamians at the Executive levels like C.F.O’s and Legal advisors. Mr. Munroe feels that the people at the top think we Bahamians are of “poor quality”. We must redesign what it means to be a Bahamian and we outsource too many jobs which many local Bahamians can do at a 1st class level.

Mr. Munroe believes that the identity problem is a recent problem that started 20 years ago, which he feels started after Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield and Sir Lynden O. Pindling began their political struggle. The primary goal of politician’s sense then was to simply maintain power. There are other National issues to resolve like the College of the Bahamas not being a money making institution. This should not be the primary focus of the institution. There is a financial Aid issue which prevents persons from applying until after the 1st semester. This doesn’t allow persons who need it the opportunity to receive it because they can’t pay for the 1st semester to begin with. Young mothers can’t attend COB full-time and this isn’t encouraging to people who are trying to better themselves. They should encourage education more!!! The government paid for persons to be educated back in the “day”. Educational opportunities should not be limited to the wealthy.

Why the D.N.A. is best suited for the country?

Compared to the alternative choices we are the best party in the country because we have 2 party leaders who think they are the BRIDGE and the

other thinks that he is SIMPLY the BEST. These parties have minimized their young leaders in an effort to retain power. As a matter of principal and honour Mr. McCartney couldn’t abide to what was happening in the FNM. He is not of the same make up like Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie. The D.N.A. party has committed to Term Limits and will encourage younger persons to lead. “If I don’t train 3 individuals to take over after me I have failed my country because I didn’t train anyone to replace me.” He feels that the D.N.A. will bring about positive change and has a long term vision for the country.

As a Lawyer do you support Capital Punishment?

He supports capital punishment not because he thinks it will reduce crime because statistical data proves that it doesn’t but financially it favours our country because it take $20,000 per year to house and feed a convicted inmate and that money can be used the help young men and women in our society who want to do positive things locally. Capital Punishment can be done with support of the Privy Council who have given death warrants to countries like Singapore and Malaysia. It must be done proportionate and within 5 years. “It’s not very difficult”

We must stop signing onto the Inter-American Human Rights Organization which is delinquent in returning their decisions. The person applies to this organization which can take them over the 5 years limitation. There are a few steps we need to take and within 2 to 3 years a convicted murderer can be sent to the gallows. “We must not look at this as a bad thing because we all must die one day. The convicted inmate will know the date appointed to them for their death and can get their soul right for whomever they feel as if is their maker. This is something that his victim never had the right of having.”

Mrs. Turner was born in the historic district of the POND, which is located just off of East Bay Street between the two bridges to Paradise Island. She spent the first seven years of her life as an infant on Long Island with her grandparents whom her maternal grandfather was a Family Island Commissioner. She then returned to Nassau to attend Kingsway Academy, which was then located on Dowdeswell Street where Bay Street Garage is presently located. Two years later historically her older brother was the first black student to enter the historic school of St. Andrew’s. Two years later she then followed her brother’s footsteps along with her sister that precedes her.

This made the Butler family the first Black family to enter and graduate from St. Andrew’s School post 1967. She then attended College at the New England Institute in Boston, Massachusetts where she attained a Bachelors of Science degree in Mortuary Science and was able to do a complete program with Business Administration.

Why did you decide to enter politics?I never made it a personal decision to become a politician but as an up and coming student she was constantly pushed into either politics or law due to family history. Her family was heavily involved in politics as her grandfather was the late Sir Milo Butler. She was a part of the debating society which consisted of 3 persons including Carl BETHEL and another female in the 1970’s and they were National Champions as well. Her first love was theatre but this wasn’t encouraged from a family perspective to enter theatrics.

Mrs. Turner got the political bug in 1992 but didn’t decide to enter front line politics until after influence from the then Member of Parliament for St. Margaret Sylvia Scriven in 2002. The decision was made with her husband to serve the people of The Bahamas.

Why did you decide to run in Long Island in this upcoming election rather than Montague?I would have done anything in the world to stay in Montague to run on my accomplishments and programs achieved in Montague during the course of my 5 years. But being a part of a political organization it is not about you it is a team effort and the team needed me to go and bring Long Island home. I was identified because of my ties and connection there and it is very near and dear to my heart.

