A Shift In The Light by Patricia Glinton-Meicholas

Author:Patricia Glinton-Meicholas [Glinton-Meicholas, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Novela, Realista
Publisher: ePubLibre
Published: 2001-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“Sweetheart,” Papa said to Sister one day after the evening news on the radio, “Dupuch, the Junior Member for the Eastern District, has called for a House committee to consider a resolution against discrimination in public places. I have some hope for this man. Looks like he isn’t afraid to speak up. I see where he asked questions about the printing of the telephone directory.”

“Mr Smith, to tell the truth, it sound like self-interest to me,” Sister answered. “You know why I always work so hard, Mr Smith? ‘Cause I know ain’t nobody ga give us nothing. All my life, anybody who extend a hand to me was always looking for me to put somethin’ in it. Look at my birth certificate, Mr Smith—It say I born at Arthur’s Town, San Salvador. But couple o’ them fellas in the House get together with a scheme, and next thing I know, you and me was getting married in Arthur’s Town, Cat Island. The House of Assembly did done move San Salvador over the ocean to Watlings Island. Like I say, Government does do things when they want to do them, and to suit the people they want to suit—them and their friends. But anyhow, let me be fair—whether you bury something for stinkness or sweetness, it still bury. We gat to be thankful for the resolution.”

When he saw the newspaper editorials and commentary on the resolution, Papa became incensed, and most of all by A. Benson McDermott’s column ‘Behind the News’. He kept reading out bits of it and grew angrier.

“My God, all the man could say was that the anti-discrimination resolution was an ‘extremely emotional subject’. All he seems to be concerned with is the ‘dignity’ of the House of Assembly, not the fact that more than three-quarters of the Bahamian people have been denied their rights for centuries. Listen to this! ‘Never in my experience—nor I am certain in the experience of other heads—has there been such shocking insult to the dignity of this ancient assembly as that which was inflicted by the uncontrolled and hysterical hooliganism of a number of persons who had accepted the privilege of sitting in the public gallery Monday night.’ Accepted the privilege! As if they didn’t have the right to be there! I don’t know why I keep expecting more out of this paper; it’s obvious that it’s dedicated to keeping things exactly the way they are. It’s nothing but a big social calendar. They report more on what’s going on in the entertainment world, than the plight of the people. It’s not the life of an Out Island teacher and farmer that I mind, and it has nothing to do with knowing I could never aspire to be Inspector of Schools, Sweetheart. I mind that my grandchildren may have to live beneath the same low ceiling when they grow up. Most of all, its contempt like this that galls a man’s spirit.”

Sister replied without looking up from her own reading. “Man, you good bit older than me.

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