There is so much we should be talking about.
As a writer, there’s so much going on at home and abroad to write about that it is becoming difficult to focus on any one particular subject. To this end, I will offer my views on multiple fronts, starting at home.
The concerns abound about what’s happening on our roads, the ongoing political conflicts affecting our region, plus how America and its decisions are affecting regional travelers.
As for our road’s issues, there are several issues, starting with the volume of vehicles on island that seems to make getting from one point to another a nightmare.
Then, there is the ‘night vission’ problem of the use of bright lighting on most vehicles on our roadways. The speed on our highways and roads is also becoming a major concern.
We have deaths frequently caused by reckless driving and to top-it-up, the painting of road lines or the introduction of reflectors or signage are all issues not being addressed on a timely basis. But it’s time for the police to deal with night driving issues and enforce the island’s laws more quickly where necessary.
The spate of killings in the early part of this year seems to suggest that the mindset towards criminality is still a major concern.
As for working and opportunities, much more is available in various sectors but the generation that should be taking advantage of opportunity (meaning the young and able-bodied persons) seem not interested in finding meaningful employment.
Then there’s the issue of the long-adopted fast-food culture that’s creating a health disaster and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later; and though going unnoticed, we have a quickly-rowing population of gamblers, everybody trying “to win a money” by spending all they have on slot machines.
In the region, the once-united Caribbean islands are now forced to take sides either in support of America, or to keep the important link with our South American friends.
The threat of war in our region is real, and the dismantling of our economic strides is also a concern, especially where it comes to our CIP programs. And now, to top it up, travelers have to deal with the new visa and travel restrictions that leave most people not knowing what is next, or where to turn to.
Many people are still of the mindset that if not America, there’s nowhere else to go. But the cost of imports is spiraling daily and the direction we are forced to adopt and follow is costly and prohibitive to most families.
Despite the overwhelming victory of the Labor Party at the polls, many people are bent on spewing out negativity about the government’s every policy decision.
In education, despite the clear efforts of the government towards increasing diversity in the education system, many parents still discourage their children from pursuing technical education, also despite the fact that going technical can become a lifesaver as it relates to our development and future.
Times are challenging and changing rapidly but the broad education needed for adjustments in our society are still not being addressed, so, to me, education must be done outside the school and off the benches as well.
We have to begin to look inward, because development is about being skilled, educated and resilient; we also have to do better at establishing standards, as well as quality, in everything we do; we have to learn to give an honest day’s work in exchange for a honest pay check; and the bluffing scams by ripoff artist have to be dealt with, once and for all.
And finally, we ought not to side with Uncle Sam against our region and our people, because by doing that, those of us who are, should realize they are helping to re-enslave ourselves, all over again.
The freedoms we have attained through the years must be guarded and protected at all costs and colonization must not remain rooted in our lives, because if we put our values in the American dream, some dreams will be shattered.