2009 ends on the beginning of a new decade. Yet the cyclic nature of its passing is not found in the logic of what we did, as it is lodged in the psychology of why we did it. But our fulfillment and failure revealed lessons for all times as we enter into another dimension of time and space.
Although we were dare-deviled into noiseless miscalculations and our collective actions were rope-tight around confusion, 2009 ended with the rhetorical questions: Shall we continue in mediocrity or shall we defend our island states, whatever the cost may be?
I look back through symbolic eyes at 2009 and gaze ahead through hope-filled lens at 2010. I don’t think we have satisfactory answers for the many mistakes we should have avoided, but we don’t have to jeopardize our desire to learn from them.
Backward look
In sum, 2009 highlighted a rich tribute of our survival instincts. Yet the truth is most incidences and events were experienced at a visceral level and on a personal basis.
Examples: a mother lost her job and had little resources to feed her children as domestic economies were punished by the global recession; the Summit of the Americas held in Trinidad was a resounding success but at grave inconvenience to a homeless person; a cousin was trapped in the freedom of movement myth and deported, as regional leaders’ icy demeanor for the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Caribbean Single Market Economy was exposed; a husband mourned his young wife and a grandmother buried her teenager grandson, as unprecedented gruesome crimes swept through the Caribbean with overwhelming speed and gravity. The list goes on.
Though we don’t always recognize it, each of these incidences and events are symbolic moments to pursue the objectives of national and regional development: to advance our individualized and collective aspirations, to get to truly know and co-operate with each other, and to build life-sustaining solutions to shared problems.
Taken together, the big troubles and small victories of 2009 imply that we must value our own human capital, we must support each other, and we must be willing to stumble into success, by working through misfortunate. We ought not to let any attempt at future triumph fail. No need to antagonize each other at the expense of regional wellbeing. Advances of self-centeredness have produced too many setbacks.
I believe that by simply using the pains of 2009 to clarify the prospects of 2010, Caribbeaners have the power to change their future in fundamental ways and much for the best. If we are tired of making excuses for our lack of integration and collective envisioning, a shift in consciousness and behavior will renew our pride and fortify our identity.
Forward gaze
In 2010 our challenge will be to understand our Caribbean neighbors in order to improve our chance at regional development. Within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), do we really know each other?
Have we considered the point of view of other islanders on issues that are important to us? What is it? How will the needs of St Lucia be affected by the decisions that St Kitts & Nevis will make? If we are going to be more strategically relevant and operate in the global village with far reaching influence, in 2010 we will have to understand the nature of the perception we have of each other, before we come to the decision making table. What image does Montserrat, Tortola and Anguilla have of each other?
In Caricom, what impression does Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) have of Antigua & Barbuda (A&B)? Does T&T perceive A &B favorably? What about Barbados and St Vincent? Are there negative stigmas that determine how regional agreements are enacted or neglected? Is there a perception of honor, truth and reliability between Guyana and Jamaica? If we have neutral, positive or negative views of each other, we will have to find out what are the underlying causes, and tease out important lessons from them.
Understanding each other at the deepest level involves walking in the other person's shoes. This will provide win-win answers to anticipated problems. If we are going to discuss complex and annoying issues, we will have to unravel layers of critical problems, hunt for the best ideas regardless of pedigree and geography, and search for the common ground.
2010 presents Caribbean leaders with a turning-page opportunity to speak the truth to each other and to the people. In a perfect world, every prime minister tells the truth. But we don’t live in a perfect world. Given our regional landscape of survival, political leaders have all kinds of reasons to conceal the truth. Beneath diplomacy and politeness, indifference and apathy are discerned. Dishonest talk complicates but honest dialogue liberates. Helping each other understand, why unpopular decisions are taken, will strengthen fragile relationships and convey mutual respect.
Ultimately, and especially in the smaller islands, where everything under the sky is seen through color coded political eyes, the best way to stop normalized deceit, is to create a culture of transparency and accountability. This charge must be led by investigative and fair-minded media probing and reporting. The Caribbean media must educate the people to expect forthright disclosures and punish leaders who disguise the truth or withhold essential facts for political gains.
To have confidence in the values, diverse cultures and ideals of Caribbeaners, we will have to cultivate a long-term viable vision with short-term action steps, geared towards regional advancement.
I believe that Caribbeaners and their leaders can relate to each other with compassion and determination. If they do, then 2010 will yield phenomenal good. But leadership competencies will have to be placed way ahead of bloated egos and regional pride will have to be expressed in tangible accomplishments. Caribbean leaders must get to know each other. Caribbeaners must make sure that regional goals are workable and beneficial to the entire region. Caribbean intellectuals and social commentators must ensure that every island state understands how it fits into an overall strategy of progress. And every citizen and resident of the Caribbean must learn to accept constructive criticisms to encourage excellence throughout the region.
Conclusion
If you are frustrated at seeing the Caribbean follow the trends rather than lay new tracks, a fresh and unified mindset that showers our people with quality of life prosperity is realizable. But you must be willing to bring it to fruition. Break the silence at home by standing up for what is right. Engage in some worthy social initiative in your village. Apply your faith based energies to solve social problems.
By one brave decision at a time, we can compel the international community, to turn to the Caribbean for models of leadership in peace, transparency and justice. We can encourage our global partners to follow our approach to environmental protection. We can inspire them to patternize how we practice healthy democracy.
History proves that whenever the people’s ferment, condition and impulses are invested in their collective destiny, they will find a larger goal than was possible. That goal will be reached--- at first, by inspiring curiosity, then by persistent boldness, and finally, by great achievement. Through backward gazing and forward acting, 2010 is full of staggering possibilities and catastrophic pitfalls. We must seize the good.
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