By Robertson S Henry
KINGSTOWN, St Vincent — It has been brought to my attention; part of a statement made by Saint Lucia’s minister of health Senator Mary Isaac.
The audio clip that was forwarded to me is not a true reflection of the whole statement made by the Senator. I wish to take this opportunity to denounce any reference or connection between the Minister’s well-intended statement, and my daughter’s murder, which is yet to be resolved.
Saint Lucia has always been grappling with an alcoholic problem. This I know too well from family members’ experiences to my being a founding member of the Drugfree Club Movement and have seen first-hand, the resulting destructive nature of uncontrolled drinking of alcoholic beverages.
However, for a person and or persons, to edit an audio clip to their liking, and make reference to my daughter’s murder to gain political points, is shameful, and I demand a full retraction of such.
Friend or no friend, I do not support such practices.
The pain I felt when I received the news on January 24, 2021, is still an ache I have to deal with every day, and every night.
The pain felt by her mother, her sister, her uncles, aunts, and friends continue to hurt their being, day in, and day out.
Therefore, there is no excuse for anyone to edit an audio clip and use someone’s death just for political mileage.
We need to be more humane towards each other in our actions, especially in times like this. If the COVID-19 pandemic failed to bring out the human in us, then how can we sincerely hope to rebuild this nation, and by extension the wider Caribbean, post-COVID-19.
We all have mothers, fathers, a family; and when death comes in all its ways, there is no excuse for others to be joyous over the death of someone.
Over the years, I have had to deal with the pain from the death of many friends I knew for decades; who have died, not just in Saint Lucia, but around the Caribbean.
Trevor Twaithes of Grenada, Glenford Prescott of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Calvin Roberts of Guyana, Francis Tobias, Brian McDonald, Lawrence James, Wilkie Larcher, Oliver Scott Jr., and most recently Errol Montoute, all of Saint Lucia; amongst others.
At no time will I seek to remember any disagreement we may have had. I always try to remember them as the best of the friends I ever had.
So please keep your politics, and allow me to deal with the pain of my daughter’s death.
Those who seek to make political hay will soon realise that there will be no sun shining to facilitate such.
I thank all those who reached out to myself and my daughter’s family, offering condolences and support in any way possible.
Among those who reached out to me are many persons from around the Caribbean and beyond, inclusive of ministers of government, and the prime ministers of Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, respectively.
They called and extended condolences and support on behalf of themself, their families, and the Cabinet of ministers of the respective countries.
The many telephone calls, messages via WhatsApp, Facebook, and email received from friends gave me the strength needed to cope, and which has enabled me to keep focus mentally in dealing with the pain.
I sincerely thank them all, and the remembrance of their messages and calls, do give me strength as I battle the mental pain going forward.
