Dear Editor,
The great cultural icon Edmund Moxey has passed away at age 80. He could be described as the rebel who stood against his own political party in trying to effect economic development in the inner city. He was involved in trying to generate hope for the black masses, at a time when the black masses were celebrating Majority Rule but had not yet experienced economic rule.
Moxey was ahead of his time and in his thinking and vision for our country. Is it not past the time we look internally, and ask ourselves what do we want for our people? Are we content to allow the status quo remain? Or do we want to empower our people so that many more can share in the Bahamian dream?
Jumbey Village was simple; it was meant to allow Bahamians to express and showcase their culture and talents in their community while at the same time bringing tourists and tourist dollars Over the Hill. The dream was that Bahamians would be enabled to eventually become their own bosses by earning more from the tourist community, and their communities would benefit exponentially.
As a young businessman Over the Hill, I tasted that dream when a first-time tourist visited my mini Jumbey Village which was located off Soldier Road and spent over $100 on conch salad and food. Could you imagine the immense possibilities if hundreds of tourists came from downtown and visited other parts of New Providence like Fox Hill, Bain, Grants Towns, Soldier Road, etc. and spent that money with me or you daily? That's the Edmund Moxey dream and I support that dream because it is the right thing to do. Like the swing of a pendulum, we must have a shift that carries us away from just empowering the few, and moves us forward, allowing us to empower the masses.
Let's play it forward and imagine what could happen if we moved away from focusing on one small area, and started to expand the possibilities of cultural diversification and economic empowerment island wide, and later nationally. When you speak about Nassau Village, you could tell locals and tourists that's where Rake n' Scrape will be every weekend. Come down learn to play the saw or beat the drums. When you talk about Coconut Grove, you could tell cruise ship passengers they don't need to eat American fast food because 'Mama' could make 'dem some real down home food. They could experience peas and rice, crab and rice, macaroni, plantain, cole slaw, potato salad and a vast variety of meats. And all this while experiencing a Bahamian concert with the likes of Julien Believe and KB. When you talk about Farm Road you could say that the attraction is the people like Miss Daisy. We could advertise that the tourist could also enjoy seeing limbo dancers and fire dancing by a water tower that actually works.
It is a dream, but just because Moxey is no longer with us does not mean his dream must die. Indeed, his dream must live on! Eddie Minnis sang a song, "Different strokes for different folks, every egg got a different yoke." Moxey was a rebel, and I know that there are others who would want to see this dream of a better and more prosperous Bahamas for all Bahamians as well. We must stand up and join hands and hearts, raise our unified voices and demand change.
Leaders are calling him a good man and paying lip service to our fallen son. I say "no more!" No longer should we stand idly by and allow just lip service, let us stand united and petition for real change. Allow the seed that was planted by this great visionary, this cultural giant, Edmund Moxey, to take root. Let us cultivate and nurture this tree, allowing it to rise up and grow tall. Let's allow its branches to spread far and wide, covering the masses and providing life giving fruit to all. Then and only then can we attest to your sincerity when you speak of his greatness. Tell the Royal Governor, Mr. Mo say that! Rise on Bahama Land, Rise on!
- Moses Adam Darville
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