When you look at the worldwide disparity that exists between the races you have to ask the question, how did this happen? And when you go back in history, you also have to admit that it was Europe that underdeveloped mainly Africa and Latin America, including the Caribbean. That is not to say that all of the problems of the 20th century, as they pertain to Africa and Latin american countries, including the Caribbean, are all Europe's fault. We simply cannot ignore or discount Europe's role in these problems. To say that Reparations is merely "an interesting concept" and that it can be compared to "looking back", as in looking backwards, is far too naive and dismissive of one of the worst atrocities committed in history. This atrocity was committed against Africa, Africans, and peoples of African descent. Saying sorry is one thing. Some things call for restitution and making amends. Australia and Canada have taken steps in the right direction. I don't think it is too difficult to figure out who all were affected and who gets paid. Countries in the western hemisphere with sizable black populations, and Africa must be looked at mainly. In addition, I don't think that reparations has to be only about money. How do we affect the lives of poor people as directly as possible in the impacted countries? There is no question in my mind that a serious discussion needs to be have as to how do we correct the global imbalance between countries that benefited from slavery and colonialism and those peoples affected by them. On this one I couldn't disagree more with the DPM.

Spoken with wonderful clarity! We need to have this discussion. Love the preacher.

Really! I don't know what all the fuss is about. Sounds like a win-win to me. It actually sounds like Symonette, a very rich Bahamian patriot, is trying to find the best way to give back to his country.

This is what I think is systematically wrong with our country. Talk. Talk. Talk. We talk to much, when what is called for is simple action. Turn the service off. Stop the blatant discrimination against poor people. Everyone needs to be treated fairly under the law.

Someone above, challenged me to name the contributions Sir Roland Symonnette made to the Bahamas. I thought I would also list them here for all.

Rose from modest means to become an educator and advocate of education -An entrepreneur and highly successful business man -First prime minister of the Bahamas -Longest serving parliamentarian in Bahamian history -Leader of the opposition, UBP

Though not necessarily accomplishments, -He was knighted by the queen for his outstanding contributions to the Bahamas -His portrait is on the Bahamian $50. note.

Certainly:
-Rose from modest means to become an educator and advocate of education
-An entrepreneur and highly successful business man
-First prime minister of the Bahamas
-Longest serving parliamentarian in Bahamian history
-Leader of the opposition, UBP

Though not necessarily accomplishments,
-He was knighted by the queen for his outstanding contributions to the Bahamas
-His portrait is on the Bahamian $50. note.

-

What Minnis did is call keeping the people in the loop, calling the family together to explain what's going on in the country. I love his fatherhood instincts.

Much respect, Brother!

An award is reflective of the sum total of a person's life, not just where he stood at a pivotal moment in history. Yes there were people on both sides of the nationhood debate. My own father did not feel the time was right for the Bahamas to become an independent nation. However, once the Bahamas became independent, there was no one in this country that a more proud Bahamian than my dad. He went on to become a living, walking, breathing encyclopedia and history book of the Bahamas. By the way, Sir Roland Symonette was a great friend to my dad. My dad could walk into any one of his stores--I remember he sold, among other things, Electrolux refrigerators--and walk out with anything he needed. Of course he would always pay on terms. I can still remember my dad, a poor farmer and fisherman from the out island sitting in Sir Roland Symonette's office laughing and talking for hours. To him, he was not a white Bahamian and my dad, a black Bahamian. They were just two proud Bahamian men who, in their own way, loved their country and wanted to do whatever to help it succeed.
If we were to judge politicians for having changed their minds on issues, they would all be branded as scoundrels. Sir Roland Symonette deserves the highest honor for his many contributions to Bahamian society. Apart from injecting race into this issue our Bahamian politicians of today need to stop being "small" and narrowminded.

It will take at least ten years to clean up the PLP's mess and right the ship.