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Vincy author Cheryl King: Reflection on ‘national
heroes’
by Nelson A. King in New
York 23.NOV.07
A Vincentian author in the United States has urged her
compatriots to seriously reflect on the role played by their “national
heroes” in order to “fully appreciate the significance of independence.”
Delivering the keynote address, during independence celebrations on
November 3, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cheryl L.A. King, author of
“Michael Manley & Democratic Socialism: Political Leadership and
Ideology in Jamaica,” said whenever reference is made about civilizations,
it conjures up images of the late Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
“When asked what he thought about western civilization, [he] said, ‘it is a
good idea,’” said King, who works at the library at Drew University in
Madison, N.J., about Ghandi, alluding also to St.
Vincent and the Grenadines 2007 independence anniversary theme, “28 Years
as a Nation: Building a Modern Civilization.”
“But before we could do that, we have to first recollect where we are
coming from in our history,” added King, speaking on the topic, “The Road
to Independence in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” at the gala
independence dinner, organized by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’
Organization of Pennsylvania.
“We have to go back to pre-colonial times and colonial times to fully
appreciate the significance of independence,” she continued.
Starting with the only official national hero, Paramount Carib Chief Joseph Chatoyer,
King, co-editor of “Search for Identity: Essays on St. Vincent and the Grenadines”
and “Quest For Caribbean Unity: Beyond Colonialism,”
said the road to independence in her native land “has not always been a
smooth one.”
“‘He struggled to prevent European penetration and to maintain the
sovereignty of this country [St. Vincent and the Grenadines]
and later on to recover its independence,’” she said about Chatoyer, quoting from the booklet, “Chatoyer,” written by Vincentian
historian, Dr. Adrian Fraser.
“‘The fact that he was able to do so with military technology that was
inferior to that of the Europeans speaks well for his spirit, confidence
and intelligence,’” added the former Girls High School student.
“‘He has lessons to teach us today, that all is not lost, and small size
does not necessarily translate into subjugation,’” she continued. “Our
challenges today are different ones, but we will be able to stand up to
them if we understand Chatoyer and become
inspired by his spirit, determination and strength.”
Chatoyer, who died on March 14, 1795, during the
Second Carib War against the British, was not
named National Hero until March 14, 2002, under the Order of National
Heroes Act, 2002.
King pointed to George McIntosh, George Hamilton Charles, Ebenezer Theodore
Joshua, James Mitchell (“briefly”) and Robert Milton Cato, as local
political figures who, she said, were “instrumental on the road to
independence of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
“These are [were] the political leaders who, in their own way, laid down
the ground work for political independence in the modern era,” she said.
“Now, the challenge remains up to us to move forward positively,” she
added.
Cheryl King also writes the
following:
Hi,
Hope that you are all doing well. Happy New Church
Year-sing out those Advent Hymns !!! We are so
grateful to God that the recent earthquake in SVG 7.3 on the Richter scale
last Thursday 11/29/07 did not create more havoc.
CONGRATULATIONS
:
We had a wonderful
Thanksgiving. Congratulations to Dr. Christian Stephens and his wife Joan
whose children Yola, Kharyl
& Tanya surprised them with a fantastic 35th wedding anniversary
celebration in Montreal
on 11/24/07. It was so good to see so many of you there. As always, at
these gatherings the Villagers go into retro mode. I am forwarding a
message from Grace Toney Stephens sent last year that should get you all
there. We are so fortunate to have memories that leave us filled with
laughter and joy. What a blessing !!! It is a
gift.
HEADS-UP
:
I have received word from Fr. Regisford/ Canon Huggins that St.Paul's
is planning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Canon
Hoskins Huggins to the Priesthood in July 2008- the 27th or the 28th. Fr Regisford has stated that " The
Villagers will no dobut be interested in
this."
I had previously
mentioned this time last year some historical Huggins information. I am
forwarding again in case the planners find it helpful.
"Cheryl
King"
11/27/06 10:59 PM
Subject
: Villagers Update: November 2006-Happy
Thanksgiving, Huggins,stained glass
window, BBC
Hi,
Hope that you are all
doing well and that those of you in the USA had a wonderful
Thanksgiving on Thursday,11/23/06. We have so much
for which to be thankful, not the least of which is our enduring
friendship, thank God. Those of you in SVG hope that your harvests and
cantatas went well.
