This month has been quite eventful in Bahamian politics to say the least, with numerous reports documenting statements by diverse individuals on myriad issues of national importance. The debates have not only been revealing but they have also further revealed the beauty of the democracy we enjoy as an independent nation.
In the midst of the discussions, it is important to consider whether the utterances made have been based on convictions or constitute mere political rhetoric. We must also ask ourselves whether there has been a paradigm shift in our way of thinking and the status quo in politicking is slowly giving way to objectivity in the national interest.
Activism in the early days
The freedom, liberties and privileges we enjoy as a politically independent nation were obtained from the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors. Indeed the popular African adage which states that if we stand tall, it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us or on the shoulders of many ancestors clearly describes this fact.
Our forefathers and foremothers made sacrifices and were prepared to stand alone to their own personal detriment for causes they believed in. The stances they took were grounded in the belief that their labor and pain were prices worth paying for the betterment of our commonwealth. Inadvertently or consciously considering the biblical passage that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed, they endured ridicules, criticisms and persecutions for the sake of future generations of Bahamians. Events such as the Burma Road Riot, the General Strike and Black Tuesday, just to mention a few, stand out as demonstrations of genuine struggles for the advancement of the Bahamian people.
The comfort and curse of success
There is a perceived notion that the level of success we have attained over the years from an economic and political perspective has made us complacent as a people. There is no doubt that we are blessed to enjoy a stable democracy, third highest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere and a high standard of living combined with the fact that we are strategically located as the gateway to the Americas. However, does this mean that there is nothing else to strive for? Can we rest on our laurels and simply do nothing to improve the lives of our people? In essence, have we arrived as a nation?
The recent financial crisis and the Great Recession, among other events, have highlighted some of our vulnerabilities and the proverbial chinks in our armor. From economic, political and social perspectives, there remain several areas in which we are behind the rest of the world including gender equality, political maturity, economic empowerment of our people, accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and progressive taxation. Unfortunately, we seem to have adopted a mentality that suggests that we need not do much more and we can survive in isolation from the global village and our regional counterparts.
Political expediency in The Bahamas
This writer has been consistent in stating that we no longer need politicians in the traditional sense due to their myopic vision and shortsighted nature. The Bahamas requires statesmen and stateswomen in this new era to propel her to the next level of greatness. We know that politicians have their eyes set on the next election while statesmen and stateswomen focus on the next generation. The new generation of Bahamians is weary of political maneuvers and games; we seek political leaders that have their hands on the pulse of the people and are prepared to stand up for them against all odds - like the Bahamian politicians of old whose sacrifice affords today's Bahamians privileged lifestyles.
At this juncture, it is important that reference is made to the political debates on tax reform, gambling by Bahamians, sexual preference and violence against women and girls in recent times. We must be cognizant of the fact that an important trait of any true leader and aspiring leaders must be conviction and passion for causes that they promote or oppose in the best interests of the people they lead. In this regard, our leaders must note that the people will remember the positions they took even when these were unpopular, controversial or deviated from that of their political parties or groups to which they are affiliated. Such positions must be grounded in logic, justice and righteousness and must not be selfishly motivated, but result in benefitting the Bahamian majority.

It is also worth noting that people often remember the silence of those who gave no opinion either for or against.
The voice of Bahamian women
We, the women of this great country have a rich history and have inherited an admirable legacy from our foremothers; in particular, we continue to honor the women of the suffrage movement. A large delegation of Bahamian women recently attended the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). It is worth stating that the delegation of women consisted of individuals of diverse backgrounds and political affiliations with a common goal to see the empowerment and advancement of women in The Bahamas. This emphasizes the point that true activism should extend beyond status and affiliations that so readily divide us.
The theme for the 57th Session of the CSW last year was the "elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls". This important topic was the focal point of two articles published in The Nassau Guardian on May 28 and November 6 2013 respectively. Bahamian women also united in bringing more awareness in this regard with a week of activities including the launch of Orange Day last year as the Zonta Clubs of Nassau took the lead in this regard.
The condemnation of the ill-advised comments by a member of Parliament in the House of Assembly on alleged violence against a woman have been in order and will hopefully serve as a message to persons that the Bahamian people take this matter seriously and will not tolerate any form of violence against women and girls. In the aftermath of the apologies rendered, Bahamian men and women must not stop creating awareness and working together to achieve gender equality and end this barbaric act of violence. More importantly, it is incumbent upon more Bahamians - particularly those in leadership, to exercise the aforementioned spirit of our forefathers and foremothers and express opposition to words or actions that threaten the peace and tranquility of our society and communities.
The champions of the masses
In every generation, individuals of conviction, passion and principle emerge to defend the commoners and fight for causes that promote their wellbeing. They sometimes stand alone and are labeled as rebellious or branded as outcasts for what they believe in. The roads they travel are not easy or comfortable. Nevertheless, these are challenging times in which more than ever before the people of The Bahamas are seeking activists and true advocates who will emerge as their champions. The heroes of the new generation of Bahamians will be assessed based on the following words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Are we witnessing the re-emergence of true activism and conviction in The Bahamas or are the recent events isolated? Only time will tell.

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