Brooklyn group urges Grenada
GG to cease using royal insignia
By Nelson A. King
A Brooklyn-based Grenada
group is calling on Grenada
Governor General, Dame Cecile
La Grenade to cease using the
royal insignia because of what
the group alleges is its racist
image.
Dr. Paul C. Clement, coordinator
of The Grenada 2050
Project, told Caribbean Life
night that the insignia of the
Dame Grand Cross of the Order
of St. Michael and St. George,
worn by Dame Cecile, “depicts
the archangel St. Michael trampling
the neck of Satan.”
“Undoubtedly, this insignia
represents nothing more than
the white supremacists’ belief
that the white man is good and
superior, and the Black or darkskinned
man is bad and inferior,”
said Dr. Clement, a professor
of Economics and chair of
the Department of Social Sciences
at the Fashion Institute
of Technology, State University
of New York (SUNY).
Dr. Clement’s interests are
in the areas of international
political economy and comparative
Caribbean L 20 ife, MAY 7-13, 2021
politics. His current
research focuses on the politics
of regional integration in the
developing world (Latin America,
the Caribbean and Africa).
Dr. Clement said that on the
47th anniversary of Grenada’s
independence from Great Britain,
on Feb. 7, 2021, Grenadians
and Allies – both at home
and in the Diaspora – met on a
virtual forum, titled “Reclaiming
Grenada’s Cultural Sovereignty.”
He said The Grenada 2050
Project coordinated the forum
which featured scholarly presentations
by him, Dr. Nicole
Phillip-Dowe, Professor Martin
Felix and Angus Martin.
During the forum, Dr. Clement
said there was “spirited
discussion over the offensive
names and symbols that litter
Grenada’s cultural landscape
and heritage.”
He said one such symbol
was the royal insignia worn
by Dame Cecile, the British
monarchy’s representative in
Grenada.
“Attendees were appalled
and disgusted upon seeing the
racist image depicted on the
medal,” Dr. Clement said.
Buttressed by the escalating
global rejection of the use
of objects and symbols that
normalize Black peoples’ continued
degradation, he said
The Grenada 2050 Project
wrote to the Grenada Governor
General, the head of state, by
email on March 1, and again by
regular mail on April 1, 2021,
Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade. Grenada
government
“strongly recommending that
the governor-general follow her
other Caribbean counterparts
and immediately cease using
the royal racist insignia of the
Order of St. Michael and St.
George.”
On both occasions, Dr.
Clement said The Grenada
2050 Project furnished a copy
of the letter to Prime Minister,
Dr. Keith Mitchell and the
President of the Senate, Chester
Humphrey.
To date, Dr. Clement said
The Grenada 2050 Project is yet
to receive any response from
Governor General La Grenade
or any top government official.
“This lack of response is
unacceptable, unreasonable
and insensitive,” said Dr. Clement,
urging the governor-general
to “do the right thing and
immediately suspend the use of
the racist medal.
Dr. Paul C. Clement. Fashion
Institute of Technology
HELP WANTED - Roti Maker or Counter Person.
Call 917-642-4200 • 917-642-0980
2003 Emmons Ave.
718.332.6064
The fi nest in greek cuisine
in an elegant setting
Taking Mother's Day Reservations Now
SUNDAY – THURSDAY, 12PM – 11PM • FRIDAY – SATURDAY, 12PM – 12AM
Taking Mother's Day Reservations Now
DINING ACROSS
THE WATERFRONT
NEXT DOOR
ITALIAN RESTAUANT
Elegant Presentation
Quality Ingredients
Impeccable Service
Unparalleled Taste
Lunch and Dinner Specials
www.NextDoorBrooklyn.com
Brunch • Lunch • Dinner • Open 7 Days • FREE DELIVERY
2005 Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn • 7189425870 • Fax: 7183323073
/www.NextDoorBrooklyn.com
/www.NextDoorBrooklyn.com
