British West Indies: Almost Independent

BRITISH WEST INDIES

Independence is good for my country We have no sugar, but we got tourism Papa Bird is the Moses of Antigua. The "Papa Bird" celebrated in this popular calypso song is Vere Cornell Bird, a mulatto who for two decades has been the prophet of Antiguan independence. Ever since Britain began the evacuation of empire, even the tiniest of its island colonies in the West Indian crescent has craved recognition of its separate identity. Last week Britain granted "associated statehood"—something above colonial status but below independence—not only to Antigua but also to Grenada, St. Lucia,...