After nearly fifteen years of unbroken rule and the near-absolute power granted to him under our Westminster system, Prime Minister Arthur and his supporters appear to be under the impression that he is the Messiah, nay, the Jesus Christ of Boscobelle, St. Peter.

One only needs to take a cursory look at the ruling party’s campaign leading up to January 15th’s general elections to appreciate the gravity of these messianic themes. Whether it is that we are being told daily to “trust Owen with our future”, or hear him being welcomed in hymn to the strains of ”You Raise Me Up”, Arthur’s aura has been cunningly morphed into one deserving of reverential praise, submission and worship. Indeed, he has even taken to mimicking the original Jesus Christ, telling his audience in St. Peter “…I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again to take you unto myself, that where I am, there you shall be also” (Barbados Nation, and ironically, John 14:3), to throngs of praise from his captive audience.

We should all be wary of this type of politics, whether it be poetic license or sinister sacrilege. People are not beholden to the Prime Minister; in fact, the converse is theoretically true. Arthur cannot have his cake and eat it. One cannot be the same ‘poor humble boy from Boscobelle’ in one breath and in another, the worshipped Messiah of Barbados. Lest he forgets, the original Messiah was rejected by his people and crucified among criminals. Arthur would do well not to follow too closely in His footsteps.

Jovan Reid · Bridgetown, Barbados

Jovan Reid is a communications professional and social policy analyst, with research interests in social policy, gender and sexuality. As Executive Editor, he coordinates content and advocacy campaigns on each of The Antillean's thematic areas.

editor@antillean.org