Why do you think the people of Long Island should support you in the upcoming General election and what are some of your plans for the island?Well when I wanted to enter front line politics in 2002, my first choice was Long Island but was persuaded not to due to the amount of

travelling it would take and the ages of my young children. After reviewing and examining the island I feel that some of the aims and objectives are getting Long Islanders back to work. A large population of women use to be homemakers because their husbands were the only bread winners in most cases, but sense the recent challenges fishermen have been facing even women want to enter the labor force on the island. I plan to go about getting jobs by providing the infrastructure and financial opportunities needed for people like the jump start and fresh start program because Long Islanders are very creative and hard-working people. They need a port of entry status that they have so long wanted to have. A new airport in Deadmans Cay and the possibility of cruise ships to port on the Island to tour the world famous “Deans Blue Hole”. Geographically Long Island is in the route of Cruise ships that travel from North America to the Southern Caribbean. There will be some exciting challenges and Long Island will come into its’ own and I will also encourage decedents of Long Island to return and help rebuild Long Island.

Why do you think the Free National Movement is the best party suited to run the country for the next 5 years?The last 5 years is a very clear indication that the Free National Movement is the best party suited to run the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. If you look at what has happened around the world and the countries that have fallen; the Bahamas under this government despite the recession has been very resilient. We have the distinction of being 1 of 4 countries who haven’t laid off any civil servants what so ever. The International Labor Organization has recognized the Bahamas for its job training and repositioning of individuals in the workforce. It also uses it as a benchmark for best practices. The Bahamas has realized that a huge stimulus package is needed to keep the country fresh and prepared for when the

rebound happens. We have been able to bring in the new Genesis of cruise ships here despite the recession, so our cruise ship numbers have gone up significantly. If you look at what we have done with the road and infrastructure improvements which has been able to bring fresh and portable water to Bahamians throughout New Providence. It is without question that the Free National Movement is the party that is able to deliver even in difficult times.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing Bahamians today and what do you think needs to be done to resolve it?I think the root cause of many problems today in the Bahamas lies in the breakdown of our family structure. Out of that emanates many challenges such as crime and domestic violence in our communities. The basic building block of our society is the family unit and until we can strengthen that or move that from being a dysfunctional body we will continue to suffer the social fall out. Teenage pregnancies, young men being incarcerated, the rise of young women being involved in crime, the overflow of young women and men in the Wallamae Pratt and Simpson Penn School for boys can all be harkened back essentially to family values. The core values of our Christian heritage have been removed and we must move back to the golden rule which is “DOING UNTO OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD HAVE TEM DO UNTO YOU”

Do you think the Bahamas is ready for a female Prime Minister?Is a woman ready to be the Prime Minster of the Bahamas? I think that at the end of the day people will not judge the leadership of their country based on gender. They will judge it based on the ability and capacity to lead. I would not like to see a person elected as Prime Minister simply because they are a woman. I would fully support it and I am 100% behind it because I believe in gender equality but let us all be measured by the same measuring stick. I believe a woman has to do so much more to prove herself in this arena particularly. Let us be fair and as a community and nation look at who are the best persons out there, and if there are women out there willing to step up to the plate, the Bahamas should be willing to go with the best person there is to lead the country.

What would you want your legacy to be as the Minister of State for Labor & Social Development?I would like to see from the Social Development stand point a country where we love one another, were we are able to eradicate most of the social ills we are going through and we are able to respect and live peaceably together with one another.

“I think that at the end of the day people will not judge the leadership of their country based on gender. They will judge it based on the ability and capacity to lead”

Just like typical Bahamians, but inexplicable for me, we were late for the interview I managed to secure with Senator Jerome Fitzgerald. I had emailed him ahead of time explaining that I was running a bit late and apologized only to be told, “I am waiting!!”

I rushed through what seemed like ‘never ending’ traffic and arrived at his office hoping that the Senator would not be too upset. Thankfully he wasn’t and was ready to begin. Dressed casually in a button down and jeans, he greeted us and waited patiently for us to get ready. When I was ready, I told him I would start off with general questions, unfortunately I came out of the ball park with my questions and caught him off guard; only to be asked jokingly, “Is this what you call general questions?”

