The Tribune

By Rashad Rolle

VANESSA Heal is a patriot.

Since the countdown to the 40th Anniversary of Independence started, she has been wearing Bahamian colours: aqua, yellow and black.

“I couldn’t even wait until Father’s Day ended so I could put up the Bahamian decorations because I had just displayed bright colours in recognition of Father’s Day,” she said.

“On Independence Day, I plan to celebrate with my kids in the back of my yard like I always do. My independence wish is to see the crime problem decrease so everyone could be happy.”

Vanessa was one of the Bahamians The Tribune spoke to this week as we took to the streets of New Providence to find out how people are planning to mark the anniversary and what they think about independence.

Michelle Paleomino told The Tribune: “Independence Day is important to celebrate because we are getting older as a nation and need to reflect on our past. But with all the recent bad weather, Independence Day celebrations and preparations have been halted.

“My independence wish would be to see less crime in the country. We’ve come along way in terms of technology and the way the islands of the country are interconnected but the crime problem still needs to be fixed.”

Carson Hepburn said Independence Day was something we need to celebrate as a country.

“I don’t think the we are 100 per cent independent however. For us to become more independent, we have to make our own laws and we can’t hang on to the Privy Council.

“When you call yourself an independent country you don’t have the name Prime Minister for your foremost leader, but the name President. As long as we represent the Crown, the Queen and don’t get rid of the Governor General and our connections to Britain we can’t be independent.

“Because of this, my independence wish is to see us take the steps to become fully independent which is what we need to move forward as a people.

“Despite this, I would still like for all Bahamians to celebrate and enjoy Independence Day because we have come a long way.”

Esmerlda Lockhart said in the United States the build up to Independence Day is immense but in The Bahamas “you hardly see that same kind of anticipation”.

“And it’s hard to be patriotic and happy about the accomplishments of past governments when current governments don’t appreciate what former governments did for the country, thereby continuing what they started rather than beginning anew,” said Esmerlda.

“They are playing a game with the Bahamas. The members of Parliament also don’t spend enough time with the people the way Ingraham did.

“Furthermore, I don’t think the Christian Council should have the right to say what’s right for the country because they are not doing a good job performing their roles. The Christian Council should be a group of men and women who not only say things but do the things they say as well. I also believe laws in our constitution should be bracketed, indicating that they could be disregarded in certain circumstances because some times you need to change things around so people could benefit from it rather than have these permanent constitutional laws.”

Shandi Devaux said: “I was thinking yesterday about how I don’t know what independence means to me and I think that’s a failure on the part of our leaders.

“I think independence needs to receive more publicity as it does in the United States and other countries. However, I plan to wear the colours of the Bahamas in celebration of independence and to fly a flag on my car - although the last flag I had flew away.”

• HOW are you planning to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Independence? Contact our newsroom by emailing newsroom@tribunemedia.net or calling 5022366.