[dropcap]I[/dropcap]was surprised how angry a dear friend became when I told her I planned to purchase a copy of Omarosa Manigault’s book “Unhinged”. It turned out she felt that President Trump’s former political aide had disgraced her African-American heritage and told lies about Hillary Clinton, who is highly regarded by African-Americans. My friend suggested I should instead get myself a copy of “Invisible” which she described as a heart-warming story of the struggles of women of colour in America, by Stephen L. Carter, the grandson of Eunice Hunton Carter, an African-American who became a lawyer in the 1930s—when black people were still being routinely flogged and hanged by white gangs in the southern United States. I recalled that I had compiled a book list in the mid-1970s, which I thought should be compulsory reading for persons venturing into public life in Saint Lucia, and possibly the wider Caribbean. Perhaps that list needs to be revisited and updated with the addition of “Invisible”, among other publications.
I allowed my New York friend to simmer down while I read an online news report that Dr. Ubaldus Raymond had forgiven two young females who had attempted to blackmail him in 2017. The vile comments by presumed earlier readers suggested it was Dr. Raymond whom the police had charged with the offence, and not those who had targeted him.
I immediately smelled political operatives at work. As far as these party hacks are concerned, any minister of the UWP government on whom they can plant a damning online story is fair game. I hope the novices in the current administration, their supporters too, are learning fast and becoming aware of the lengths to which the Labour Party’s hatchet men will go in their effort to embarrass them out of office.
Upon my return home, I decided that I should say something about the Dr. Ubaldus Raymond affair. To do it properly, I called and asked him for an interview. In the several articles I’ve written for this newspaper, I’ve tried not to repeat more or less private conversations. This time around I’ve decided to make an exception. I was surprised by what Dr. Raymond told me in relation to the online comments earlier cited: “I brought charges of blackmail against two young women in January 2017. In April, they were further charged with aiding and abetting. I never went to court because there was no need to. On the other hand, the young women had to attend court to answer the charges against them.” He repeated himself: “I was the complainant; I was never charged with anything.”
I asked Dr. Raymond how he felt now that the matter had finally been put to rest. His response: “I forgave these two young women because it would have been too time consuming and embarrassing for them, had I proceeded with my court charges. I knew their scheme was to extract money from me, and I hope other Saint Lucian males, not only politicians, do not get caught in this type of scheming. I will never allow myself to be controlled by blackmailers. The perpetrators never stop bleeding those who bow to their demands.”
Dr. Raymond added: “I have said it many times before, and I would like to repeat it here: the name Ubaldus means peace of mind. And I know that this is a rare commodity in this world at this time. Saint Lucia is no exception. I will continue to do my part and I pray and trust God to do his part to protect me from such people in the future.”
I would like to offer to Dr. Raymond for his consideration, these words from Lord Lyttelton’s Dialogues of the Dead. “A true man of honour will not content himself with the literal discharge of the duties of a man and a citizen; he raises and magnifies them to magnanimity; he gives when he may with propriety refuse; and forgives when he may with justice resent; and his whole conduct is directed by the noble sentiments of his own unvitiated heart . . .”
In a society that is still battling to provide for itself basic human needs including relevant education, health-care and regular employment, the stakes are loaded against those who offer themselves to serve the public good, through politics. If I could be 30 all over again I would still choose to enter politics, even though I am aware that alien monsters unimagined in my time now dominate the jungle. It will take dedicated men and women with a sincere belief in the basic goodness of humanity to redirect our politics, and in the process save ourselves.
I end with the belief that strong action is now needed to set the stage for the next social and economic leap forward on this island. Our constitution needs to be amended and modernized so that the quality and calibre of persons offering themselves to serve are properly vetted and declared worthy seats in parliament and in the more vital departments of government.
