Response To "Don't Blame The Investors"

The Anguillian
The Valley, Anguilla

[This letter does not reflect the opinions of The Anguillian Newspaper or anyone connected therewith. It is simply an attempt to express my opinion.]

Dear Editor:

My comments are in response to a well-written letter “Don’t Blame the Investors” by Violet Berry that appeared in last week’s issue of your publication. Let me begin by sending her many accolades for creating an awareness by addressing important issues of concern publicly in The Anguillian Newspaper.

Permit me, if you will, to respond to two of the focal points in Ms. Berry’s letter. First and foremost, I will comment on the reference to a meeting to address “Beach Erosion in Anguilla” which the Department of Lands and Survey held at the Library Resource Center some years ago.
Ms. Berry recalls one comment by one official saying, “sometimes we feel pressured.” In her own words, “I take that to mean, pressured into giving in to unfair demands for fear of antagonizing investors who then say you are depriving your people of jobs.” I too, given the nature of this issue, would likely draw the same conclusion as Ms. Berry.

To that end, if any “official” feels “pressured,” by anyone doing business in Anguilla, clearly it sends a signal that a message of goodwill and being a good neighbor is not important when doing business in Anguilla. Therefore, it is high time that “sometimes we feel pressured” be transformed into courage.

In the spirit of those brave courageous patriots of the bloodless Anguilla Revolution, who were willing to give their lives for Anguilla, in the spirit of nationhood first, take the high road and come to the bargaining table with anyone doing business in Anguilla from a position of strength. Roll out the welcome mat, and in that very instant demand respect, respect, respect in that order.

Let us live up to the true meaning of the symbols (three dolphins) in the revolutionary version of our Anguilla flag. Let us truly bind our mind, spirit and bodies collectively with the “strength, courage and endurance” of our sheroes and heroes of the Anguilla Revolution, and take a collective stand for justice today, tomorrow, forever.

In terms of the Ms. Berry’s questions and I quote “who has the power to organize proper beach access,” “who has the power to say do not build so close to the high water mark,” “who has the power to say not so close to the road,” who has the power to say our fishermen must have a place to go to cast a line,” “who has the power to say the people must have clear access to these so-called free beaches. .

Her response is “Our elected Government.” Who elected “Our Government?” The collective unified power of the Anguillian people. My response is a little different. In my estimation, there is enormous power in the hands of the collective unified power of the masses of Anguillian people, to come together in the spirit of peaceful solidarity, and demand respect to have access to our free public beaches at all times.

Take that same people power and begin to hold daily massive peaceful protests. I can assure you, both parties will take notice and seek to find a rapid resolution to take corrective action of this important concern, and ensure that it would not happen in the future.

As a long-term human rights activist who marched with Dr. King during my youth, I make reference to the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s. If African Americans had waited on “Our elected Government” they would not have had the gains in human rights in the U.S, and or have laws passed that benefit all Americans. Led by the late Dr. King, they held massive peaceful protests, boycotts, sit-ins, risked their lives, and won the battle for justice and freedom of their birthright.

Therefore, I encourage all true blood Anguillians, in the spirit of collective work and responsibility, don’t sit around and wait for anyone to give you your birthright to access free public beaches in Anguilla. In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. engage in daily massive peaceful protest. Let our children see they are worth our legacy for which our brave courageous sheroes and heroes of the bloodless Anguilla Revolution were willing to give their lives.

Be willing to “stand up for something or fall for nothing.” Keep the people power peaceful, pressure, on so that our beaches remain free and public generation after generation. Peace’.

Prof. Yinka G. Stanford
Adjunct Lecturer

P.S My sincerest thanks to The Anguillian for granting me this awesome space to express my opinion.

I must add a word of public lament to those of my generation who discuss these concerns with me, and who benefited from Anguilla “back in the day,” you “talk the talk” about these issues, but yet you seem hardly ever willing to “walk the walk.” You know exactly who you are. And, if you are not willing to publicly (because you have an image problem) become actively engaged (your choice and I respect that) in seeking ways to become part of the solution of some issues of important concerns in Anguilla today, then no more needs to be said. And I really mean that.