Not too long ago, Saint Lucians were accused of not having any National pride. Everybody enjoyed the holidays related to national events, but participation was low, and few wore the national colours, waved flags or displayed other symbols that signified our national pride, as they seemed non-existent.
We only heard references to our Nobel Laureates, a few people took time to go to the parade, and most people went to the beach: in a nutshell, our celebration was always low-key.
But not anymore… Lo and Behold, everyone these days — from the school children, to the many business houses, ordinary people, even non-nationals and visitors — all ensure they dress-down in our national colours, or have a flag, or decorate their cars, etc.
It is like we have a new kind of pride and sense of belonging and a wanting to be identified with this nation.
I say bravo to all responsible for this new attitude.
Also bravo to all our national heroes and heroines and the government of the day for introducing the baton concept, the variety of social and recreational activities, to the many singers and musicians that ensure that the music and lyrics were national in concept; and most of all, the national motto now being spouted that we are “proud, born Lucians”.
I hope that this new feeling and desire to be nationalized will resonate in other ways as we begin to eat more local foods, support Saint Lucian businesses and be Saint Lucian “to the bone” and ensure that we highlight our country with a new pride and joy.
But I also hope that the young generation, especially young men, will realize that when they are involved in criminality, especially with the new spate of gun crimes, they are tarnishing the image of our country, and their actions erode all the good vibes that so many embrace.
As for the intellectuals, the makers of laws and the government entities, let’s hope they begin to assess the root causes of such actions and see how they can be curbed or rectified, if possible, to lessen the need for such widespread negativity.
We must not give up hope. Instead, we must strive to have more hope, cultivate a new sense of value and see our actions as detrimental. We must learn to love our neighbors and become a united people where love replaces hate and the anger we now possess can be changed to more meaningful endeavors.
We must spend our nation’s funds to improve the lives of the many and not to line the pockets of the few who have learnt how to manipulate or find devious ways to extort or remain as cons for their gain.
I see a new era, a revaluation of true belonging and identification with their nation.
I truly hope we find ways to become more productive and do more to enrich our lives. May the good Lord bless us all, may his glory shine on us all, and all the negative wishers turn away from their negative attitudes.
Let’s stop destroying and build instead.