GUEST COMMENTARY: BY LEON WILLIAMS
EDITOR’S NOTE: Leon R. Williams, whose opinions I highly respect, posted this opinion piece on Facebook that I decided to share as a Guest Commentary with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE to stress the critical need for serious efforts to be made to historically document for future generations the events that took place during the era he addresses.
”Carlton E. Francis, an Educator, Soldier, Motivator, Inspirational Minister, Politician, Friend, and Family Man …. a Nationalist on 10th January, 1968, at the Majority Rule anniversary, he spoke before a vibrant audience who cheered as he was speaking.”
”Suddenly, he said “I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-C-E,” spelling out the word ‘Independence;’ the audience became silent. For the first time, the word Independence was spoken with such authoritative calmness, yet resonated with determination.”
“Later that year, keeping an eye for the future, Carlton Francis a descendant of Bimini and the Berry Islands, introduced the concept of Independence to the Cabinet when Premier Lynden Pindling— a champion of the people, was in London, England, on the nation’s behalf in a “Meet the Press” television interview.”
”Pindling stated that The Bahamas would not go independent for at least the next 20 years.”
”Mr. Pindling had the ability that once he heard your idea, he could adopt it as an original idea, and by the time you heard of it, it was so brilliantly incorporated that you would think it was his own idea.”
“Deputy Premier, Arthur D. Hanna, born 7th March, 1928 and a Native of Pompey Bay, Acklins, also a Nationalist, sat in the cabinet chair. Carlton E. Francis planted the seed of Independence. Premier Lynden O. Pindling gave birth to it. One planted and the other reaped.”
”Paul L. Adderly, leader of the National Democratic Party, left the PLP in 1965 and was convinced that The Bahamas was ready for sovereignty; using his Bahamas Observer newspaper to influence in support of independence, the first formal move towards independence by the PLP was made in a Speech From The Throne in June 1971. Following Adderley’s statement, he was asked to rejoin the PLP, an invitation he accepted in 1972.
Franklyn G. Ferguson, Author “Through the Eye” An insight into the history of black people in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and one of The Bahamas’ official photographers attending the London Conference with the Framers.
Just My Five Cents.
