This past weekend our nation celebrated 43 years since attaining political independence from Great Britain. As we come to expect annually, thousands of Bahamians participated in the festivities and activities organized by governmental bodies while private citizens arranged their own private functions celebrating the occasion.
The road to Independence Day is well documented in our history books and in the sands of time. We must continue to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who have gone before, for indeed the liberties we enjoy in The Bahamas today are the result of their blood, sweat and tears. Despite this realization, there are many Bahamians of a new generation, several born within the last six decades, who question whether we are really free and truly independent.
Reflections on this notion of independence led this writer to the late Robert Nesta Marley (also known as Bob Marley), who sang the song titled "Babylon System". In the song, Marley speaks for those who he believed to be the disenfranchised in society and the need to challenge the status quo; a system that seeks to keep the masses in bondage mentally, socially and economically. The Babylon System as described by Marley and other commentators, functions to benefit a small minority while the majority suffers. It primarily represents a flawed and oppressive system of non-traditional slavery that takes on a disguised form. Although slavery has been abolished the world over, its reincarnation is shown in the impoverishing of people under a system that promotes social welfare over economic empowerment and financial independence.
Trodding on the winepress
The first verse of Babylon System highlights the inequities that exist and abound while the powers that be create a mirage and pontificate the existence of equal opportunity. In response to the tyranny of the modern day slave masters Marley eloquently declares "we refuse to be what you want us to be, we are what we are and that's the way it's going to be. You can't educate us about equal opportunity, talking 'bout freedom and liberty". In his charge, Marley announces to the powers that be that there is a group of people who have finally had their fill of the system of bondage that seeks to disenfranchise them. In this scenario, the people have determined what their definition of freedom is and not what is being spoon-fed by the keepers of a deficient system.
In the chorus of the song, Marley acknowledges that this group of people has been "trodding on the winepress much too long" and encourages a rebellion. This description is better understood when considered closely in the context of words contained therein. A winepress is an object used to extract juice from grapes and the phrase "trodding on the winepress" references the fact that something has been done a particular way, the same way for too long. In essence, Marley's song expresses the sentiment that the people have been giving too much but receiving less or nothing in return; hence the time has come to rebel.
The true essence of the narrative
Lest anyone erroneously suggests that Marley or by extension this writer is encouraging violence or an uprising against those in authority, it should be made clear that this is not an incitement of unruly behavior by anyone. In fact, the reverse is true; the call is one of civility and respect for others in challenging the status quo, a confrontation of a primitive mindset that has been indoctrinated in our people. The song urges a challenge to a thought process that perpetuates a society where citizens are borrowers and not lenders in their own society, the tail and not the head - laborers for the most part and not owners.
We continue to witness the economic oppression of our people and now with our current fiscal woes, it is not unforeseeable to see that the economic slavery we face on a micro level evolve into economic slavery at the macro level, creating a perfect economic storm. The reality is, the more you keep the people dependent within a system, the greater the likelihood that the system will have to pay to keep the people. This is why the system must be challenged to bring about a change; otherwise, we will continue to witness the widening of the gap between the haves and the haves not. Marley calls for a people who will seek to rule their own destiny and tear down the walls and barriers that prevent a people from being truly free and independent.
Babylon system a vampire
The description of the Babylon System as a "vampire" is telling, as it likens the system unto the predatory ways of a vampire who sucks the blood of a human being. The vampire takes advantage of people. In this regard, Marley asserts that the system sucks the life out of people who are suffering. In today's society, we are witnessing the unveiling of a false economy revealed by the onslaught of the Great Recession. Thousands of Bahamians who held "good paying" jobs in the tourism and financial services industries have lost their jobs for multiple reasons. Consequently, many Bahamians have lost their homes and other possessions with the accompanying decision of having to take their children out of private school while others are simply unable to afford higher education or have lost their businesses.
The Great Recession magnified the reality in The Bahamas that the major industries of our economy are not owned by Bahamians; hence we are subject to the dictates or goodwill of foreign interests. One can describe the reality as an economic colonization that has been systematically entrenched by successive government administrations who have failed to truly create an independent society for the benefit of our people.
Deceiving our people
In the second verse of his song reads: "The Babylon System is a vampire, sucking the blood of the sufferer... building church and university, deceiving our children continually... graduating thieves and murderers, sucking the blood of the sufferer."
Marley draws attention to the institutions in society that have failed to bring about a desired result in the best interest of the masses. He suggests that the powers that be are deceiving the masses by the very presence of the institutions as we witness a rise in criminality in our societies. As such, we are not producing citizens to build up and improve society; rather we are grooming predators like thieves and murderers at all levels of society to be a menace. While this may seem exaggerated, there are indeed many truths to this within our society.
Tell the truth
The critique in the Babylon System concludes by encouraging the powers that be to "tell the children the truth". That is, let the people know that the policies that are in place will not bring about the desired freedom and independence that the masses seek. Tell the truth, that the system benefits a small few and that to make the necessary changes will impact their bottom lines so to speak.
Tell the truth, that true education of the masses threatens the power structure and sustenance of the elite wealth and political classes. Tell the truth that expansion of the wealth among the masses threatens the greed and power of the elite wealthy and political classes. Tell the truth that economic independence under the current status quo is an intentional illusion that sounds good wrapped up in nice quotes and slogans but in reality scares the keepers of the status quo.
A Jewish analogy
Biblical scholars will note that the Jews, who were led into Babylonian captivity and remained there for 70 years emerged from exile to rebuild the ruins Ezra the priest taught the people the word of God, Nehemiah - a cupbearer in the king's palace led the delegation to rebuild the wall and Zerubbabel, governor of Judah presided over the rebuilding of Solomon's temple. And it was proclaimed, that the glory of the latter house, referring to the temple would be greater than the former. Even though, there was opposition to these movements by persons who wanted to maintain the status quo, progress was made and victory was the result of these parties working together.
The Bahamian people ought to consider whether the current system remains effective in leading us upward and onwards together towards a common loftier goal. We must decide to peacefully challenge a system that is losing its relevance in the 21st century. It is time to demand the change that we want and fight for a new order. We must reject the status quo, pursue, conquer and takeover in the name of the masses. The second version of the Quiet Revolution must be just as peaceful and cordial with an understanding that we need not fight with our fists but with our intellect and pure conscience. In the final analysis, we must respect the Babylon System as oppressive as it may be until we are able to declare that Babylon has fallen!
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
