It seems that heart-breaking, sorrowful and dreadful events are given a certain preeminence in our lives, whether in the media or our memory banks. The tenor of our Country for example skews more toward the feelings associated with all the present negatives of our communities – violence and violent crime, political polarization and disharmony, the delinquency of so many of our youth, and not to mention, the uncertainty of the performance of an economy that to date has gone un-mastered and with respect to Bahamians, generally un-owned. And so we find ourselves overwhelmed by the accompanying statistics, 70 or so murders, a high percentage of AIDS infection, an overall failing grade in our schools, leaders with conflicting solutions, and the list goes on and on.
It is this preoccupation with our shortcomings, disappointments, differences, and fears, I believe that has stifled us in our creative and innovative expressions as a people. There is no doubt that Bahamians are a peculiar people, full of amazing potential, and survivors by design. Wherever we seriously apply our talents, we succeed, on the world stage. Yet while we have exhibited this to some degree in the Arts and in Sports, we haven’t really given our World any major discoveries, inventions or scientific and technological advances. I recall that a Bahamian woman once designed a shoe that can be worn several ways but there are no inventions to date from this Country, equivalent to the significance of the light bulb or the airplane, and there certainly is no Space program that will eventually lead to a conch-shell from our waters, landing on the moon.
A major part of the challenge of our going from ordinary to extraordinary, from Third World to First World rests in our ability to come alive, to unlock our very natural creative wizardry, and redirect the explosive energies of our youth. There is so much emphasis on the amenities, privileges, and systemic efficiencies that make for a First World quality of life, and these all have their places. However, none rivals the importance of the development of our human capital, without which, those tangibles cannot be sustained or advanced.
Ours is a Country largely of imitation and imports. From our language and educational curriculum, to our electronics and automobiles, to our judicial and parliamentary procedures, to the clothes we wear and the things that entertain us most, we are not our own. We have yet to find the will and formula to produce enough from our land and waters to feed ourselves. So the question begs, “Who are we, where are we, and where do we go from here?”
The starting point to adopting solutions, and reversing these unfortunate truths, is a shift in perspective and attitude. Gratitude, believe it or not, carries much of the secrets to inspiring a people to excel. When we become grateful for the journey thus far, proud of being Bahamian, whatever that turns out to be, and mindful of the large and small blessings so prevalent among us in our daily lives, then and only then will we start to become the kind of citizens, World citizens we are destined to be. Because the ultimate truth is that, notwithstanding all that is lacking and must be achieved, we are a “glass” more full than empty.
We are alive, over three hundred thousand strong. Our young are more in numbers, productive than the few destructive. We have the right to speak our minds, vote, and worship God without the fear of incarceration, torture or death. And history serves as a testament that we have the wherewithal to manipulate our economy sufficiently to always ensure the viability of the next generation. Why? Because the one thing sufficiently innovative about us, and not imported or mimicked, is our hallowed and indomitable spirit. Challenge us to rise and we will!
This Thanksgiving season therefore, I just want to pause and thank our God for being Bahamian. How about you?
It is this preoccupation with our shortcomings, disappointments, differences, and fears, I believe that has stifled us in our creative and innovative expressions as a people. There is no doubt that Bahamians are a peculiar people, full of amazing potential, and survivors by design. Wherever we seriously apply our talents, we succeed, on the world stage. Yet while we have exhibited this to some degree in the Arts and in Sports, we haven’t really given our World any major discoveries, inventions or scientific and technological advances. I recall that a Bahamian woman once designed a shoe that can be worn several ways but there are no inventions to date from this Country, equivalent to the significance of the light bulb or the airplane, and there certainly is no Space program that will eventually lead to a conch-shell from our waters, landing on the moon.
A major part of the challenge of our going from ordinary to extraordinary, from Third World to First World rests in our ability to come alive, to unlock our very natural creative wizardry, and redirect the explosive energies of our youth. There is so much emphasis on the amenities, privileges, and systemic efficiencies that make for a First World quality of life, and these all have their places. However, none rivals the importance of the development of our human capital, without which, those tangibles cannot be sustained or advanced.
Ours is a Country largely of imitation and imports. From our language and educational curriculum, to our electronics and automobiles, to our judicial and parliamentary procedures, to the clothes we wear and the things that entertain us most, we are not our own. We have yet to find the will and formula to produce enough from our land and waters to feed ourselves. So the question begs, “Who are we, where are we, and where do we go from here?”
The starting point to adopting solutions, and reversing these unfortunate truths, is a shift in perspective and attitude. Gratitude, believe it or not, carries much of the secrets to inspiring a people to excel. When we become grateful for the journey thus far, proud of being Bahamian, whatever that turns out to be, and mindful of the large and small blessings so prevalent among us in our daily lives, then and only then will we start to become the kind of citizens, World citizens we are destined to be. Because the ultimate truth is that, notwithstanding all that is lacking and must be achieved, we are a “glass” more full than empty.
We are alive, over three hundred thousand strong. Our young are more in numbers, productive than the few destructive. We have the right to speak our minds, vote, and worship God without the fear of incarceration, torture or death. And history serves as a testament that we have the wherewithal to manipulate our economy sufficiently to always ensure the viability of the next generation. Why? Because the one thing sufficiently innovative about us, and not imported or mimicked, is our hallowed and indomitable spirit. Challenge us to rise and we will!
This Thanksgiving season therefore, I just want to pause and thank our God for being Bahamian. How about you?
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