By
Stanley Collymore
We weren’t only blood relatives who grew up in the same socially
cohesive St. Andrew community of the Lakes District, we were also political
soul brothers, proud advocates in both the defence and tirelessly laboured and
fought for advancement of our mutual Black race, just as we were also life-long
friends.
Now tragically you’re no longer here among us Hal. For Death has
quite most cruelly and entirely unexpectedly taken you away, and not only from
those who personally knew and reciprocally loved you but likewise has also
provided another unnecessary obstacle in the long-running story of our peoples’
significantly historic and fundamentally heroic fight for our rightful recognition
through social emancipation, essential political justice and the still
outstanding compensatory financial requirements of slavery and colonial reparations.
Making you throughout your life Halton a stalwart fighter for all
these things and a great deal more. And what unquestionably, I’m most appreciatively
comforted, my close blood relation, longstanding, very treasured and an unforgettable
friend, will be your enduring legacy Halton Martin.
You’ve prematurely in my view Hal, unhappily and most regrettably departed
this world and are therefore physically no longer with those of us who knew and
loved you, but in our hearts and minds as well as our memories you and your
impressive legacy will live on forever in the profound admiration and thoroughly
unshakable affection for you not just of current but also, as of yet unborn, future,
similarly proud and immensely grateful generations Barbadians.
So farewell and not goodbye my dear friend and biological cousin
embraced as you now are by the Almighty God and the heavenly throng, until
those of us who have currently survived you meet up with you again, and this
time in Celestial Eternity. Amen!
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