Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO/File

Sixty years ago, on May 17, 1954 - in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, the US Supreme Court headed by Justice Warren ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" and State Laws establishing separate Public Schools for black and white students was a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. 

This unanimous decision by the Court dealt a body blow against Racial Segregation thereby ensuring meaningful access to reliable information that Governments had always denied Blacks in order to keep us contented as Slaves via State sponsored Ignorance…This became a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and effectively paved the way for Integration. 

Before this Court’s Decision, we were deemed less than Human, Nations invaded Nations, Religions fought Religions and Africans sold Africans – Today we must wonder if things have really changed when we still see Courts denying our Civil Rights, Nations invading Nations, Religions fighting Religions and Boko Haram & other Black Leaders still selling out our People. 

We have only ourselves to blame when, instead of grasping the Rights to Achieve provided by this 60-year old Educational Victory, we appear stuck on settling for the Privilege to Fail…What makes it worse is that as Leaders collude and shirk their Responsibilities, our People are regressing socially and Prisons & Graveyards are becoming Homes to our Sons & Daughters. 

Those who should be helping us forward appear to do more towards the collapse & Backward slide of our People… The Playground of Equality has grown so uneven that Good Kids, who may not have been born with Golden Spoons in their Mouths, are driven by those in Power & Authority towards Poverty & Criminality - Boots for their Butts and Bullets for their Brains. 

Meanwhile Leaders grow intent on fattening themselves from the Public’s Cookie Jar &/or seeking Political Office in a quest for personal Revenge based on some real or imaginary situations in which they felt slighted… No wonder, many Voters regard all Politicians as mere Crooks and their own desires are nothing more than long-term promises & short-term bribes. 

Hand in the Collar or chasing the Dollar:

Candidates always promise to listen & put us first until they get there and become consumed by Hard Headedness, Greed & Corruption…As the Standards of Leadership hits rock bottom, every Mother Hen, Jack Rabbit & Pet Poodle see themselves as eligible to fool us & rule us until we become destitute & frustrated enough to depend on known Enemies & Imaginary Friends. 

While I am neither God nor Angel, I am terrified that our Children’s tomorrow will be much worse than our Parents’ Yesterday and - although I have no burning desire to be a Politician – such Pain & Suffering is infectious and hard to ignore…There is much that needs to be done and while some can be done from the outside, some major Issues can only be corrected from within. 

Those who claim I talk the Talk are welcomed to research whether I am willing & able to also walk the Walk… I am an open book so it’s easy to learn how I dealt with Attacks & Injustices I endured and whether or not I sought Revenge or chased the Dollar… Perhaps you already know the answers but we can begin with brief reminders of a few such events and check for yourselves. 

#1… At a relatively young age I was forced into Pensioned Retirement as Senior Radiographer at the Public Hospital after I opposed perceived Corruption and subsequent attempts to frame me failed miserably… Records would indicate that I harboured no Malice for the Perpetrators and simply used it as an opportunity to create & operate Community Minded Services & Businesses. 

#2… Some years later I was removed from being the Minister of Health Education & Welfare for no reason given whatsoever - I was told privately that this was due to my refusal to chase after the Dollar… Sadly, the People’s Work I initiated was derailed or abandoned but I had no Malice towards the Actors and simply continued Missions of Truth to the Youth & Voice for the People. 

#3 & #4…Included the recent attempts by Persons & Groups to use their affiliation & positions with Governments and Courts to steal my Lands, block my Buildings/Developments and destroy my Businesses even as I aided & allowed them special easements & privileges…Again, even as I refused to bend, buckle or beg for my Rights, I offered no malice towards these Evildoers. 

We can both agree that these Attacks appear to be a trend but while you may see them as just cause for revenge I see it differently…According to the God of Nature & Laws of Balance, ‘the overriding objective of the Wicked & Corrupt is to conquer our Soul by infesting our Minds & occupying our Thoughts - once we deny them this Power over us, they automatically FAIL. 

In fact for years we have seen this Failure consume them Physically, Mentally, Socially & even terminally without us having to lift a Finger…We both know I am only targeted for speaking out against these Games in which Religion, Law & Politics offer great Promises in Life & Death – while combining Incompetence & Greed in their Mission to fool & defraud the Poor & Needy. 

Reasons for braving the Battles:

This is not about liking or defending me – You have seen me cross the Street repeatedly to avoid conflict…However, there comes a time when too much is enough and we must Stand our Ground in order to save our Children…Such a Struggle is never easy and no Encouragement or Assistance will come from those dedicated to pulling you down rather than building you up. 

We can never move forward by holding back ourselves nor be freed by finding comfort in Glitter & Strength of our Chains…I stand committed to: Health & Education as Ultimate Priorities, BV-Islanders having Top priority within their Country, Removing Visas for West Indians, Child-Support without imprisonment, Decriminalizing Marijuana and ending Government Corruption.

These are among many Battles to be fought & won but the Road is uphill and littered with many Stumbling Blocks & Potholes…Nonetheless, your Power to be Master of your own Destiny is not shackled to any amount of Teaching & Preaching and will never be accomplished unless & until you truly believe you deserve better & finally refuse to live down to their low expectations. 

PS:… I will continue addressing some of your Questions & Comments on Live BVP Radio Programs