Don’t miss it!

LET’S face it, many of us won’t be around to witness the island’s 100th Anniversary of Independence.

 

While that may seem like a very morbid way to start this week’s commentary, it serves as a gentle reminder for those of us who claim that they have no interest in the celebrations.

 

So many can still remember the grand spectacle at the Garrison Savannah the night Barbados gained its independence. Certainly there are newspaper articles and television clips that have archived the momentous occasion, however certainly nothing could compare to seeing it with one’s own two eyes.

 

Fifty years later, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate another landmark period in the history of Barbados. After all, 50 years from now, persons will be doing their research and will be talking about what we did to celebrate our Golden anniversary.

 

The reality is that the country is facing some challenges. Several sectors are being adversely affected, and some are saying we should dial down the celebrations. However, others may argue that we need this now more than ever.

 

For many, it should be a reminder of where the country was and the path that it has taken over the past five decades and to be recognised as a country that punches above its weight.

 

Certainly that is something that should be celebrated. We have had outstanding leaders, and many more sons and daughters of the soil who should be celebrated for their efforts.

 

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, during the launch of the National Independence celebrations at the beginning of the year, asked Barbadians to consider three questions. The one that caught this writer’s attention was: What features of Barbadian life have we lost that we need to reclaim? To my mind, we have lost our love and respect for each other, particularly our elders, as well as our community spirit and our industriousness.

 

This is a prime opportunity for us to revisit how that which was lost over the past 50 years. How with development, we seemingly have forgotten others along the way. How a simple act of looking out for our community, sharing what little we have with others – be it a breadfruit or cassava – is now lost. We now have to buy everything, and most of it is imported.

 

How and when did our industriousness disappear? Why is it that our forefathers could brag of making a living by the sweat of their brow, yet a few generations later, “easy money” is now the order of the day?  Our innovation has taken a beating, instead many of us are waiting patiently for a job to be placed in our laps, preferably by the Government of the day, which as we can clearly see cannot afford it at this time.

 

I believe that now is a good time to really ask ourselves some difficult questions at the individual level. What are we doing to lift the country up? As we see the anniversary draw closer, let’s ask these questions while celebrating the many accomplishments of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.