Identity has played an essential role in fostering feelings of belongingness and pride among countries that want to get recognised as new and independent entities rather than British colonies. The same is the case with Barbados, which celebrates its Independence Day on November 30th with pride, but now there is a decision taken by the government regarding re-naming the Day.
Independence Day or National Day: How Relevant Is A Name?
This confusion was created by PM Amor Mottley, which instilled doubts among the masses. Actually, PM Mia Mottley and her administration announced that November 30 would no longer be known as Independence Day – but would now be called Barbados National Day.
The re-naming is done as the nation became a republic and had its first elected head of state on November 30th, 2021. However, coincidently this historic event happened on the same date as when Barbados got its independence from British colonialism in 1966. The government, hence, wanted to celebrate both days together and so they decided to give the day a new name.
However, the decision to call the day “National Day” didn’t receive the support the government was expecting! The public outrightly criticized the government for such a irrational move.
It is, in fact, derogatory to give such a generic name to a day which holds so much significance for the country and its people. People wondered and rightfully so that does the PM want to remove hundreds of years of struggle, and exploitation the people suffered at the hands of imperialist power?
To be fair, it’s fine to celebrate democracy after a colonisation hangover and dependency, but why should there be a scene only an Independence Day celebration? Furthermore, Barbados citizens actually enjoyed the divorce from Queen Elizabeth, which took place last year. Yet, they couldn’t look eye to eye with this move of the government as re-naming the independence day would in some way white-washing the country’s colonial past.
Jumpiing into the fire of public outrage, the Barbados opposition announced that it will lead a protest march against the government’s decision to change Independence Day to Barbados National Day. President of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Dr Ronnie Yearwood, made the announcement.
And, while reacting to the critics, Mottley said, “The fact is our Independence from Britain is not being rewritten from our history. We can allay the fears of those who are concerned about that. But equally, we have to celebrate the election of our 1st President.”
It seems that PM Mottley’s comments could be out of excitement or filled with huge pride in her party’s achievements in order to show the opposition her muscle power.
However, after all the backlash the government has decided to pull back the decision and continue to call the day “Independence Day”
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Don’t people say what’s in a name? Here is the answer to that. A name holds the whole essence of a person, thing, or event. It connects us with our history, tradition, ancestry and sometimes even ethnicity. For instance, when we say Independence Day it means the country is celebrating freedom from long-lasted colonial rule. However, a simpler word like National Day gives an idea about the capacity and pride of its own people in their country and its institutions.
PM Amor Mottley passed statements like “Barbados is Barbados” and that there will be no change in the flag, name or rules during her election campaign. However, it looks like she herself has forgotten her words.
No doubt here that the colonials have left, but their ideology remained in colonized nations in the form of some misguided leaders. The Prime Minister of Barbados could have come up with a more feasible idea which would not hurt the sentiments of the common people and would have given both the historical events proper respect. Though the decision is rolled back, her comments and actions have created confusion in the public about her intentions and it is now for her to see the people’s concerns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcPQBZRLBug