Understandably, my father was an absentee father. In fact, my early recollection of him was letters that he would write to us from prison. My maternal grandaunt, Constance Trocard, read these letters to my brother and me. I remembered being teased by children in school, telling me that 'your father is a jail bird' and I use to cry. In 1976, when he was released from prison and deported back to Dominica, I got to know him better. That was the first time in my life; I was able to spend quality time with my father. He wasted no time indoctrinating me into his social causes and black power ideology. He told me that his passion for these causes meant that he had to devote resources and time to them and that would mean that he would not be able to offer his immediate family all the comfort and luxury that they deserve.

When, I was in high school; my father took me to all his political meetings, and introduced me to all of the significant players in the party, all over the island. And sometimes when he travelled abroad, he took me with him. Although, I enjoyed the outings, I always felt resentful that I had to compete with other people for my father's attention. I resented playing second fiddle to all his different causes and people. My father and I had a close relationship except for those typical years of adolescent tribulations. However the context for writing this letter was that of a moment of intense and acute personal pain that was once again ignored in preference of my father's bigger causes.  

First of all, the Debbie who wrote that letter 10 years ago is not the same person.  I have matured. Secondly, in retrospect this was certainly not the best way to address a private issue concerning a family matter. But, this letter was written, because of my anger at my father and the circumstances that I found myself in. Those circumstances made me angry and frustrated.  I was staying in a shelter for the homeless in Toronto and had successfully completed my LL.B in the U.K, under what were very difficult conditions. I felt that I needed my father's attention more than ever but that was not forthcoming. While looking for work for the summer, hoping to return to London to write my bar exams, I asked my father for assistance (i.e. financial) to pay for the bar program, my request was denied. You could imagine my disappointment not being able to take my bar exams and living in a shelter in Toronto. I got very angry and I decided to write this letter hoping to bring to his attention to my plight and to get some assistance. I was made to understand later that my father used our family fiancés to fund the party.  Writing the letter was not the most ideal response to a very complicated history between my father and his family, but I was so angry and was unable to see reason.

Most people in my situation would have felt the same way. I am surprise that Tony Astaphan (SC) would violate the sacred trust between my father and me and post this letter as if that was the only thing that defined my relationship with my father. Mr. Astaphan was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so he lacks empathy for the poor and sound political judgment. Instead, he prefers to cast aspersions on me and other members of my family after being a significant benefactor of my father's sacrifices for the party that he now represents. I am sure if he had to study law under those conditions, he would find it very difficult if not impossible to succeed. That he would make fun of my suffering and use the letter (to blackmail) me, to suit his own political agenda points to the brawling flaws in his character. His behavior in this instance is obviously unscrupulously ruthless. I will not be blackmailed, because, I as a Dominican, I have a right to speak out on issues affecting my country. It was not Tony, but my father, who spent 20 years in opposition and who worked very hard, sacrificed his family, his life, and spent all of his money to keep the Dominica Labour Party's (DLP) dream alive. Were it not for his hard work, and also that of my uncle, former leader of the DLP, The Right Hon. Michael Anthony Douglas and the late Prime Minister, Pierre Charles, the DLP would have died a natural death and gone into oblivion. The current DLP leadership has no track record of having spent a day in the struggle; they are just beneficiaries of my father's hard work and sacrifice. They will not silence me, because, my family and I have borne the brunt of my father's sacrifice.

It is a known fact that my father was a selfless man in the sense that he neglected himself and family in pursuit of a people centered political ambition. When, I went to his house after his funeral, I was surprise to find that his utility bills were unpaid and about to be disconnected, yet he was paying the electricity bills for many of the needy people in the town. Rosie also ignored his health, just a month before he died, his younger brother, Dr. Montgomery Douglas told him to come for a check up and he refused. That an intelligent man like my dad would ignore doctors' advice and go jet setting around the world in search of funds for Dominica shows that he was very committed to helping his country. While he may have forsaken his biological children, he certainly did not forsake the people of Dominica or the challenges of Caricom.

