SAINT Lucia is a unique destination which speaks volumes of its culture and its people, who are rooted with an undeniably acute sense of hard work, dedication, pride and an infinite passion for the good times.
At first glance, it is quite compelling to note that this small 238sq. ft. sub-regional state boasts two Nobel Laureates, and as well, distinguished scholars and professionals in various fields of work at home and abroad. Not forgetting too, the countless number of vendors or hucksters that line up the city streets and its environs to eke out a daily living, hustling and bustling and most times with a hearty disposition.
A notable distinction is that the island celebrates activities year round, beginning with some of its major national events at the start of the year with the Nobel Laureate Festival (January), Independence Day observance (February) and culminates with the National Day festivities (December). Interspersed between these months is a wide range of dynamic, colourful, artistic and cultural presentations that take in Jazz, Carnival, Creole Heritage Month and other events.
This has led to a tourism ‘honcho’ labelling the destination as a ‘Festival Country’.
This small island state is well known for its glamour and gaiety and the fun times that spread across the country, month after month within each year. Like many fun-loving people from the Caribbean, Saint Lucian party-goers and revelers are likened mostly to the fun-goers from Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda and other regional territories.
Taking a deeper view into the characteristics that defines this sub-regional state, it is quite puzzling to wonder, how can a people, who are so intrinsically given to ‘having a good time’ and rollicking in the memorable and fond moments that they share with their country men and women, in another breath or ‘in the blink of an eye’ resort to such dastardly criminal behaviours?
It is quite distressing that after more than 40 years, since the island gained its Independence from Britain that some people have not and some are still unable to grasp the essence of the ‘Lucian-ness’ or Caribbean vibes that makes this region, something and somewhere special in global circles.
Do some people ever take time to reflect on the long, tedious, stressful and yet sometimes rewarding journey that the island has been through over the past decades?
Despite the hardships the country has endured in the past and compounded with the social and economic challenges that we have had to face lately, over the past decade or so, isn’t there something of substance or valour that citizens can cherish or at least be grateful for.
Like many other societies, Saint Lucia too has its social ranks and status that is bestowed upon or earned by respective persons, dependent on the individual’s respective field of work or commitment towards a worthy cause.
Many persons have gone before and endeavoured to pave a pathway towards progress and productivity in the land; and now with the new buzz word ‘Sustainable Living’ becoming a phenomenal process towards earning a livelihood, there is still much scope and prospects for everyone to participate and contribute in any small measure towards ‘Nation Building’ and helping the country get back on a more solid footing.
How then, can we as citizens in the global happenings of this New Millennium stand back or sit idly by without so much as giving a fleeting glance or thought to the reckless, selfish, and traumatizing degradation that these ‘gun toting’ bandits are inflicting on citizens of the land.
There must be some form of remedial measure to help curb this incessant violence that has resulted in countless lives being lost, and mostly involving young people, primarily within the age range of 18 to 24 years old.
Take for instance, the recent triple murder at Dennery, last weekend, where at least four young persons lost their lives to brazen gun violence.
Lamenting about the sad and sordid state of affairs in the country, and taking the youngsters interest at heart, the grandmother of one of the young females appealed to the young people, the need to “stop the violence …and if you have problems with somebody , to do something differently”.
It’s a telling statement coming from one of the elders in the society, which can be regarded as a timely reminder that there are still some ‘mentors’ in the community and taking heed of the words of caution from the elders , if followed diligently can help nurture a more friendly, cooperative and productive country.
Though this plea has been reverberated over and over again, undoubtedly, there is still room for advocacy from other persons in the society; from the churches, civil society groups, law enforcement officers, educators , social activists and other like-minded persons to play a role in helping to curb this incessant, devious behaviour patterns.
Very shallow article that offered no real solutions to the violence being committed by young MEN…killing primarily young MEN. The MEN and BOYS of Saint Lucia have been neglected. Opportunities are being created exclusively for women and nothing is being done for the young MEN. Women can use their bodies to survive.
Pay attention to the broken family situation