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Even though the policies and programmes pursued by the Right Excellent Errol Barrow suggest that he subscribed to the philosophy of black pride, self-confidence and black empowerment, he always refrained from voicing these views in public forums.

Historians will recall that it was during the Errol Barrow administrations of the 1960s that the world witnessed a rebirth of black pride with the advent of the Black Power revolution in the USA. However, inspite of this rebirth Barrow failed to embrace the civil rights activists of the period. Barbadians will recall that as Minister of Defence and Security he denied the American activist, Stokely Carmichael from addressing a public meeting in Independence Square even though an earlier speaking engagement in Guyana was staged without incident.

History will record that during the Barrow administration black nationalists and Pan-Africanists were known to be under constant police surveillance. Editor of the Black Star newspaper, the late Leroy Harewood was denied gainful employment in Barbados and was forced to return to England where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at Warwick University. Another Pan-Africant had his literature searched on his return from England where he had pursued a law degree. Some may recall that his legal practice suffered as a result of his political convictions.

It was against this background that Arthur took the bold step of establishing the Commission for Pan-African Affairs; identified ten national heroes and sponsored the celebration of Emancipation Day. These bold steps were all taken at a time when neo-consevatism had gained the ascendency worldwide.

Scholar that he is, Arthur has recognised that a people cannot forge ahead without confidence in themselves and their past, hence the naming of the ten national heroes. He understands that symbolism is very important in the lives of a people. The leading nations of the world understand this very well. I am told that annuities paid to the surviving descendants of Lord Nelson were only recently discontinued by the British Government.

Arthur's advocacy for the payment of reparations to the descendants of the Middle Passage must also be seen as groundbreaking for a Prime Minister of Barbados. Delivering the feature address at the Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade at Holy Trinity Church, Hull, England, in March this year, Arthur said: " The principle of reparations should be upheld, advocated and promoted through the establishment of a fund to facilitate material compensation to countries which were victimised, and by the pursuit of national and international policies to confront and eradicate the legacies of slavery. I conceive of reparations as a national and international responsibility." Arthur made this call at a time when several members of the local intellectual community are distancing themselves from this legitimate cause. They fail to recognise that the Jews, the Japanese and the indigenous Americans benefited from reparations for the injustices done to them.

It can be said that Arthur's identificationn with Pan-Africanism is a clear indication that he sees the part that knowledge of a people's past can play in building self-confidence and self-esteem. This is borne out by his support for the programmes undertaken by the Commission for Pan-African Affairs which is headed by Dr Ikael Tafari. Initially the Commission focused on promoting cultural links with the continent, but in recent times it has added and economic dimension with the exploration of possible trading links with the continent. Arthur has breathed new life in the local Pan-African movement with the establishment of the Commission. Pan-Africanists are no longer shadowed by security personnel. Black nationalists can now flaunt their African identity without fear of ridicule and harassment. Over the past 13 years Barbadians have witnessed an explosion in African dance and several Barbadians have acquired a taste for African movies. With government's embrace, Pan-Africanists are no longer seen as pariahs.
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