Just making clean break with the past

THE EDITOR: Why are we introducing all of these extraneous matters?

I understand simply that the coat of arms is a symbolic representation of the collective aspirations of all our people. There is no intention for historical documentation of our evolution from colonialism.

The replacement of the three ships on the emblem captures our aspirations and is justifiably supportive of hope for the future, based on confidence and self-reliance. Nothing else is required. And please, the introduction of race is grossly obscene.

I have great difficulty in understanding the time and energy put into issues that really have little to do with the main.

We simply wish to make a clean break with the past and collectively set out our aspirations for the future. That aspiration is founded on our own confidence and recognisable efforts. The steelpan demonstrates this to the world.

It is the only new musical instrument developed and emerged on the skills and expertise of the disadvantaged. This provides more than enough reason to have the instrument on our national emblem and hopefully contribute to generations of self-confident people who will not seek validation from others.

SAMUEL B HOWARD

St Joseph