George Grant has died. One of Grenada’s best in his field has passed on. The whole of Grenada mourns his passing, except for Keith Mitchell and his cronies. At least, this is one of the few occasions in which they could not help but be honest, maybe God himself put the words into the mouth of the Minister of Information and Religious Affairs.
In what I characterize as a bland, graceless, uncharitable and slighting statement, Minister Pierre:
(1). Refused to recognise George’s many years of sacrificial public service at the very top in his field;
(2). Expressed pity to George’s family and friends;
(3). Expressed pity to media workers and those who mourn his passing;
(4). Expresses that he was highly respected among media workers.
It has been made very clear by the statement that:
(i). George and his work were not respected by the NNP government;
(ii). George’s passing is not at all mourned by the NNP government.
Having set the record straight, let me assert boldly that, although he is no longer with us physically, his work will not disappear and his light will continue to shine. In a field that has suffered so much manipulation, abuse, slight and victimisation by Keith Mitchell and his gang, George stood out as a beacon of what true media reporting ought to be: factual, independent, fearless and impartial.
George was one of the few Grenadian nationals who had established himself in the Canadian metropolis and heeded the call of Prime Minister Blaise for skilled nationals in the diaspora to return home to assist in the development of Grenada after the demise of the Revolution.
George returned and made an immense sacrificial contribution up to the time of his passing. Whether or not you agreed with his viewpoint as a person, we all ought to appreciate and recognise the role he has played in the preservation and development of a healthy democracy within the context of the exercise of our constitutional right to freedom of expression and the holding and transmission of ideas and viewpoints.
Keith and his gang may breathe a sigh of relief and may even rejoice at his passing, but we know that when a strong tree has been cut down its roots cause many branches to sprout and sometimes an even healthier tree emerges.
Respectful salutations, my brother! You have inspired and energised many Grenadians and many will rise to fill the gap.