Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley used the occasion of the island’s 56th Anniversary of Independence and its first Anniversary as a Parliamentary Republic, to again publicly thank Barbadians for “staying the course” despite the myriad challenges the country faced over the last couple of years.
Ms. Mottley, in an Independence Day address to the nation, was effusive in praise as she spoke to thousands of patriotic Barbadians clad in national colours, members of the diplomatic corps, honourees, school children, online viewers, and other specially invited guests, at Kensington Oval today.
The Prime Minister commended Barbadians for “knowing how to navigate rough seas” and said: “…I want to say thank you, because we could only be standing here because of the efforts of so many tens of thousands of Barbadians to help lift this country up and all who live in it, through the very difficult and tumultuous two and a half years that we have experienced…I come here this morning to say thank you to Barbadians, thank you to Bajans for allowing us to be able to stay the course.”
Speaking specifically to the island’s youth including students listening in the stands and online, young mothers and fathers, Ms. Mottley reflected on the difficult period which the students, their parents and grandparents had experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. She pointed out that many had suffered angst and mental difficulties during that time.
However, The Prime Minister contended that Barbadians were proud and resilient, having learnt from the lessons of their forebearers who had “borne much, much more at a personal level, requiring sacrifice…resilience and the ability to endure oppression and pain”.
“As we therefore come to the task of trying to cope from cost of living to mental anguish, to the awful aspects of the pandemic including those who we lost and those who lost during the pandemic… I give this message this morning because many of us are sometimes not aware of the burden that people carry,” Ms. Mottley emphasised.
She further stated: “We ask you as we continue to reflect the best values that have gotten us where we have, never to forget that it takes just a pleasant smile or an easy word, very often, to lighten the spirit of someone and to give them the strength and courage to make the next few steps. This country has what it takes to get there, but we as a people must continue to reflect it.”
Ms. Mottley reminded Barbadians that they must live by the principles of sharing each other’s burdens and the “bounty whenever it comes”, and that many hands make light work.
“That [many hands make light work] must continue to be our motto because when you come from a small nation very often you cannot do it alone and it is only through the principles of solidarity and our ability to share the burden that we will make it. But there is one other that goes above all else…do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Ms. Mottley rallied Barbadians to be active citizens while underscoring the role each citizen can play in keeping families, communities and the nations safe.