Sunday, August 16, 2009
Hilarian Deschamp, independence and black consciousness activist
By Gabriel Christian, ESQ
It was with deep regret that I learnt of the recent passing of independence advocate and black consciousness activist Hilarian Deschamps of Roseau.
Hilarian, a graduate of the St. Mary's Academy was a founding member of the Black Power Movement and Movement for New Dominica - both organizations were prominent in the black consciousness tide sweeping the Caribbean in the 1970s.
Later, Hilarian was a founding member of the Popular Independence Committee (PIC) led by Roosevelt "Rosie" Douglas. The Roseau affiliate of the PIC, Cadre Number I - or Sisserou Youth Movement - was based at Hilarian's home on Goodwill Road.
Hilarian Deschamps home for a long time was an improvised headquarters of the movement for national liberation in Roseau and subject to police searches and surveillance in the colonial period.
Hilarian was a passionate supporter of African liberation and organized support for movements such as the MPLA of Angola, FRELIMO of Mozambique and the PAIGC of Guinea Bissau.
It was at Hilarian Deschamps house that the news of the impending invasion by Mike Perdue and the Ku Klux Klan was disclosed to Michael and Roosevelt Douglas by Algernon Maffie.
Maffie, inspired by his patriotic sentiments, was adamant that no such invasion of Dominica could be allowed and that the government must be alerted. The coup plot information, later dubbed the "Bayou of Pigs" was subsequently turned over to Prime Minister Eugenia Charles, who promptly arrested and successfully prosecuted the coup plotters who included former Prime Minister Patrick John.
In later years Hilarian migrated to South Africa and worked a diamond mine concession in the western Cape region with his wife, Dominican born attorney Deborah Deschamps - Felix of Castle Bruce.
He returned to Dominica in 2007 to assist the development effort and was found dead at his home on July 20, 2009. Hilarian was, like so many leaders and activists, a flawed man who confronted personal limitations and challenges.
However, on the issue of independence, the rights of black and indigenous people to a dignified life, and social justice, he was committed to beneficial change. His home was always open to those of progressive thought and he was generous in sharing his knowledge of Dominican, Caribbean and African history of struggle for social change.
May his legacy where it concerned the quest to improve life on Dominica, the African Diaspora and Africa not be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace. A Luta Continua! The Struggle Continues!
It was with deep regret that I learnt of the recent passing of independence advocate and black consciousness activist Hilarian Deschamps of Roseau.
Hilarian, a graduate of the St. Mary's Academy was a founding member of the Black Power Movement and Movement for New Dominica - both organizations were prominent in the black consciousness tide sweeping the Caribbean in the 1970s.
 Hillarian Deschamps on the right with Gabriel Christian was at the forefront of the black consciousness movement in Dominica. |
Later, Hilarian was a founding member of the Popular Independence Committee (PIC) led by Roosevelt "Rosie" Douglas. The Roseau affiliate of the PIC, Cadre Number I - or Sisserou Youth Movement - was based at Hilarian's home on Goodwill Road.
Hilarian Deschamps home for a long time was an improvised headquarters of the movement for national liberation in Roseau and subject to police searches and surveillance in the colonial period.
Hilarian was a passionate supporter of African liberation and organized support for movements such as the MPLA of Angola, FRELIMO of Mozambique and the PAIGC of Guinea Bissau.
It was at Hilarian Deschamps house that the news of the impending invasion by Mike Perdue and the Ku Klux Klan was disclosed to Michael and Roosevelt Douglas by Algernon Maffie.
Maffie, inspired by his patriotic sentiments, was adamant that no such invasion of Dominica could be allowed and that the government must be alerted. The coup plot information, later dubbed the "Bayou of Pigs" was subsequently turned over to Prime Minister Eugenia Charles, who promptly arrested and successfully prosecuted the coup plotters who included former Prime Minister Patrick John.
In later years Hilarian migrated to South Africa and worked a diamond mine concession in the western Cape region with his wife, Dominican born attorney Deborah Deschamps - Felix of Castle Bruce.
He returned to Dominica in 2007 to assist the development effort and was found dead at his home on July 20, 2009. Hilarian was, like so many leaders and activists, a flawed man who confronted personal limitations and challenges.
However, on the issue of independence, the rights of black and indigenous people to a dignified life, and social justice, he was committed to beneficial change. His home was always open to those of progressive thought and he was generous in sharing his knowledge of Dominican, Caribbean and African history of struggle for social change.
May his legacy where it concerned the quest to improve life on Dominica, the African Diaspora and Africa not be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace. A Luta Continua! The Struggle Continues!
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 2:49 PM
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Gabriel, my memory of our brother Hilarian began with his passion for the anti-apartheid movement and his introduction of Steve Biko and Black Consciousness Movement to us young students at SMA.
