On the 13th of March in 1979, the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) was proclaimed in Grenada after the Marxist-Leninist New Jewel Movement overthrew the state in a socialist revolution, with Maurice Bishop serving as Prime Minister.
After coming into power, Bishop stated the goals of the NJM: “We definitely have a stake in seeking the creation of a new international economic order which would assist in ensuring economic justice for the oppressed and exploited peoples of the world, and in ensuring that the resources of the sea are used for the benefit of all the people of the world and not for a tiny minority of profiteers”.
The new government developed an ambitious social program, initiating a literacy campaign, expanding education programs, worker protections, and establishing farmers’ cooperatives.
During the PRG’s reign, unemployment was reduced from 49% to 14%, the ratio of doctors per person increased from 1/4000 to 1/3,000, the infant mortality rate was reduced, and the literacy rate increased from 85% to 90%. In addition, laws guaranteeing equal pay for equal work for women were passed, and mothers were guaranteed three months’ maternity leave.
The government suspended the constitution of the previous regime, ruling by decree until a factional conflict broke out, ultimately leading to Maurice Bishop’s assassination. President Ronald Reagan launched an invasion of Grenada a few weeks later, on October 25th, 1983.
“We have attempted to show in this Manifesto what is possible. We have demonstrated beyond doubt that there is no reason why we should continue to live in such poverty, misery, suffering, dependence and exploitation…The new society must not only speak of Democracy, but must practise it in all its aspects. We must stress the policy of ‘Self-Reliance’ and ‘Self-Sufficiency’ undertaken co-operatively, and reject the easy approaches offered by aid and foreign assistance. We will have to recognise that our most important resource is our people.”
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Grenada’s Revolution History :hammer-sickle:
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Grenada: The Future Coming Towards Us (1983) :red-fist:
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Maurice Bishop Speech – In Nobody’s Backyard (13 April 1979)
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Today in people-watching:
On my commute today I saw a black camaro with a spoiler and ‘TOMBSTONE’ written on the rear window in white block letters.
When I pulled up beside it at a red light I looked to see what kind of person would drive that. Skinny guy with a big beard wearing a hoodie and baseball cap and, no joke, smoking a fucking cigar.
real gangweed hours
Reminds me of a few months back I checked my mirror at a red light and the person in the car behind me was headbanging, nearly hitting the wheel, with both hands doing devil horns. Loved that for them at 8 in the morning.
The dude who delivers our basil and parsley is this super Bill and Ted dude with a long red beard and hair and he’s the jolliest dude I’ve met, I can make him laugh his ass off every damb time with some quick dad jokes and stuff. On one of my days off he drove by me while making deliveries and was listening to Animal by 3 Days Grace super super loud and rocking out very hard.
Dudes rock
IT’S THE DRIVING CROONER