Terneille Burrows feels the most important event of 2014 was the Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities Bill
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TheBahamasWeekly.com
has once again selected Bahamians to canvas their opinions on highlights
of The Bahamas over the year 2014, as well as ask about the direction
of the country. Their comments will be shared over the coming weeks.
Through this exchange we hope to also highlight Bahamians in our
community, and share their personal triumphs, that may or may not have
made the news.
Here is the opinion of
Terneille Burrows
:
1.) What event do you feel was the most important for The Bahamas in 2014?
Answer: The passage of the Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities Bill
In
2013 I became aware that the community of advocates for persons with
disabilities were actively engaging the government in meetings on
proposed legislation that would facilitate better quality of life for
the group at large. In September of that same year, The Bahamas signed
on to the United Nations' international human rights treaty
Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was a commitment that
our government made to ensure accountability in the process toward
passing bills and enacting laws related to these treaties. On
Jul
17, 2014 I joined people from all walks of life that assembled in and
outside the House of Assembly to witness the passage of the bills by
Members of Parliament. There were differently-abled children, men, and
women alike, strangers, acquaintances,friends and family gathered in a show of support for persons with disabilities.
2.) Who passed away this year that you feel will be 'most missed' and why?
Answer: Maureen DuValier
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview and sit on a College of The Bahamas music panel a
long
with a Bahamian music legend. She was known affectionately as "Queen of
the Junkanoo" and "Bahama Mama", but her name was Maureen. She was born
onMay 14, 1926
and although was an niece of“Papa Doc” DuValier, past president of Haiti,became famous of her own accord as a highly sought after Bahamian entertainer. She was proud to boast
that she was the first female performer ever to rush in the Junkanoo
parade as a child disguised as a boy. She later went on to lead the
first group of female Junkanoo performersthat dominated the parade for
many years.
Maureen
is a member of Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE),
awarded by Queen Elizabeth II for her outstanding contribution to The
Bahamas. Maureen passed away a few days ago. She was a spirited,
loveable person and an entertainer-to-the-very-end. She will be sorely
missed,particularlyby Bahamian entertainers.
3.) Who was the 'most inspirational Bahamian' in 2014 and why?
Answer: Edmund Moxey
A
school-mate of mine had imparted some snippets about the legacy of her
good friend Edmund Moxey earlier this year and insisted that she had to
take me to meet him. Unfortunately, that was not to be, as he passed
away two months later. I felt an immediate and acute sense of loss for
this man I had never met. Mr. Moxey, I understand was a visionary, an
activist and a leader among men. The realisation of "Jumbey Village" was
his dream, and his life goal was sustainable development in
over-the-hill community. He was also a musician and a parliamentarian.
4.) What were some of the hottest topics for The Bahamas in 2014?
-
Legalisation and regulation of the gaming industry
-
Andre Rollins speaking out in parliament
-
Renward Wells LOI signing
-
Anslem Ali's interview, the new immigration policy, claims of mistreatment by detainees, call for "Boycott Bahamas"
-
Calls for Freedom of Information, Campaign Financing Reform and Public Disclosure prosecutions
-
Failure of the Public Accounts Committee
-
Proposed constitutional referendum
-
Public Hospitals Authority audits 10 million dollar discrepancy
-
Bank of The Bahamas bailout
-
Abuse "joke" made by a parliamentarian and failure of MPs present to respond appropriately
-
Bonuses paid to senior BTC employees after its sale
-
The tragic Grand Bahama crash that claimed the lives of nine people
-
Violent crime and record-breaking murder rate statistics
-
2015 VAT implementation
5.) What was the toughest problem faced in 2014. How do we find solutions to correcting it in 2015?
Answer: Widespread apathy
This
may seem a strange answer, but many of the problems we face in this
country stem from a wide range of social ills. If Bahamians are not
outraged at the plights of victims of crime, abuse, or discrimination,
the extremely poor, at-risk youth, abandoned children and
elderly, then we would not be compelled to band together to create and demand solutions to such problems.
Apathy is described by the Webster's dictionary as:
the feeling of not having much emotion or interest.
While we thrive on information and are readily voice our opinions, very
few seem inclined to engage in community development through
volunteerism, activism, or philanthropy. If, or when this improves, we
will begin to see real change in our country.
6.) Is there an 'unsung hero' you feel should be recognised from 2014 or prior? If so, who and why?
Answer: Indira Archer
In
April I received a note from a young lady that had started a mentorship
program for at risk girls. She was just a concerned citizen, now turned
Founding Director of . Resilience Girls Club. This is what was posted
on their page today:
2015,
I vow to dedicate my life to the Empowerment of Girls. I believe in the
Protection of the Rights of children. I vow to stand as a voice for the
voiceless and help to stand for girls. My decree is to create an
atmosphere for girls from low socioeconomic conditions to be inspired to
desire and achieve greatness.
Indira, I salute you.
Terneille
Burrows (aka TaDa) is an international award-wining recording
artist/songwriter. She is an activist and the founder of the Rise Bahamas movement. She hosts ArtOvation radio show Saturday mornings on Star FM, and co-hosts Reality Check on Guardian radio each Tuesday. Email: risebahamas@gmail.com
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Bahamas 2014: Give us YOUR Year in Review
