Grand Life Magazine Summer 23 - Flipbook - Page 23
ROAD TO 50
By: Racquel Pata - 5th Grader at Lewis Yard Primary School
Primary School Winner of the "Road to 50 - What Are We Celebrating?" School Speech Competition
On July 10, 1973, the Union Jack was lowered for its final time, and the Bahamian Flag with its gold, black, and
aquamarine colours was raised for the first time to mark a new day in Bahamian history. This is why we are here. The
Road to 50 for the Bahamas has not been an easy one. There were many highs and lows, celebrations and
disappointments, successes and failures, but through it all we are still here.
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas was once the Colony of the Bahama Islands, governed by British rule for 325 years.
Before our country gained independence, there were some key events that rallied Bahamians to fight, march, protest,
and strike to have the freedom we can now celebrate today. There were major events that led to this great fight for
freedom. The Burma Road Riots, The Suffrage Movement, The Birth of the PLP, the 16 day General Strike, Women’s Right
to Vote, and Black Tuesday were all key events that led to Majority Rule. This began the shift from the Old Bahamas to
the New Bahamas. The Road to 50 is worth celebrating! We are celebrating independence!
I am only 10 years old, and my journey has had its own challenges, the main one being, the death of my mother. So I can
imagine, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas with over four hundred thousand people, with different backgrounds and
each individual fearfully and wonderfully made; including young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Christians and
nonbelievers, all with their own agendas and challenges, but all able to witness this golden jubilee. This is an
accomplishment in itself!
The remarks given by the late Sir Lynden Pindling in September 1973, he stated, “The Bahamian archipelago are mostly
black, we are also many other colours and of varied faiths and all of us have similar aspirations and expectations as
those of the billions of other people who inhabit the planet earth.” The Road to 50 is worth celebrating! We are
celebrating diversity!
It was the 2016 Olympics, and our very own Shaunae Miller-Uibo made it to the finals for the 400M event. She held the
lead for the entire race until Allison Felix, the runner expected to win, started to catch up to our golden girl. Then it
happened - “the dive”. Shaunae crossed the finish line in first place. And, from that one gold medal, Bahamians all over
the world felt as if we had won the entire Olympics. Our Bahamian National anthem played for millions to hear, and we
watched our flag raised. The Road to 50 is worth celebrating! We are celebrating pride!
On this road to 50, we celebrate women! Margaret Thatcher, England’s first female Prime Minister stated, “If you want
something said ask a man and if you want something done ask a woman.” In the history of The Bahamas, the women
have fought long and hard for women’s rights. I want to be like the women in the past that never gave up. A woman like
Dame Doris Johnson, a suffragette, who was the first female senator. A woman like Dame Ivy Dumont, the first Governor
General. Another woman like Judge Joan Sawyer, the first woman who served as both Chief Justice and the President of
the Court of Appeals. In 2002, Cynthia “Mother” Pratt was the first Female Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas. We
were all inspired by her leadership role and because of her I can now see myself as a future Prime Minister of the
Bahamas. Yes, that’s me! The road to 50 is worth celebrating! We’re celebrating girl power.
Finally, on the Road to 50, we celebrate Bahamians. Bahamians are playing vital roles in society and YOU should be
celebrated! We are one people, united in love and service. The Road to 50 is worth celebrating. We are celebrating
independence, diversity, pride, and women. We are celebrating Bahamians!
