The urgent call is to decorate, Bahamas!

Every Bahamian must step up to the plate and own the 42nd anniversary celebration of our independence.
We are terribly lackluster at the present time. The mentality is to pass the buck and say, "The government them". How unfortunate!

The 42nd Independence Anniversary plans are in full swing. Certainly it has already been in the public domain. Dis we Bahamian tings -- let's run with it. I urge the church in our local communities to take the lead within the given community. It's not too late to pull local leaders, in church and community together so as to create a catalyst for excitement. It's now we must take full responsibility to decorate our premises, both in and out, in the national colors (flags and streamers included). There ought to be ecumenical services in all our communities, believing only in the traditional service at the flag raising, on Clifford Park, is backward thinking. Get out of the box.

Let us saturate this country and indeed New Providence with services of thanksgiving. You need no approval from any body to do it.

Business places across the archipelago need to be draped, now. The Bahamas chamber of Commerce should be a leader here. Some sort of a competition may have spurred this on a whole lot more. Could you imagine Bay Street draped from end to end? What about City 2000 (Carmichael Road)? The American franchises must pay homage to The Bahamas in Bahamian drapery.  All our business places must pitch in.

What a wonderful tool in education this would be. Drape the schools -- have flag raising ceremonies in all our schools on all our islands. It's the ideal way to go. It's unfortunate that independence was achieved at the time schools were closed for the summer, so we must redeem this unfortunate timing and seek to indoctrinate our children while they are in school. The English indoctrinated those of my generation and before using the colonial days of observance such as Empire Day.

Today we are limp and lackluster in teaching, advancing and indoctrinating our children. Then we wonder why the lack of national pride and so much ignorance in things Bahamian. The celebration of independence every year, especially at 42, is a great moment in time, to do something intentional.

Members of parliament should step up to the plate, especially on New Providence, where there is no local government. Drape the constituency; it's needed especially its essential buildings. Our communities cry out for leadership. Who will "bell the cat?" We all can't be complainers. Our local people must demand more from those elected to lead.

Additionally, leaders need to make events happen, in the glare of independence. I urge all Bahamians to partake in all of the independence festivities -- show your national pride, get involved.
Now remember, charity begins at home. Let us dress our private property, our homes etc., they can tell the tale. Let us fly the national colors that our roadways will shout out, "Dis We Bahamian Tings." Given neighborhoods can preferably create competitions.

Media houses can help to get out many of the songs written for the celebration. There need not be a competition. Examine the lyrics, and the music. Get permission from the author of the songs and let's blast the airways. 

Let's do whatever it takes as we get out of the mental box that keeps us locked up and retards advancement.
Dis is indeed we tings -- this is our independence. Let us avoid these three deadly words, "The government them."

Now let us advance in the spirit of the four greatest words in our national vocabulary, forward, upward, onward, together.

o Reverend Canon S. Sebastian Campbell is the rector at St. Gregory's Anglican Church.

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