Frequently, when you hear the news or listen to gossip, what you hear is usually the negative activity that happens from time to time. But parallel to all the negativity, we do hear of positivity, but it is usually dismissed as “no big thing”.
For instance, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that students from most schools are doing good academically, to the point that they are presently doing better at grades compared to some other students in neighbouring islands.
I took a good look at the panorama competition and the number of young and talented children I saw playing and participating left me spellbound. Gone are the days when steel band was regarded as music played by so-clled “wharf rats” and “classless people”.
When I see the amount of children learning and participating in sporting activity at the various playing fields, I am also pleasantly surprised.
I also applaud and think of the many parents who contribute financially to ensure they get involved.
I see the many self-made craft artisans and independent small and big business enterprises and I am marveled.
Now, even in politics, more women are putting up their hands as possible representatives, ensuring that they play their part in our country’s development and economic evolution.
I say all that to indicate the many positives happening around us, but still we dwell on the negatives and pay no mind to the positives.
In dealing with delinquent behavior, or with criminality, most of us — especially parents — condemn the law for stepping-in or taking lawful action.
When we assess the unemployed, we never encourage them to go and learn something meaningful for securing their future, or to become supportive to their elders.
We are quick to discourage, criticize and condemn any positive actions and we choose to do nothing to contribute to a better tomorrow or St. Lucia. We pay no attention to our health or our negative habits such as what we eat and consume, especially when it comes to the use of substances and alcohol and our sexual conduct is questionable.
Rape is okay for some, molestation of the younger ones seems alright to others, driving at astronomical speeds while under the influence is okay to many, killing another because you claim they disrespected you is treated as okay, vigilante behavior is okay too…
I can go on and on about all the negatives that we do not condemn or denounce and will not stand up against.
We have gadgets on our person and in our homes and do get and have worldwide information at our fingertips, but still, we remain ignorant and pay no mind to and do nothing to combat or change for the better.
I want to encourage more people to take the time out to read, let us embrace the positive, improve our lives for the betterment of our country, be a guide to the young, participate in any way possible and stop the lifestyle of ‘anything goes’, because now we are adopting a new style and with every activity that has judging we reject the decisions.
We always have a negative comment to add or suggest and pleasing the masses is becoming an uphill task. We breakdown before we fix up when we should be more educated and intellectual, as well as ambitious and informed.
We behave like we still live in the Stone Age and progress is not part of our DNA — and sadly, we seem hooked on misinformation. But we must try to get out of this quagmire earlier than later, or too late shall be out cry.