When we think about fbrokenness, the first thing that comes to mind is a condition in which something is badly damaged and cannot continue to work correctly. In this reflection I am bringing into focus a sub-theme that is embedded my earlier wheatakes. That theme is Our Homeland Brokenness. Currently we are immersed in an environment of brokenness and it affects us individually and collectively. We are broken physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and politically. My reflections are on the political brokenness which affects everyone domiciled here as well as others.
The B. V. I. has been broken many times and through the rugged individualism of her people has survived. One only has to reflect on the latest and most devastating hurricanes of 2017. We were so broken that the world was ready to bury us. We have been broken by Covid 19 and are still bearing the scars. From that brokenness we have learned of new channels of communication, reordering our work schedules, and educating our children.
We were broken when the Legislative Council was abolished in 1902, and one man, the Governor of the Leeward Islands was empowered to legislate for us. That brokenness continued for forty eight years and we overcame.
We were broken between 1871 and 1948 when Secondary education was not available to B. V. Islanders within the Territory. We fought and overcame that brokenness. Today B. V. I. sons and daughters are equal to their counterparts in any country.
We can turn the scars of today's brokenness into stars. We are bruised but not wounded, the light is dimmed but not blown out, stones are thrown in our path but they will not stop the onward march to greater freedom. The plantation whip did not break our collective spirits, the hurricanes did not daunt us, the lack of secondary education did not blurr the visions of our forebears. The colonial political haze of the Leeward Islands Federation did not silence our voices nor blind our vision. We overcame and are still here.
We can overcome today's brokenness if we tap into the correct source of strength, inspiration, and guidance. The energy that can flow from the correct connection can energize every fibre in our bodies and fortify us to fight for the right. The right of political self determination. A determination that is just, fair, transparent, inclusive, progressive, rooted in caring, love, selflessness, humility and fortitude. The source of all of that is God, who was, who is, and who will always be the same ready to show the way. We cannot win John Bull without the apptoptiate armour which according to Isaiah comes to those who wait upon the Lord so thst they can soar like eagles, run and not faint, walk and not get weary.
Today' brokenness is tomorrow's opportunities. Do not bury your heads in the sand like the ostrich.
- Dr. Charles H. Wheatley