OPINION: National Heroes Deserve Reverence, Not Political Division

The partisan political rhetoric that surrounds the celebration of the great pioneers of this great nation once again smears their respective legacies with the same “waste matter” that is thrown around in the current political sphere. And it seems to be stemming from both ends of the spectrum.

On the one hand, we have the United Progressive Party, who chose to boycott the V. C. Bird Day celebrations in favour of honouring other heroes.

We can recall that they would have instituted ‘National Heroes Day’ to replace V. C. Bird day during their tenure in government; an honourable attempt to recognize the contributions of other national heroes, while retaining reverence to Sir V. C. Bird by having National Heroes Day fall on the birthday of the Father of the nation, an apt tribute, I believe.

On the other hand, we have the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, who continue to champion the legacy of the Right Honourable Doctor Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Senior, father of the nation, founder of their party, and his many accolades, accomplishments, and contributions to the nation as transcendent to all others, having lifted us from colonialism to pursue self-determination.

In their great reverence to “Papa Bird”, they sought to separate the celebration of his life and work from all others, and with logical reason for doing so, by reverting National Heroes Day on December 9^th to V. C. Bird Day, as it originally stood. In further efforts not to desecrate the contributions of our other heroes, National Heroes Day is now celebrated on October 26^th of each year.

Of note, though, is the disparity in which we celebrate Papa Bird compared to our other heroes. The reverence, the pomp and ceremony, and the celebration of our other national heroes on National Heroes Day is beyond lacklustre compared to the celebration of V. C. Bird Day.

So while both parties engage in political grandstanding, using our national heroes, icons and inspirations as cannon fodder, the very legacies we seek to celebrate become desecrated.

Ideally, the legacy of ALL of our national heroes in the National Heroes Day celebrations should be granted equal parity and reverence with V. C. Bird Day celebrations. Only in this way can we celebrate the hard work, commitment and legacies of those who would have gone before us, while still paying appropriate reverence to the Father of the Nation.

All of the combined work, commitment, and efforts toward nation building of our National Heroes should be above and beyond the reach of political grandstanding on both sides.

Let us, as a nation, unite in celebration and reflection of those who would have paved the way before us, and work together to build on their legacies, to create a nation that embodies the ideals they would have fought so hard for. Let us give them all the respect and reverence they deserve.

Concerned Citizen

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