After breaking the ice, we were ready to begin and I’m sure he definitely was because he waited at least 30 minutes for us.

If there are 5 things you can change about the Bahamas, what would they be and why?

1. Set an election day: I don’t like this guessing game that goes on and how Election Day is used to manipulate elections. 2. A truly independent boundaries committee: so that boundaries can only be changed every 15 years. 3. Office of PM: I’d like to see it confined to two terms (10 years). 4. Under the constitution: I’d like to see that women have the same rights as men. 5. Criminal matters: the Bahamian Court of Appeal should be the final court of appeal for criminal matters.

Interview done by Dawn Demeritte

What attracted you to the Progressive Liberal Party?I’ve always felt the PLP was socially minded and also very progressive of the promotion of putting Bahamians first and I was always attracted to it as a Nationalist Party.Why do you think the people in your area should elect you?Firstly, let me tell you why I decided to run in Marathon. I decided to run in Marathon because my family business was there for over 20 years and I felt very comfortable. Marathon is one of the most unique seats in the Bahamas where there is an economic challenge because you have the middle, upper and lower class all present.

It’s also a difficult seat because you have to be able to relate to persons with different socio economic backgrounds. The next thing is that, I thought I possessed a unique understanding of the challenges especially in the Peardale and Pinedale area, as well as an understanding of the dreams and aspirations of the persons there. In addition to the challenges the middle class face on a day to day basis. I felt that I was best suited to represent them.

Why do you think your party is suited for the next 5 years?The Progressive Liberal party is not best for the next 5 years

but the next 15 years, the agenda of the PLP as it affects crime and the economy are areas we’ve had an issue with in the past. The PLP made a lot of good policy decisions which were intended for the Bahamian people but couldn’t possibly be accomplished in the 5 year period. Then the incumbent government cancelled or changed the policies putting the country itself back years. We need time for our plans to have the impact we expect them to have, both socially and economically.

What are your national plans for the Bahamas?Nationally there are a couple areas we need to focus on. Firstly we need to focus on our educational platform we need to revisit and revamp our educational structure so it’s more conducive to the realities of the work force and the economy. In doing that we have to improve and expand our preschools so that we begin to up bring our kids in the school systems at an earlier year.

We also have to begin to stream our kids in the technical field a lot earlier - from grade 9 or 10; we need to make sure we have at least 3 technical schools in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama. Bearing in mind everyone is creative in their own way; being book smart is not the only way to measure the intelligence or capabilities of our kids. We need to ensure by the time they graduate they have 3-4 years of technical training, so they’re sufficiently trained by time as they graduate.

We also need to look more closely at agriculture and mariculture to focus more on being producers. To the point where we have to ensure a certain percentage of what we consume is produced here. Manufacturing also needs to be focused on.

Lastly, we need to become more energy efficient, we have to move into more energy efficient means. This will then cut down on electricity bills for a lot of hard working Bahamians and it reduces our demand for foreign exchange which puts less pressure on foreign reserves and allows us to have that money to invest in other areas.

Do you think the Bahamas is ready for a Haitian-Bahamian Prime Minister?Based on the number of Bahamians who are of Haitian parentage, probably within the next election or so we’ll probably have a Member of Parliament who is of Haitian parentage.

As time goes on and we stop feeling emotion towards Bahamians of Haitian parentage and we have a strong Immigration policy that is respected and understood, we’ll be able to take the emotion out of the issue itself.

We’re still some way away from being ready. In my opinion you just need to have the right type of individual that makes it easy to remove the emotion out of these type issues. I think we’re ready for a white Prime Minister and a woman Prime Minister. It’s a certain type of individual that allows persons to see past race or color. Until that person comes along, we won’t be able to breakdown the emotion that lies in between it.

According to the noise in the market, Perry Christie isn’t a strong enough leader to become Prime Minister, do you agree with this statement?