His activities in D/ca are well documented; but in 1998 when I returned from residence on the US west coast, after serving two stints in South Africa, I came to Maryland. Hilarian and his wife found me at Georgian Towers in Silver Spring MD (I still don't know how) and they brought me out to their house in Clinton MD. She was at Georgetown Law. I remember talking with her about graduate law programs in London. They also invited and surprised me with my ex Patricia. Wow. It was the first "home" cook meal I had in a long time, the first "home" music I heard in a long time and there was real good drink from home. Good company. It was great.
Of all the Black power activist in D/ca - Hilarian was the only one who did not call me a bourgeois. He had an open mind. He had his faults. We all do; but he loved Dominica! He had passion. He lived life to the fullest. Rest in Peace. May the Good God be with your soul. Peace.
Michael Davis
His activities in D/ca are well documented; but in 1998 when I returned from residence on the US west coast, after serving two stints in South Africa, I came to Maryland. Hilarian and his wife found me at Georgian Towers in Silver Spring MD (I still don't know how) and they brought me out to their house in Clinton MD. She was at Georgetown Law. I remember talking with her about graduate law programs in London. They also invited and surprised me with my ex Patricia. Wow. It was the first "home" cook meal I had in a long time, the first "home" music I heard in a long time and there was real good drink from home. Good company. It was great.
Of all the Black power activist in D/ca - Hilarian was the only one who did not call me a bourgeois. He had an open mind. He had his faults. We all do; but he loved Dominica! He had passion. He lived life to the fullest. Rest in Peace. May the Good God be with your soul. Peace.
Michael Davis
# posted by 
: August 16, 2009 6:33 PM
: August 16, 2009 6:33 PM
What a humble man! I met Hilarian for the first time during my visit to Dominical for carnival earlier this year. I was totally unaware of his political activism ( I am still very young) - no excuse though! However being the ever socio-political analyst and having provoked discussion at a home in Goodwill where both Hilarian and I happened to be guests during carnival, among a group of men drinking and speaking at the top of their voices, the discussion quickly turned into a two-man debate, and the rest is history. How pleased I was after leaving that house that I had met such a person - insightful and inspiring – and a fellow Dominican – I still did not find out then the full extent of Hilarian's involvement in the movement as I am now finding here.
He had shared with me his political experiences with Rosie and his work in London and Africa. He said two things that stayed with me - he told me that as a Dominican professional in England I had a responsibility for the future development of Dominica and the wider Caribbean - and secondly I will never forget his conclusion that the Labour Party in Government in Dominica today is not the Labour Party that he knew but that it had become the party of it's current leader. I still believe that such is inevitable, as leaders will put their stamp/seal/personality on their party. But there was something in the way that he said it - that last statement - in it was a sense of disappointment - he spoke it softly and humbly – without great criticism – just a realisation!
While in Dominica recently on summer vacation the past few weeks I went asking for Hilarian. He was one of the few must see people on my list. It was with a great sense of loss that I received the news of his passing. This man will be remembered! May his soul rest in peace.
He had shared with me his political experiences with Rosie and his work in London and Africa. He said two things that stayed with me - he told me that as a Dominican professional in England I had a responsibility for the future development of Dominica and the wider Caribbean - and secondly I will never forget his conclusion that the Labour Party in Government in Dominica today is not the Labour Party that he knew but that it had become the party of it's current leader. I still believe that such is inevitable, as leaders will put their stamp/seal/personality on their party. But there was something in the way that he said it - that last statement - in it was a sense of disappointment - he spoke it softly and humbly – without great criticism – just a realisation!
While in Dominica recently on summer vacation the past few weeks I went asking for Hilarian. He was one of the few must see people on my list. It was with a great sense of loss that I received the news of his passing. This man will be remembered! May his soul rest in peace.
Hillarian, from your all time favourite revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevera:
Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.
A Luta Continua…
Claude
Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.
A Luta Continua…
Claude
# posted by : August 21, 2009 12:53 PM
: August 21, 2009 12:53 PM
What knowledge of being black did we not posess in Dominica. But for the likes of these who wanted to break away from what we knew to want to introduce this peaceful isle to the radical communistic view by way of revolutionary ideals masked in a type of patriotism not for Dominica but for our African roots. All this is fine but why not enhance what we have instead of destroying what we had. Somewhere in the translation it was conveyed that we shoud behave in a hateful manner. ( I witnessed vendors being rude to tourist 11/09)As a result of this and many other efforts Dominica is like others in that the pleasantries,manners and other distinguishable traits have been substituted by the nouveau brashness. We can be proud to achieve a new Dominica by being ourselves. Dominicians were always a proud,nice people. I never felt owned or subservient to anyone. Stop praising people for their divisive traits, ignore negativism and embrace the positive. look within we don't need another nationality we are Dominician - not African,Cuban,Venezuelan,Argentian or anything else. Then you'll see the exodus of the Dominicans living abroard wanting, not fearing, to come back HOME and blessing our homeland with our acquisitions -knowledge,talents, wealth. GOD bless Dominica.
# posted by : August 23, 2009 2:12 PM
: August 23, 2009 2:12 PM Links to this post:
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