Now that I am older and more mature, I am more able to understand his life and the causes that he championed. I believe the cause of fighting for the human rights of black people in Dominica, Canada and throughout the world are noble endeavors. I have forgiven him, and atoned for this letter. I was one of the chief organizers of his State Funeral. In a speech (please see attachment) that I gave at a rally in tribute to him, I acknowledged the fact that the sacrifices that he made were for a higher purpose. I ended my speech by saying that I was happy that the time and resources that he diverted from his family were invested in the people of Dominica. I am immensely proud of his legacy and what he achieved on behalf of humanity. I believe it is a legacy worth preserving and I intend to do just that.

From this perspective I have developed the confidence and right to claim my father's legacy the more I understood his sacrifices and familial sufferings.  I will use that legacy to empower our people. I am my father's daughter, totally fearless, and I will not be intimidated by anyone. My cause is that of defending the highest hopes and best aspirations of Dominicans and by extended the Caribbean's needs.

If I bury my head in the sand and stop talking out against injustice at home and abroad I would be betraying my father's teachings, values and legacy.  This I can never do. When, I visited Dominica last month, I was greeted with love and affection by the people who still remember my father and spoke about him in legendary terms. Many people came up to me to express personal accounts of their sufferings, and many voiced that the DLP under its current leadership, has betrayed my father's legacy. In stark contrast to the values that my father represent, the DLP government is more interested in pursuing a selfish and self centered agenda that benefits just a few, while the masses suffer. Because I suffered, I can relate to these people's suffering, that is why I decided to speak up on their behalf.  Most Dominicans are not concern about a letter that I wrote a decade ago, but they are interested in bread and butter issues and in wise governance from those they elect to ensure their prosperity.

My father's vision for Dominica where Dominicans control their own natural resources to help develop themselves is ultimately worth following, even if he had human foibles and made questionable personal judgment calls. That is why I supported the Clean Energy Corporation (CEC). They felt that Dominica's natural resources with respect to the geothermal issue must be owned and controlled by the government and people of Dominica. I was not raised to be a pacifist, my father always told and showed me,  that I must speak up, and stand against injustice and that is what I intend to do.  

Unlike the opportunists like Mr. Tony Astaphan, who was a frequent visitor to our home, when, my father was alive posing as a friend. No doubt, Tony was hoping to piggy back on his success, when he got into power. But Tony turned around after his death and hijacked the government and viciously began pursuing policies that have only brought misery to the Dominican people and wealth to himself. If my letter did not do him justice when he was alive, my advocacy on behalf of the poor will honor him now that he is dead.  

Mr. Tony Astaphan is a parasite who enjoys hobnobbing with people in government and high circles. But, he is unwilling to do what it takes to earn the people's blessings; he would much rather benefit from other people's hard work. My father told me that he asked Tony on several occasions to run for the Roseau North seat and he refused, claiming that his father does not want him in politics. My father decided to challenge Tony and he went to his home and asked his father (in front of Tony) - 'why don't you want Tony to run for a seat in parliament'? His father's reply was I am not the one preventing Tony from running, look him there - why don't you ask him? It became clear to my father that Tony was interested in serving the people of Dominica in a very different manner than their needs demanded.

Also, Tony by his own admission on this blog said that he was asked to run for a seat by the Late Prime Minister of Dominica, Dame Eugenia Charles and he turned down her request. It is very obvious that Tony's interest is feeding on the people of Dominica. After all, he does not want poor people at his doorsteps begging for alms.  Tony, if you want to make policies that affect the people of Dominica, you need to go to the masses and seek a mandate from them. Only then will you have credibility and be able to speak on their behalf.

In the future anyone who brings up this letter, I will ask them to refer to this article. I won't be wasting time addressing an issue that is a family matter and irrelevant to the situation in Dominica. In fact, it is a mere smoke screen to hide the real issues at stake (i.e. the welfare of Dominica and Dominicans).

Dr. Newton the questions that you raised with respect to the situation in Dominica are very interesting. I have addressed some of these issues in my previous articles, so my response will be selective.  

