“The Sea”, writes Derek Walcott, “is history” and in doing so he not only reflects on the “tidal waves” and “shards” of past colonialism that shackled the Caribbean: he also points to the ways this history continue to shackle the region. This includes present day Caribbean politicians. As Walcott writes: “One morning the Caribbean was cut up by seven prime ministers who bought the sea in bolts....”Ever since Columbus everyone has been trying to buy and sell the Caribbean!
Walcott may not have had the Turks and Caicos Prime Minister in mind, but his poetic imagery carries a timely ring given the present debacle on this British territory. History has a strange way of repeating or reinventing itself as we can see with the imposition of direct rule by Britain on Turks & Caicos. Memories of the suspension of the constitution of Guyana in the sixties come to my mind, and to a lesser extent that of the invasion of Grenada.
In the case of the Turks and Caicos islands, politicians have been accused of being corrupt (selling crown land which was stolen in the first instance from the original inhabitants) and of irresponsible governance. And since Britannia still rule the waves (or is attempting to do so) around these islands then “to hell with democracy” and “due process” in addressing these charges. “We must teach these bloody natives a good lesson. So how about imposing direct rule, and then on our time determine when they are ready to again handle their own affairs.”
While not removing responsibility from the native politicians, this whole debacle smacks of hypocrisy. “What is the difference,” I ask myself, “between the corruption and sleaze of British politicians as revealed in our own recent and continuing scandals here in Britain and that of politicians and governance on these small Caribbean islands, albeit British territory?” Who will impose direct rule on parliament here in Britain to save the population from the lies and arrogance of smooth talking politicians? House cleaning is more meaningful and effective when it starts closer at home – especially since so much is imploding right on our own turf and before our eyes.
© copyright Jagessar August 16 2009
