President: Spiritual Baptists defeated status quo

PRESIDENT Paula-Mae Weekes says the repeal of the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance in 1951 was a "tremendous victory over the colonial status quo, bringing to an end years of social and legalised oppression of Spiritual Baptists."

The President issued a statement ahead of Tuesday's holiday, commemorating the Baptists' "hard-won right to worship, congregate and practise their religion without fear of discrimination or sanction."

Weekes said although covid19 restrictions had caused a scaling-back of the celebrations, Spiritual Baptists have withstood many trials in the last century and will "undoubtedly best the challenges of the pandemic."

"Under threat of harassment, detention and financial penalty, Spiritual Baptists kept their customs alive, meeting secretly, protesting publicly, and challenging the judicial system to overturn the egregious ban. Resistance came from various sectors of society and found champions in fiery trade union leader Tubal Uriah Butler, calypsonian Atilla the Hun and politician Albert Gomes, among others."

She said activism, open and behind the scenes, was the impetus for the Spiritual Baptist liberation movement, and "their journey provides a valuable blueprint for the present-day groundswell of efforts to bring about social transformation, particularly in the areas of racism and gender-based violence.

"The campaigners," Weekes noted, "were organised and embraced a common goal and were prepared to make sacrifices, never wavering in their commitment to the cause.

"Their experience teaches us that change is often not achieved overnight and can be tedious, even painful, but that with sustained and concerted action, it is always possible.

"Critically, when we gain momentum and accomplish incremental targets, we must continue to press forward and demand better for ourselves as individuals, communities and nation."

She said Spiritual Baptists exemplified this, when after the repeal of the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance, they continued to advocate for their rights and dignity, working to dispel long-standing social prejudices, and obtaining a public holiday in recognition of their struggle and status.

"As we mark this occasion, we bring to mind the Spiritual Baptist legacy of temerity, persistence and action in the face of adversity. Their fight for and achievement of equality, justice and respect is a salutary lesson that we all can follow."