1) I was raised in the DLP, so it was very difficult for me to come to terms with the current administration and its deficiencies. But, I could not allow partisan interest to take precedent over the national interest of Dominica. Any government that is not interested in putting the national interest above self interest is not my friend. I believe it is in the national interest that Dominica must have full ownership of its natural resources. We cannot hope to create any real economic growth if we give ownership of our natural resources to foreigners. I make no apologizes for taking that position, and if the DLP is pursuing a different agenda; I feel that I must condemn their actions and rightly so. Might, I add that in the last month, I have received numerous phone calls and emails from Dominicans at home and abroad, thanking me for taking a firm position with respect to the geothermal issue.

2) I do not know Mr. Skeritt's advisers, but judging from his policies it is fair to say that he is getting the wrong advice. I would agree with you that these advisers lack the world-wise complexity and experience needed to assist the government in delivering results. Tony is one of the P.M's main advisers and as you can see he is unable to defend the government's policies, so he resorts to thuggish tactics like blackmail - how sad!  They say you judge a man by the company he keeps, sadly, the P.M's advisers is a reflection of him.

3) I have stated in my previous articles that the DLP administration is not a reflection of my father or his principles, so I won't elaborate on that point any further. Suffice to say that I have come to the realization that the DLP under this current leadership is not a serious organization.

4) It does not appear that there is any interest by this current administration to attract new talent. Again, I already addressed that in my previous articles that this DLP administration is not interested in recruiting talented Dominicans. They are often rejected in favour of foreigners for obvious reasons. This administration is more interested in hiring person(s) who are loyal to the leadership and interested in their own selfish ambition. Is it any wonder the administration is short of talented people, instead mediocrity seemed to be the norm - what a sad state of affairs!

I can only hope that the administration in Roseau change its course, before it is too late. But, I don't hold out much hope for that. One thing is certain though; I will not be silenced into speaking up against this regime's devious behaviors. I will defend my father's legacy, because, I am his flesh and blood. Parasites like Tony will not prevent me from speaking the truth. Members of the DLP are simply benefiting from my family's hard work and sacrifice, and don't you dare forget that, so show some respect to the Douglas Family. 

Stop harassing the Douglas', who work for the government, they have a right to be there. My family members have the experience, skills and education for the jobs that they hold. Stop being jealous of us, it is not our fault; you guys did not invest in yourselves to hold the jobs that you have. You have no idea how much my father's death has devastated his family, so don't rub salt in our wounds; leave us alone.

Any attempt to victimize my family members in Dominica as a result of this article will be met with public condemnation (at home and abroad) and severe legal action.  I am sick and tired of some members of the DLP disrespect for my family and foolish insults towards them. And, I will not put up with it. The Douglas Family has produced three generations of parliamentarians. We have served the people of Dominica faithfully. We have received nothing in return for our service. We do not have any offshore accounts or material possessions. All we have to show for our hard work and sacrifice are two dead men buried at Hamsptead Estate - my father, the Late Prime Minister, Rosie Douglas and my uncle, former leader of the DLP, the Late Hon. Michael Anthony Douglas. We Douglas' have given our sweat, blood, money, time, talent et al in service to the people of Dominica. We are a family worthy of respect not disrespect. I am not begging you for respect, but I am demanding it, because, we deserve it. No social upstart, with no track record of public service to Dominica (prior to being elected in government) will undermine my family's contribution and legacy.

You may have power now, but power is transient. Like I said in my radio interview two weeks ago, power comes from the people not the government; they put you there, and they can remove you. If you think I am joking, just take a look at all the new faces in Caricom in the last 15 months. My suggestion to the leadership of the DLP is this: Focus on delivering good and transparent governance to the people of Dominica or the wind of change that is blowing in the Caribbean will send you into oblivion.

Since, the likes of Tony will stop at nothing to shut me up; I am a Canadian citizen, so next time that I am travelling to the Caribbean. I will register with the Canadian Embassy in Trinidad, so if anything happens to me, international justice will be served.  You know the saying desperate men turn to desperate measures.

I will not let my suffering go in vain and I will defend the rights of the working people of Dominica and the Caribbean. I will not be sidelined by mediocre and selfish people who have no genuine interest in the plight of the masses. God has blessed me with talent and a good mind, and I intend to put it to good use in the service of our people.

Respectfully submitted by,

Debbie A. Douglas

Formerly of Portsmouth, Dominica, now living in Toronto, Canada