Propaganda & The Grenada Revolution
Recently, as I was looking over documents for my book project Chained in Paradise, I was reminded about the role US propaganda has played in the Caribbean…
The ability of the United States to influence the people of the Caribbean was a serious concern for the British during colonialism.
It remained a concern even after independence.
Here’s one example of US influence…
In 1984, the CIA air-dropped a comic book in Grenada called Grenada: Rescued from Rape & Slavery.
“Rescued from Rape & Slavery” was the United States’ way of saying they were going to bring an end to the Grenada Revolution that was led by Maurice Bishop (1979–1983).
If you would like to see the full comic, see this link.
The comic book was air-dropped under what the United States called “Operation Urgent Fury”.
The operation was also supported by the prime ministers of two right-wing governments in the Caribbean: Eugenia Charles in Dominica and Tom Adams in Barbados.
There’s a very powerful video of Maurice Bishop speaking at Hunter College in New York. It was one of the last speeches given before he was murdered. You can see it at this link.
To learn more about the Grenada Revolution, see the work of Professor Shalini Puri on the website Operation Urgent Memory.
The Grenadian calypsonian Flying Turkey released his song “Freedom Day” in 1981. He was also a member of Maurice Bishop’s People’s Revolutionary Army.
Revolution, revolution they cried
Everybody fighting, doh know who go die.
Tuesday March 13th 1979
Is a day every West Indian will bear in mind.
The people call it “Freedom Day” …
For justice, equality, equal opportunity
Evermore Grenandians say “Freedom Day.”
If you would like to hear the song you can do so on YouTube.
That’s it for now! Stay tuned for my next update on the project and reflections on the documents I find.
Do you have any thoughts on this article? If so, I would love to hear them.
Know of others who might be interested in this project? Tell them to sign up at http://chainedinparadise.com.
Amicalement,
