标签： Dominica

During Black History Month observances, Dr. Damien Dublin, Chairman of the Dominica Reparations Committee, has issued a compelling call for substantive engagement with Caribbean historical narratives rather than superficial acknowledgment. In an official audio statement, the prominent reparations advocate emphasized the critical importance of pausing to reflect on and recommit to preserving the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Dr. Dublin articulated that Black History Month should transcend mere remembrance, serving instead as an opportunity for profound understanding and active honoring of those who shaped Caribbean history. He stressed that national heroes, freedom fighters, cultural icons, and everyday resistance figures deserve more than fleeting mentions—they warrant celebration, discussion, and integration into the collective consciousness.

The reparations leader specifically addressed educators and parents, urging them to employ history as a tool of enlightenment for Black children. “History should be taught to educate, inspire, and excite our children, to highlight the achievements and triumph of Black people,” Dublin asserted. He challenged the conventional narrative that often reduces Black history to slavery, pointing instead to pre-colonial civilizations like the Kingdom of Kush, Benin, and the Ashanti Empire that made significant contributions across science, medicine, agriculture, industry, and commerce.

Dr. Dublin highlighted numerous technological innovations by Black inventors, including the traffic light system, automatic gear shift, carbon filament for light bulbs, improved ironing boards, artificial heart technology, pacemakers, and even toilet paper. These achievements, he noted, deserve recognition and pride alongside the more familiar narratives of struggle.

The committee head also advocated for teaching about influential figures like Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, and contemporary leaders such as Ibrahim Traoré. By exposing youth to stories of triumph and resilience, Dublin believes we can inspire a new generation to pursue excellence while instilling cultural pride.

Dr. Dublin cautioned against disconnection from historical roots, stating: “If we do not teach our history with intention and creativity, we risk losing the connection between our people, youth, and their identity.” He emphasized that understanding history equips people to shape the future with greater confidence and purpose.

Finally, Dr. Dublin expressed gratitude to media outlets and the public for their support while encouraging broader societal participation in historical preservation efforts. He called on radio stations, schools, churches, community groups, and families to actively elevate local history initiatives and ensure that Caribbean stories are told through Caribbean voices rooted in lived experiences.

A prominent beach near Roseau, Dominica, known as Rockaway Beach, is facing aesthetic degradation due to the construction of a conspicuous red box-like structure. The edifice, which disrupts the natural coastal panorama, has drawn criticism from local residents and visitors alike.

JeanClaude Elias Nassief, a concerned citizen, formally raised the issue in a letter to the editor dated February 9, 2026. Nassief emphasized that the intrusive construction not only diminishes the visual appeal of the beloved bathing spot but also obstructs picturesque views of the shoreline. The letter appeals to relevant authorities and responsible parties to address the growing environmental and aesthetic concerns.

While the exact purpose and ownership of the structure remain unclear, its impact on the area’s natural charm is evident. The situation highlights broader questions about urban development, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of public spaces in Dominica. Nassief’s communication aims to spur corrective action and promote greater accountability in maintaining the island’s scenic assets for both residents and tourists.

In a powerful address marking World Marriage Day, the Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau, Reverend Kendrick Forbes, articulated a profound theological and social defense of traditional marriage. Speaking before congregants at the St Joseph Roman Catholic Church this past Sunday, Bishop Forbes positioned the institution as the fundamental building block of both the family and society at large.

The Bishop’s homily defined marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, characterized by “total self-giving, fidelity, courageous trust and hope.” He emphasized its procreative purpose, describing spouses as “co-creators with God” in bringing new life into the world. This perspective frames marriage not merely as a social contract but as a divine vocation, a calling “written into the very nature of man and woman” as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Elevating the discourse, Bishop Forbes invoked the language of the Second Vatican Council, referring to matrimony as an “intimate partnership of life and love” and an “indissoluble covenant” that perseveres through both prosperity and adversity. He stated that the family’s mission is so critically vital that the fate of humanity itself “either stands or falls by it.”

World Marriage Day, observed annually on the second Sunday of February, served as the backdrop for this celebration. The event is globally recognized by many Christian denominations as an opportunity to honor married couples, reaffirm the family as society’s basic unit, and celebrate the virtues of “fidelity, sacrifice, and joy” found in daily married life. Bishop Forbes’s remarks thus provided both a spiritual justification and a social argument for the enduring relevance of the institution he leads his flock to uphold.