Two sister friends – Anique and Jeannette – and I recently hosted a radio programme where the question came up: What does it mean to be Antiguan–Barbudan?
After the show, we pondered the question for quite a while, and decided that this would make for very engaging discussions leading up to Independence. We also decided that this would be the subject of our follow-up radio programme in November.
For the past few weeks, we have been asking this question – in our one-on-one conversations, via emails, on Facebook, and on various blogs. Interestingly, this is a question that many people have not thought about seriously.
The question was asked of me; I was now in the hot seat. I found myself wading around in my thought pool looking for the answer – and it was not immediately there.
Well, for starters, I am not a born Antiguan-Barbudan. My father is Antiguan, my mother Montserratian. I was born in Montserrat, and so I guess that I can say, like my mother, that I am Montserratian by birth.
My father, a police officer at the time, was reassigned, and so my parents moved to Antigua with five children in tow. I was four, and but for the annual school breaks that I spent in Montserrat and my time away when I was in university, I have always been physically planted on Antigua.
And so I can claim Antiguan-Barbuda-hood on two counts… by father, and by my long-term residence. So yes, I am Antiguan-Barbudan! In fact many persons who know me do not even know that I am not a “pure Antiguan-Barbudan”.
And so what does it mean to be Antiguan-Barbudan?
I remember sharing with my friends that it was hard for me to put a finger on any distinguishing characteristic -something to define the Antiguan-Barbudan. I really cannot find any.
When most persons answer the question, they almost always think of cultural rituals and artifacts… the food and Carnival, especially. But do these an Antiguan-Barbudan make? Do things make us stand out as a people? So they scream “Antiguan-Barbudan”? I am not so sure, since we would soon realize in our travels around the Caribbean that there are many similarities in the food we eat, the rituals, the twang. And so as I think of the question, I am forced to look beyond these… the artifacts etc, and I still am hard-pressed to define the Antiguan-Barbudan.
Some of the persons I have engaged spoke of the white sandy beaches, and echo sentiments such as “Antigua is just the best, most beautiful place in the world.” While I agree that Antigua and Barbuda is beautiful (with scenes of the coral pink sandy beaches of Barbuda with our crisp clear emerald waters, and the scenic view of English Harbour from Horsford Hill), I cannot help but think of the places I have been and the captivating beauty of those places as well the rainforests of Dominica, the lush green of Guyana, the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas, and the awesome mists of the Niagara Falls. Yes, Antigua is beautiful. But I would consider it quite a stretch to say most beautiful.
So again, what does it mean to be Antiguan-Barbudan?
If you think I am difficult… I am. And this is deliberate.
This Independence, I wanted people to look at this question through lenses that are both logical and patriotic, and honest. Not through sentimental and romantic lenses.
Fuzzy feelings are good, but here in Antigua and Barbuda, the fuzzies don’t always translate into the appropriate actions. We think it is the most beautiful. We say we love our country, but we litter!
And so the question is forcing me to look beyond the fuzzies, the trimmings, and the sentimental. I ask myself instead, “What does it mean to me to BE an Antiguan-Barbudan?
I know that I love this place. I feel connected to this place (and nuh, me navel sting no even bury yah). I know that I am thankful to this place for all that I have become. I know that the responsibility is mine to give back… to contribute to its development.
For me, being an Antiguan-Barbudan means that I recognize my place, my role in its growth. It means that I understand and appreciate the tremendous amount of energies, blood, sweat, and tears that that brought us to this point – and I salute those who have worked and sacrificed. I honour their efforts through efforts of my own. I accept the baton that has been passed on to me.
So, to me BEING an Antiguan-Barbudan means that I am prepared to roll up my sleeve and work.
And as a proud Antiguan-Barbudan, I endeavour to be my best self. I will give only my best. For me, this means making my best effort as a parent, a friend, a worker, and a neighbour.
As a proud Antiguan-Barbudan, I will encourage and support the best in others. I understand how my best effort is connected to their best effort in the development of our country. This independence, I encourage us all to support, defend, protect, nurture, and love our country.
Antigua and Barbuda is our country. Our collective efforts provide the fuel for its growth.
BEING Antigua Barbudan means then that I have a vested interest in this growth…
So BEING an Antiguan-Barbudan, I will INVEST In Antigua –Barbuda!
