We have a country of absolute natural beauty, a people who do not have to be taught how to be hospitable, in a climate that may have been created for the gods. Yet we often find ourselves wanting more, unappreciative, and quite frequently destructive.
Are we that unaware of what we have, of have we reached the point where we couldn’t care less about this “backward, third world country.”
The accolades framed on Helen’s wall stretches a distance.
For example, we can have a full discussion about Sir William Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Alton Walcott.
Do we know or care that the Arthur Lewis Auditorium, the main auditorium of Robertson Hall, home of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, was named after Sir Arthur. Do we care that “The Dual Sector Model” {The Lewis Model} introduced by Sir Arthur, has been used to explain growth paths in Asian territories such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea but has never been effectively utilized in the Caribbean or St. Lucia for that matter. And what of Sir Derek? A man whose writings are way more appreciated outside of his home country. These great figures are meant to be celebrated for the world to see yet Nobel Laureate Week every year seems to conjure up only a whisper.
Then there’s St. Lucia’s Independence Day celebrations. Without going any further, here’s a test. Ask the average St. Lucian to explain the difference between February 22nd and December 13th and that will explain everything. Additionally, we are so “wonderfully patriotic” in February, just February, with our St. Lucian flags, with or without cerulean blue. Speaking about patriotism. How “wonderfully patriotic” are we when we dispose of our garbage, indiscriminately all over the place, beaches included, without a care in the world.
Do we care that our athletes are braving the international stage now more than ever? Yes, Julien Alfred has done the unimaginable and we sing her praises daily but there are other young stars with immense potential. Kimani Melius, Zaida James, Naomi London, and Khailan Vitalis are only but a sample of the local talent on show.
What about creative arts? To some of us, that’s just not important. Just this week, a young St. Lucian released a film which has its last showing at Caribbean Cinemas this evening. This film is also being played at cinemas in at least 4 other Caribbean islands. He has already received a call from Netflix. Have we gone to see and support the film. Do we care that it was written, produced and directed by our very own Elijah Anatole, with an all-St. Lucian cast and filmed on this beautiful island.
It is a fact that our appreciation for what is uniquely St. Lucian and St. Lucian talent has dwindled over the years. The pertinent question must be asked, however. Are we able to wake Fair Helen from her slumber?