Culture must be an important vehicle that inspires our quest for greater Caribbean regional unity. We have seen the unifying strength of culture in our playwrights like Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, in our folk poets like Louise Bennett, in our creators of dance like Beryl McBurnie, in our artistes like Bob Marley, and in our social commentators like the Mighty Sparrow.
As I close, it is my view that Rachel is ideally placed to render judgment on whether the Caribbean can withstand the existential clash between history and circumstances; to render judgment on whether the Caribbean can withstand the primordial battle between personality and destiny in order to advance the ideals of political and economic consciousness espoused by Dr. Eric Williams.