[Artist Call] Forgetting Is Not an Option: Reflecting on the Grenadian Revolution (1979-1983)

The Grenadian Revolution is something I’ve heard many stories about from my family members and also from other Grenadians. For some it was seen as a good thing and for others the complete opposite.

Although my parents would have been in the UK at the time the revolution took place a stark reminded remains on the tiny island – the bullet holes in the wall where Maurice Bishop (the Prime Minister at the time) and 5 of his comrades were assassinated.

Action Collective Groundation Grenada is currently looking for creative submissions based around thoughts of the Revolution:

This day (October 19th) remains a sad, troubling and in some ways, forgotten, part of our history. However, the culmination of these events were part and parcel of a larger wave of educational, economic, social, political and cultural changes that shook Grenada, the Caribbean and the world.

From the implementation of free health care to increases in real wages for workers to education being treated as an inalienable right, Grenadians were witnessing important and material changes. Other changes included the creation of a national social insurance plan to the entrenchment of women’s rights and the implementation of national training and education programs for teachers and the general public. Despite one’s political take on the Revolution, it’s extremely hard to deny the real and material benefits that were gained. Not only were these changes led by the leadership of the People’s Revolutionary Government but from farmers to students to teachers, Grenadians remained critical to the decision making process.

Though some of us were not yet born, we are still very much interested and able to research into this important part of our history and its implications now.

We at Groundation Grenada invite you to share with us your thoughts on the Grenada Revolution (1979-1983). We invite you to be creative in your submissions. We look forward to a variety of submissions such as essays, poems, short films/videos, audio/radio style pieces, photography and drama.  Some questions to consider, though not limited to are: What do you think were some of the most significant contributions of the Revolution? Do you think you can have a say in the economic, social, political and cultural direction of Grenada? In what ways do you see the Revolution as being relevant, or not, in present day Grenada? What would Grenada look like today if the Revolution had continued or if you started up your own Revolution?

This is a long term process of gathering and sharing data but we thought that it would be critical to begin this project on a historic day such as October 19th. We will compile your submissions as they come in (Final Deadline 6th January 2014 6pm) and support your creative process with feedback, we will then launch a final project in time for March 13th 2014, another historic day in Grenadian history, The beginning of The Grenada Revolution.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at groundationgrenada@gmail.com. Also, please send in all submissions to that email address.

RevolutionGrenada

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