Good evening to everyone, and to our beautiful homeland – our Mother of Valleys and Volcanoes. My brothers and sisters, across our hills, our valleys, and every village and town, listen closely. Tonight, I want to speak about words that carry power – words from a voice the world respects and a voice that has long spoken truth: Buju Banton.
I want to speak about someone whose words carry power, words that should remind us of who we are and who we should be. Words from a voice the world respects, a voice that has long spoken truth to people everywhere: Buju Banton.
In his song – Hills and Valleys, Buju says: “Who free the people. Over hills and valleys, too. Don’t let dem fool you. Don’t believe for a minute that they are with you.” Think about that. “Over hills and valleys!” – Everywhere!
That is our Dominica he is speaking about! And his words remind us that freedom is not given – it is claimed! Freedom is not promised – it is taken! And no one is going to give it to us if they are not truly with us. Do not be fooled by the empty promises of those who pretend to care. Do not, for one second, believe the same old parties are on your side – they are not!
Buju goes on to say, and I want you to hear this, he says: ‘Through that mystical communication within, we keep on coming together. I love to see brothers and sisters looking out for one another. That is the way it should be, not contrary. Stop tearing down each other.”
Do you hear that? Brothers and sisters! Looking out for each other! That is what we must do here in Dominica. That is what the Dominica Reform Party is all about – unity, care, and respect for every Dominican. Not tearing each other down. Not spreading division. But building each other up.
Buju also warns us about the traps that weaken us. He speaks about addictions and how we are ” just behaving like they want us to. I say, arrogance is much different from ignorance.” When you take an honest look at Dominica, you have to face a hard truth: our country has normalized excessive partying and alcohol consumption. It’s everywhere. And instead of addressing the harm it causes to families, young people, and communities, this behaviour is quietly encouraged by Roosevelt Skerrit and his administration because distracted people are easier to control.
This is not about judgment. This is about awareness. A clear mind is a free mind. A strong people cannot be built on escapism. You deserve leadership that invests in our country’s health, our purpose, and our future, not failed leadership that benefits when we are too distracted to demand better.
There are distractions in our lives, forces trying to keep us from seeing the truth, from rising together, from achieving what we deserve. But we can no longer fall for it. We must rise above it! We return to focusing on what matters: the freedom of our people, the strength of our communities, and the future of our children.
And Buju also reminds us there is: “Many live this life without having a clue. No reason why they are so sad and blue. Places to go, so much things to do. Not a moment to reflect on the cycle of life.” Brothers and sisters, we cannot spend our lives feeling powerless, feeling small, feeling sad! There is too much to do! There is work to be done for our families, our villages, our country. I am here, the Dominica Reform Party is here to make sure that the work gets done, that our people are empowered, and that our country rises!
Only the Dominica Reform Party truly wants to liberate our people. Only the Dominica Reform Party can bring freedom and opportunity to our island. “Don’t let dem fool you. Don’t believe one minute, they don’t like you.”
- We must come together.
- We must look out for one another.
- We must be strong.
- We must be united. And together, we will rise!
So let Buju’s words remind you of your path. Let his words inspire everyone to stand tall, to stand proud, and to fight for every inch our Dominican people deserve!
- Over hills and valleys, too, we will be free.
- Over hills and valleys, too, we will stand together.
- Over hills and valleys, too, we will make Dominica the country it once was and deserves to be, again.
Today, we say it clearly and without fear: the Dominica Reform Party exists to free the people.
