From Moses to Joshua: Charting the Course of Bahamian Development

As our country celebrates its 51st anniversary of independence on July 10th, we reach an inflection point in our journey. The late Dr. Myles Munroe often used the term "Black Moses" to describe our nation's path to independence, drawing parallels to the Biblical figure who led his people out of bondage. As we reflect on our past and look toward our future this year, we can draw valuable lessons from this religious allegory.

The Black Moses Archetype

In the larger context of global affairs, the Black Moses archetype was embodied by various leaders of anti-colonial independence movements: Bustamante and Manley of Jamaica, Burnham and Jagan of Guyana, Adams and Barrow of Barbados, and Williams of Trinidad & Tobago, among others. These leaders, much like Moses, were all liberators and legislators, shaping the identities of their nations while grappling with immense challenges.

Moses, the leader of the Hebrews, grew up and was educated in the palaces of Pharaoh. Called by God, Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt. He later provided them with The Ten Commandments to guide their society. Similarly, our independence leaders were educated in the schools of their colonial masters and returned to lead their people towards freedom and self-governance. They were visionaries but also human, with flaws and limitations shaped by their times. However, much like the Hebrews' prolonged journey through the Sinai Desert, the Bahamas has faced significant challenges in its pursuit of progress.

Despite notable achievements, our nation has struggled with an overreliance on tourism, lagging education statistics—particularly in STEM fields—crime, issues of cultural maintenance, governmental corruption, heavy reliance on imports, and the underdevelopment of Family Islands. These ongoing challenges reflect the complex legacy of our early leaders, who laid the groundwork for our nation's sovereignty despite their flaws and the limitations of their era. 

The Complex Legacy of the Black Moses

The concept of the Black Moses is not limited by age, gender, or a single individual. While the late Sir Lynden Pindling is often regarded as the Father of the Nation and thus categorized as the Black Moses, other figures such as Arthur "A.D." Hanna, Dame Doris Johnson, Eugenia Lockhart, Georgianna Symonette, Sir Milo Butler, Loftus Roker, Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield, Sir Kendal Isaacs, Sir Randal Fawkes, and Sir Arthur Foulkes, also embody this archetype. One can also make the case and include former Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham, Perry Christie, Hubert Minnis, or even current Prime Minister Philip Davis KC into this archetype. The Black Moses represents an amalgamation of beliefs that guided the Bahamas in its infancy, irrespective of political affiliations.

These leaders were instrumental in navigating the complex path to independence. They were educated in the colonial system but used their knowledge to fight for liberation. They faced immense challenges, from economic dependence on former colonial powers to internal political strife. Yet, they persevered, laying down a foundation upon which future generations could build. Yet, a stone laid does not complete the house.

Embracing the Joshua Generation

As we remain in this interregnum period in the Sinai Desert, we must begin to embrace the Joshua generation of the modern Bahamas. Mentored by Moses, Joshua later became the next leader of the Hebrews. Joshua completed the task started by Moses and successfully led the Hebrews out of the Sinai Desert and into the Promised Land. The Joshua generation is poised to build on the progress made by the Moses generation, rectify their errors, and chart a new sustainable development path for all Bahamians. Like the above Moses generation, the Joshua generation is not restricted by age, gender, or political affiliation but shares a common adherence to forward-thinking beliefs and ideologies.

Embracing Economic Resilience

For the Bahamian economy to survive in the 21st century, the Joshua generation must thrive to embrace a new economic philosophy rooted in innovation. Building a 21st-century Bahamian economy means moving past the "Stafford Sands model" of economic development (overreliance on service-based industries such as tourism and heightened demand for imports) and towards a new model that advances multi-sector diversification. As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, the Bahamian economy remains fragile and relatively undiversified. Investing in the blue and green industries can also intertwine our goals of achieving economic prosperity while building our climate resilience. Rather than solely looking towards the North American and European markets for our economic salvation, special economic zones with other Caribbean countries and the wider Global South can boost local production, foster commodity competitiveness, and lessen our dependence on imports. A 21st-century Bahamian economic philosophy would also have to move past the notion that economic growth is the only metric showing how well a country is doing. Fostering an economy that is people-first instead of profits-first recognizes the entire being of Bahamians. Some policy examples can range from reducing the work-week, implementing a living wage, or embracing a universal basic income (UBI).

Enhancing Education and Skills Development

Education is a significant driver of economic development for any country. Incorporating STEM subjects into our school curricula and providing more resources to our teachers plays a cumulative role in ensuring our graduates are well-equipped for labor. Graduates would possess the skills needed to compete locally and internationally. The Bahamas can also move away from the age-old BGCSEs and transition to integrating international accreditations into our public school systems, such as the International Baccalaureate (I.B.).

Promoting Good Governance and Transparency

An effective bureaucracy is crucial to the proper execution of public policies.  Ensuring this is the case means continuing to strengthen anti-corruption laws and fostering civil society engagement. The Joshua Generation can also ensure that the public service is apolitical and efficient by implementing measures such as a Civil Service Exam, ensuring that the best and brightest serve in these positions.

Revamping Cultural Pride and Unity

Due to our proximity to the United States in the north and the Caribbean region in the south, The Bahamas has been influenced by various cultures. Though no culture is genuinely homogenous, the Joshua generation must remember that our cultural heritage is rich and diverse. The Joshua Generation must strive to recognize that maintaining our cultural maintenance, primarily by supporting our local Bahamian artists and athletes, is vital in advancing our sustainable development. Efforts can also be made to redefine what it truly means to be a Bahamian in the 21st century.  

Ensuring Equity and Inclusion

Ensuring equity and inclusion means recognizing that all Bahamians from all walks of life have access to the same opportunities to succeed. The Joshua Generation would prioritize women's rights and ensure that gender and sex discrimination is eradicated in all legal and social forms. Additionally, the Joshua Generation must pay attention to the Family Islands, which are still relatively underdeveloped. Priority should be given to how innovative transportation can better connect the Family Islands with New Providence, allowing for a greater flow of economic activity.

Conclusion

As we commemorate our 51st year of independence, we must pay tribute to our ancestors—the Black Moses generation—and strive to honor the work they all did to push our nation forward. However, in the Sinai Desert, we, as Bahamians, must begin embracing the Joshua Generation. The transition from Moses to Joshua continues our people's journey to the Promised Land. Let us embrace the Joshua Generation so we, as Bahamians, can finally reach the Promised Land.

The views expressed in the article are entirely my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any employers and affiliated organizations.