I came across this
Huggins family history information and wanted to share it with you especiallly since the Villagers would like to help with
the restoration of the stained glass windows at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Calliaqua. If you would like to make a contribution,
please make out a check to: St.Paul's Anglican
Church and send to: St.Paul's Anglican Church,
c/o Ven. Dr. Sylvanus Regisford, P.O.Box 483, St.
Vincent & the Grenadines. Please specify that it is for this
purpose so that a record of the Villagers' contributions can be kept by St.Paul's.
Thanks.
It would appear that Fr.
Huggins and the late Sir George Frederick Huggins mentioned below were
related.
Fr. Regisford,
please share this info. with Fr. Huggins and the
Huggins family and verify. Thanks. It would appear that the Dr. Huggins
referred to below is the same person in whose memory one of the stained
glass windows at St.Paul's was given.
From usaroots.com
HUGGINS
Sir George Frederick
HUGGINS, born in 1869 - 1870, died at the Barnes
Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA. Father was a businessman, grandfather was a physician (both in St. Vincent). Moved to Trinidad soon after his
marriage, was buried in Woodlands Cemetery in West
Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Funeral held in the
Chestnut Hill home of his cousin, George A. HUGGINS.
Reference:
New York Times
Date 08 June 1941
See:St.Paul's website http://stpaulscalliaqua.homestead.com
under "Items of Interest"
Members Appreciation
Sunday:
I looked up at the
stained glass window behind the high altar in memory of David Huggins and I
was reminded that the Huggins of Golden Vale has been closely associated
with St. Paul's
down the years. The land on which
the church stands was donated by them with surrounding glebe. The church was largely built by their
support and a member of the family The Reverend Canon Nelson Horation Huggins was Rector. So I am not the first of the Huggins clan
from Calliaqua, to be so much involved in the
church.
Canon Hoskins
Huggins-2005
Villagers
Update 12/18/06
Hi,
Hope that you are all doing well and
thanks for your recent e-mails .
HISTORY:
I share with you some of
the follow- up information that I have received re topics that I have
previously mentioned to you. I have been informed that one of the stained
glass windows at St. Paul's, Calliaqua , which
needs to be repaired and for which we are asking for your contributions was given in the
memory of Daniel Huggins and that his wife was Lucy. Sir George F. Huggins
was the brother of William Huggins, who was the father of Father Hoskins Huggins,
Marie, Hobbs,
Sutty, Douglas and owned Golden Vale Estate.
George F. Huggins and Company still exists in Grenada
and in Trinidad, where the firm was
started. William and George were sons of Daniel. Thanks, Ulric & Squits.
From: "Alfred Huggins" <
Date: 1/3/2007 1:42 PM
Subject: hi
I was forwarded a copy
of villagers update (Nov-Dec) Huggins History, There is a correction I must
point out.
Daniel Huggins was the
Grand Father of William and George.
Alfred (Sutty) Huggins
ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS:
From: Friday, Ancilla (AFriday@ghi.com)
Sent:Mon 11/26/07 5:00 PM
Club St. Vincent's New
Year's Eve Ball at Africa House.
Please contact Ancilla for details at the above e-mail address.
She is the President of
Club St. Vincent, in New York.
I have attached the
article about my appearance at the independence celebration in Pennsylvania
requested by some of you.
Enjoy pata-pata and let the memories flow, thanks Grace.
Love & blessings.
Cheryl, Baldwin & fam.
Publications:
"Introduction to
Chemistry and the Environment" by Baldwin King (2002) "Michael
Manley & Democratic Socialism : Political Leadership and Ideology in Jamaica" by Cheryl L. A. King (2003)
"Search for Identity : Essays on St. Vincent & the Grenadines" edited by:
Baldwin King, Kenneth
John & Cheryl L. A. King (2006) "Quest for Caribbean Unity :Beyond
Colonialism" edited by:
Kenneth John, Baldwin King & Cheryl L. A. King (2006)
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