by
Ryan Clement
Maurice Bishop (1944-1983)
IF YOU ASK many people what they did on a particular day last week, let alone a few years ago, unless something remarkable or exceptional happened or occurred, it is highly unlikely that most, myself included, would be able to recall accurately the events of that week or year. That is why I was able to write about 10 October 1996 when, if only for me, friends and family, something remarkable happened, which is when I was Called to the Bar of England and Wales.
SIMILARLY, I recall where I was in October 1983. Some people would, Most people won’t and All Grenadians should. Although born in London, I am of Grenadian Heritage (Grenada mainland and Carriacou), hence why I should and do. My mother’s friend, Helen, was over at the family home. My mother had just finished doing Miss Helen’s hair and they were engaging in small talk. Naturally, that was no business of mine. Furthermore, children did not hang around much – if at all – when Big People are talking. So, I went into my parents’ bedroom to watch TV. As I was watching, there was breaking news that there was an incident in Grenada. I had to check twice that I heard it correctly because many people – even today – mistake Grenada for Granada. After checking that I had heard clearly that it was the former, I ran into the other room to interrupt the Big People talking to tell them, both of whom are Grenadian, of the news I had heard. I can still the shocked look on their faces, not because I had the front to interrupt them but because of what I had just revealed. We were glued to the television as the news unfolded.
There was an uprising in the up and till then peaceful, small Spice Island. This was a shock. To be honest, I knew very little about the local politics. I had heard of Sir Eric Gairy because his name was mentioned a lot in the household but without my taking any real attention. This short blog is not about the politics of the time about which I know a lot more now and about which much has been written. I am simply writing from the prospective of a young British born person of Grenadian Heritage at the time. Sir Eric Gairy, who led Grenada through its independence from Britain in 1974, became its first Prime Minister in the same year.
I remember my heart racing as, obviously, I understood and sensed the general seriousness of what was happening but neither the context of it or the real gravity. The knowledge of both were gained over the next few days when I heard and read more in the media. I also knew if the then American President, Mr Ronald Reagan, and the then British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, were discussing it then it must be very serious! The former got the American’s actively involved on the basis, it was reported, of freeing American students on the island who were studying at SGU (St. George’s University).
I had heard of the then Grenadian Prime Minister at the time, Mr Maurice Bishop, but I knew little else. I got to know a lot more fast, very fast. Prime Minister Bishop was a lawyer who studied law in London. In March 1973 the New JEWEL [Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation] Movement (NJM) was formally established. Mr Bishop was its leader, which became the leading opposition party to that led by Sir Eric Gairy, the GULP (Grenada United Labour Party). However, in March 1979 the New JEWEL party led by Mr Maurice Bishop overthrew Sir Eric Gairy and the GULP in a successful coup d’état. Although, Mr. Lennie Fleary says it was not a coup d’état but it was a revolution. In 1983, which is where this blog began, Prime Minister Bishop was killed.
I have since walked around and visited the scenes of what occurred during that time. Also, I have since walked many times along the old airport, Pearls, where there are still abandoned planes that were part of the conflict. It feels so strange writing this. Firstly, what happened 40 years ago is so at odds with the tiny peaceful, Spice Island I know and love today. Secondly, whenever I walk along the airport strip at Pearls, I recall being a 10 year old who had travelled with my mother and landing on that very same strip. I recall leaving and waving to my late grandmother as we boarded the little plane headed for Barbados to catch the connecting jumbo, heading for London. It was at that airport I last set eyes on my late-grandmother, Nenen.
I have shied away from expressing any political opinion about an issue I have since heard plenty about but about which I am not qualified to express any opinion that would carry any weight or have any value. However, as is well documented, it would be fair to say that President Reagan was not too pleased with Prime Minister Bishop for engaging Cubans to help construct a new and international airport at Point Salines in Grenada. It is reported that President Reagan was concerned that the Bishop Government would allow the Soviet Union to use it en route to Cuba. Ironically, in 2009 Point Salines Airport was remained Maurice Bishop International Airport, which is on Maurice Bishop Memorial Highway.
In August 1997 aged 75, Sir Eric Gairy passed away in Grenada. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mr. Malcolm X (also of Grenadian heritage), Mr. Bishop lived to see his 39th birthday. But, also like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, he would be assassinated before his 40th!
Ryan Clement, LLM, BA, BSc, FRSA barrister
Copyright © Ryan Clement 2023
Ryan Clement 