You can’t be leader of the PLP and not be strong! I hear the talks. The PLP is the oldest political party in the Bahamas. We have a history of very strong men and women, many of whom are still involved in the political struggle. There is no way that someone that isn’t strong could gather over 80 percent of votes at our last convention.

Do you think there’s space for a third party in the Bahamas?There is space, if you have the right personalities and the right nationally political persons. Unfortunately for Branville, he’s the only one in his party and it’s not sufficient.

What do you think about the Democratic National Alliance?It will be interesting to see how they hold up under the pressures of

the machinery of both major political parties. To date we haven’t seen that yet, to see whether or not there is space for a third party. I think if Branville is able to hold on to his seat, I think that will be a personal accomplishment for him, but I highly doubt they will win any seat in New Providence.

Ingraham made it difficult for Branville when he cut down the seats and expanded the constituencies. In order for the DNA to win any seat in New Providence, they’d have to secure at least 1500 votes in a constituency and it will be difficult. They’d have to get every independent vote in the constituencies and I don’t see that happening.

Any last words?

You didn’t ask me if I plan on winning Marathon, and of course I do.

Name: Senator Jerome Kennedy Fitzgerald

About: Mr. Fitzgerald was born on the April 3rd, 1966 on New Providence Island, Nassau, Bahamas. He is married to Zarina Fitzgerald and they have three lovely children together Edward, Jared and Zara.

Political Highlights: Appointed to the Senate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on 21st May, 2007. Vied for the Deputy Leadership in the Progressive Liberal Party in 2009

In 1967, after receiving a disheartening loss five years earlier in which they were able to win the popular vote by a 7% margin but still lost the election due to the layout of the constituencies, the Progressive Liberal Party was able to hold the reigning UBP party to a draw – and subsequently win the government after some political wrangling for the two independents in the race.

The party was the beneficiary of a relatively weak showing by the independents in the race. Compared to the prior elections in 1962, the independent vote had dropped over 50% from 15.7% of the electorate to 7.2%. The PLP received a boost of 6% from that 8% shift in votes while the UBP garnered the remaining 2%. With fortunes reversed, the PLP held the 1967 elections to a draw despite the fact that they lost the popular vote by 2.2%. That 6% swing towards the PLP sealed the political fate of our nation for decades to come.

Since then, every governmental change in this country has been decided by the undecideds. The upcoming election is no exception.

Recent polling in the Bahamas has suggested that the major parties are in a dead heat, with the FNM enjoying a slight but statistically insignificant lead over the PLP, while the DNA is also within striking distance of the PLP. What should be noted in these polls, however, is that a whopping 30% of the

electorate is identified as undecided. These are the king-makers - the ones who will decide the outcome of this election. The election will not be decided by the bases of the parties, but by the amount of non-politically affiliated people that the parties win over with their arguments. Of course, we should take the results of a single poll with a grain of salt, as a single poll, even a scientifically conducted one, is severely limited in conveying an accurate sense of the dynamics of an election. Even the answers given to pollsters can be called into question, as voters are likely to refer to themselves as “undecided” in order to seem beyond party politics or to avoid revealing sensitive information about themselves.

Furthermore, when we talk about a swing vote in the Bahamas, it is important to note that the general shift in voting percentages is not as important as where the largest shifts in the vote occur. For example, given the recent changes in

the boundaries, it is a possibility that the current government could win the election without winning the popular vote due to the boundary changes they made that decidedly narrowed the opposition’s pathway to victory. So a general swing in the opposition’s direction does not necessarily translate into a victory if the swing does not occur in the right constituencies.

A large determining factor in all of this, as in the elections of 1962, will be the strength of the third parties and independents in convincing enough people to vote for them to sway the results of the election or even win a few seats. The main player here is the Democratic National Alliance who is expected to hurt the FNM more than the PLP, although that is not a given as the DNA’s populist, anti-establishment rhetoric is also attractive to many grass-roots voters. The more people attracted by the DNA, the more unpredictable this election will become.

Of course, the likely winners of the election will ultimately be the Free National Movement or the Progressive Liberal Party. Will the swing vote be attracted to the FNM’s message of trusted leadership and delivery versus the PLP’s weak leadership and past of corruption or will the PLP be able to win the day by focusing on the FNM’s struggles with the economy and crime while highlighting their people-centred ideas and team of young leaders? I guess we’ll find out on May 7th.

