The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”. His quote is very profound in many spheres today despite the fact that 250 years have since passed.

I think it is widely accepted that it only takes a small percentage of perpetrators to commit evil acts, but these acts gain momentum only because the majority of us prefer to whisper in the dark.

I heard about Edmund Moxey before, but I am ashamed as a Bahamian because I never knew the full story behind this cultural giant.

I am sure that there are many more Bahamians out there in the same predicament as me and until Bahamian history is taught in schools, we have to take the initiative and seek knowledge for ourselves.

I am also ashamed of how Moxey was treated. The award-winning documentary, The Price of Being a Man, gives us a glimpse of the cultural giant that Moxey was and how he desperately wanted to empower Bahamians.

As a result of his passion, he developed an idea which eventually resulted in the construction of Jumbey Village, which was on its way to becoming a cultural epicenter in Coconut Grove. Moxey’s dream ended when the then Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) cabinet discontinued funding for the Jumbey Village festival and with it, the continued cultural and social decay of our country.

Many persons will cast blame on then Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling for the project’s end.

And Pindling deserves criticism, but should he bear the full brunt of our anger?

There were many other men in the cabinet standing on the sidelines and saying and doing nothing.

Many of them knew Moxey’s dream of community building and cultural expression was just what the country needed at the time, but they were complicit in ensuring that his aspirations came to an abrupt end.

Even today, there are persons in positions of authority in many organisations that go against their convictions and allow evil to nest. Jumbey Village sadly is gone and we have lost almost 40 years of potential cultural and community developmental growth.

It does not help us to linger on what could have been, but rather ensure that Moxey’s story is taught to all generations so that the same mistakes will not be repeated.

There are other stories that are starkly similar to what Moxey and his family had to endure; and kudos to the Moxeys for working hard to remain productive citizens in the face of insurmountable odds.

But let us focus on the positive actions that can be harnessed as a result of Moxey’s death. I think it is time for us as a nation to acknowledge our wrongdoings and push forward with the best ideas and the brightest Bahamians at the forefront.

You see, Moxey forgave his rivals years ago, but they never forgave him.

Prime Minister Christie, Dame Marguerite Pindling and many others can use the death of Moxey to commence the process of national healing.

How profound it could be if they publicly admit that Moxey and his family were victimised by influential members of the PLP, public servants and by many ordinary citizens in society.

How profound for our country if a beckon call was made to the many others today who are still victimising citizens because they express differing views on national subjects.

These noble acts if executed and are genuine would certainly move the country forward and re-energise Moxey’s dream which can still become a reality, even today.

DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

July 23, 2014.