They Tried to Silence Me - Front Matter

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They Tried to Silence Me

How One Voice from Black Village Forced a Nation to Listen

The Life of Rodney Moncur

Based on archives, public records, and first-hand interviews

Foreword by Glenn E. McPhee

Al Rahming

Copyright

They Tried to Silence Me

Copyright 2025 by Al Rahming

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Disclaimer

This book is a biographical work based on extensive research using publicly available sources, government documents, media reports, and archival materials. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some dialogue and internal thoughts have been reconstructed based on available evidence and witness accounts. The author has made every reasonable effort to contact copyright holders and acknowledge sources. Any errors or omissions are unintentional and will be corrected in future editions upon notification.

The views and opinions expressed in this book are those of the subject and various quoted sources, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publisher or author.

Dedication

I first heard the name Rodney Moncur in my late teens, through a mutual friend who mentioned something about a workers party. I knew very little about the man behind the name, but it stuck with me somehow.

Years passed, and I began catching snippets of his evening talk show. There was something magnetic about his delivery - comical on the surface, but with a serious undertone that drew me in. As I matured and found my own voice as a writer, sharing my thoughts and views through my work, I sought guidance from people like Glenn McPhee, who showed me the path of authorship and pointed me toward voices worth listening to. Rodney Moncur was one of them.

I reached out to him occasionally on Facebook - cordial messages that received sporadic but warm responses. Finally, I got the invitation that would change my perspective forever: a meeting at the McDonald's in Oakes Field to present him with a copy of my first book for critical analysis.

What I expected to be a literary critique turned into something far more precious - a history lesson. He asked about my roots, my origins. When I told him about my father, his face lit up. "I knew your father," he said. "He was from Black Village too, a taxi driver." In that moment, sitting across from this man I'd only known through radio waves, I learned wonderful things about my father that shifted how I saw myself and where I came from.

That conversation was the first of many. Every meeting with Rodney was a masterclass in Bahamian history, in understanding our people, our struggles, our strength. But through it all, his key message never wavered: help people. That was his north star, his calling, his legacy.

This book is dedicated to that legacy - to the countless souls he lifted up when no one else would listen. It's dedicated to the people who shaped both his story and mine:

To my biological mother Alice, and to my aunts and sisters - all unofficially part of "the women dem" he championed so fiercely.

To Tonya, who was absolutely starstruck when I introduced her to "the leader" - your joy in that moment reminded me of his power to inspire.

To my sisters not by blood but by choice, Sonia and Natasha your compassion inspires me to write stories that matter.

And finally, to Rodney himself - teacher, mentor, keeper of our history. You showed me that my father's taxi-driving hands from Black Village were hands that built this nation. You taught me that one voice, raised with conviction and love for people, could indeed challenge an entire system.

It was a pleasure, Sir. This is for you, and for all "the people dem" whose stories deserve to be told.

Foreword

Al Rahaming is a man of many talents; his latest project, They Tried to Silence Me, demonstrates his prowess as an author. He has a remarkable ability to capture the reader’s attention as he guides along the journey through the pages. This is evident from the very first chapter. It felt as if the experiences were unfolding in real-time—each protest, demonstration and victory was vivid, and lively. Within the pages, there is history, but also an urgent reminder of the sacrifices and courage that continue to shape The Bahamas.

They Tried to Silence Me, is a must read for Bahamians — particularly those under the age of 40, who may not fully appreciate the many struggles that secured so many of the rights and privileges we currently enjoy. It is a necessary reminder of the courage required to speak truth to power. Too often, the struggles of the past fade from memory, leaving younger generations are unaware of the price that was paid for our socioeconomic status, freedom of expression, and political participation. It is my opinion that this book goes to great lengths to restore that awareness.

They Tried to Silence Me, offers a vivid glimpse into Bahamian history at the grassroots level. It documents for public awareness and posterity the story of a great Bahamian who stood as a juggernaut within Bahamian society, and left an indelible mark on the nation’s cultural and political landscape. Al Rahaming masterfully articulates the life, legacy, and lessons of a complex public figure, Senator the Honourable Rodney Moncur. His story is “a masterclass in populist rhetoric,” in his words, “this is powerful.” This is journey toward justice, equality, and self-determination.

I consider it an honour to have been given the opportunity to pen the Foreword to They Tried to Silence Me, as it allows me to be a part of a comprehensive account about a great Bahamian. By writing this book, Al Rahaming has made a significant contribution to Bahamian literature and cultural expression.

They Tried to Silence Me is more than a narrative; it is a testament to resilience, conviction, and the unyielding Bahamian spirit of a man determined to ensure that the voices of ordinary Bahamians are heard. I commend Al Rahaming for this remarkable contribution, and I invite every reader to engage deeply with its pages. They inspire gratitude for the freedoms we possess, courage to defend them, and wisdom to pass on to future generations.

Glenn E. McPhee, OM

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