The year was 1977 when the political journey and legacy of two great Bahamian men began. It was Tuesday, July 19th, 1977 when Hubert A. Ingraham and Perry G. Christie were elected to the house of Assembly for the very first time. The ‘77 election was a landslide victory for the Progressive Liberal Party following an administration that brought Independence to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The Progressive Liberal Party won 30 of the 38 seats in that election, including East Centreville and Coopers Town (Abaco). The country at that time was destined to achieve even higher heights and solidify its place as the premier country in the Caribbean region. Both Hubert Alexander Ingraham and Perry Gladstone Christie had the same ambition and passion to take our country to those new heights. Not many will argue with the fact that both of these men have shown their ability to overcome incredible odds placed before them in their adolescent years.

Mr. Christie is without question a people’s person, with a charismatic attitude and likable personality. These impeccable attributes are the key reasons why he has served the constituents of Centreville/Farm Road for the past 34 years. He has weathered many political storms that many men would not have survived throughout his political career. In 2009 after mounting pressure to step down after the parties defeat at the polls in 2007, Mr. Christie was able to gander over 80% of the delegate votes at the parties National Convention. He was challenged by Dr. Bernard Nottage and Paul Moss. Even as a young boy

he overcame odds and challenges faced before him. Mr. Christie was dismissed from the Government High-school but didn’t let that set back stop him from pursuing his lifelong dreams. He has shown a resilient attitude that some may find comforting in a leader. Mr. Christie served as a Senator in November of 1974 until June 1977 and also as Minister of Health & National Insurance, Minister of Tourism and in 1990 he was named as Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. As Prime Minister in 2002 he implemented “Urban Renewal”, which was a National program centred on social transformation within the community to empower all Bahamians. This program had been credited with helping to improve the social fabric of our country at the time.

Decisive, diligent and frank are just a few of the attributes used to describe Hubert A. Ingraham. He has shown that he is a person of action no matter the circumstance. The constituents of North Abaco have always had good representation from a Native son who has always remembered where his roots are. Like Perry Christie, Hubert Ingraham has stood the test of time and succeeded when all the odds were placed against him. Mr. Ingraham studied law in

Nassau and was called to the Bahamas Bar at age 25. In 1977 he served as Chairman of the PLP on the heels of his 1st victory as the Member of Parliament for the then named constituency of Cooper Town, now renamed as North Abaco. After resigning from the Progressive Liberal Party in 1986 along with Perry Christie, he retained the North Abaco seat and proved once again his desire and will to preserver when at a time standing up against Sir. Lynden O. Pindling was political suicide. As Prime Minister, he transformed the country socially and financially by liberating the airwaves for all media and allowing the Atlantis Paradise Island project to begin, which made the Bahamas the tourism Mecca in the Caribbean.

This upcoming election will likely be the LAST time both of these men offer themselves as leaders for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It has been a long and eventful political journey for both of these men but indeed it must come to an end. The legacy of both of these men will be engraved in Bahamian history after this election. If Mr. Ingraham is victorious this will mean he can potentially serve as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for four (4) terms, which will equal to the same amount of terms Sir. Lynden O. Pindling served as Prime Minister. For Mr. Christie this will serve as redemption for the set back

in the 2007 general election and once again prove to everyone he can come back from incredible odds. This will also remove his blemish of being a one term Prime Minister and prove that he is indeed a good leader. But in victory or defeat both Mr. Christie and Mr. Ingraham will walk away from front line politics before the 2017 election, and give way to new leaders in their respective parties. As the hour glass dwindles we all hope that both of these men have groomed and mentored individuals in their party who they believe has the ability to one day lead our Nation like themselves. Sir Lynden O. Pindling identified both of these men as leaders and they both proved to be the cream of the crop. As Sir Lynden said in his farewell speech from the House of Assembly on July 7th, 1997, “I am now done, Madame Speaker. I have reached the end of my political journey. I have run my course. I did my best.” We, as Bahamians, look forward to an emergence of new leaders in our country who will take us to even higher heights as a Nation based on the foundation of moving FORWARD, UPWARD, ONWARD and TOGETHER.

I am a Bahamian: a proud and strong Bahamian woman born to two Bahamian parents. As a Bahamian I am territorial when it comes to my country, as I only want the best. I am critical of all that does not seem to mean ‘our country’ well. When I thought about this question, I thought about all that is good in The Bahamas and I thought about all that is appalling. However, as a Bahamian who only wants the best for my country, I personally welcome any candidate that can take us from where we are and continuously move us forward to a better Bahamas.

Change can come in many different races, nationalities, creeds or genders. With that being said, The Bahamas is a country of immigrants and we are all to blame for this. It is only when we accept who we are that we can accept others; the Haitian-Bahamian problem, or lack of a sensible solution, has been one that has been impacting our progression as ‘Bahamians’ from the 18th century because we seem to blame all that is wrong on “them” rather than assuming the blame.

It is a poignant issue, as Bahamians, like myself, are very protective people that are simply fed up with the apparent disrespect of the Bahamian laws by illegal immigrants, mostly Haitians sense they are the leading Nationality who illegally enter our country. Because of this issue, we tend to take out our frustrations on all Haitians, creating a very uncomfortable situation for Haitians to live in. However, we as Bahamians need to realize that not all Haitian’s are alike, i.e., not all came here illegally, or see ‘our country’ through the same prism. Many love the Bahamas more than they love Haiti, and the Bahamas is the only home they know, even though Bahamians have not been the easiest neighbors to deal with.

Our anger is not only misdirected but erroneous; instead of being irate at persons trying to build themselves a better life, we should be mad at every government that came to power and has failed to regulate immigration laws. We should, more importantly, be upset with ourselves for not demanding more. In 2012, it is safe to say that we do not have a substantial immigration policy to halt the influx of illegal immigrants and it is because of this that we are either close to being (if not already) outnumbered by undocumented immigrants.

A small poll which was conducted online a few weeks ago that asked Bahamians whether or not they were ready for a Haitian Bahamian Prime Minister. This poll proved that Bahamians are still very much afraid of Haitians “taking over” their country. One person who identified themselves as a Haitian-Bahamian went into

detail about being a victim of ‘black on black’ racism and being on the receiving end of hate just because her parents were from Haiti.

Ironically enough, a study conducted in 2004 by the International Organization of Migration, in conjunction with researchers from the College of Bahamas, identified that the current estimated size of the Haitian-Bahamian population stood between 80,000 to 400,000 which is more than the entire ‘official’ Bahamian population. This study was done exactly eight years ago, which means that the number has likely increased since then; our very fears have come true. Now what?

The question remains, “Are we as Bahamians ready for a Haitian Bahamian Prime Minister?” Sadly, the majority of ‘Bahamians’ are not. In this society where anger and some suspicion separate different nationalities from living together as one, it is simply inconceivable at this juncture to believe that any Bahamian will willfully vote for someone who is a known Haitian-Bahamian.

Another poll was conducted, asking Haitian-Bahamians if they felt that Bahamians were ready to accept them as more than immigrants, which validate what Bahamians felt - that tensions are simply too high. A Haitian-Bahamian candidate would need to prove, first and foremost, that his allegiance is unequivocally to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and that he has absolutely no interest in allowing the further blatant disregard for The Bahamas’ immigration laws.

Martin Luther King once said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” In The Bahamas, we do have an immigration problem but we have also been victims of successive governments who failed to properly protect our interests and resolutely address this potentially explosive situation.

We cannot be angry at persons who are simply seeking a better way of life for themselves; we must take the blame and hang our heads in shame. If a candidate presents himself as the right person for the job, to lead the Bahamas out of the state it is currently in into a more progressive state, his parentage should not be a cause of concern to us and we should welcome him with open arms.

Although change is inevitable, this is a change that I believe we, as Bahamians, are simply not ready for at this time.

By: Dawn Demeritte

Our next issue will be available on July 28th, 2012 entitled “Getting Adjusted”. This issue will give an overview of the 2012 General Election and what all has been done thus far by the governing administration.

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