A new day is dawning in Anguilla the “crown jewel” of the Eastern Caribbean; because an intergenerational cross-section of individuals have banded together to affirm they will “Be the Change”.
Yours truly is convinced that in spite of…temporary setbacks a positive change is blowing in the wind. It has been said that “a setback is a setup for a comeback”. So, even though some situations are now in crisis at the moment, and it poses some kind of danger, there is also a tremendous opportunity for dire hearted Anguillans, their friends and supporters to share collective work and responsibility to restore the “Rock” to her traditional greatness…..i.e. an island community of intergenerational peace loving families, mannerly children, a positive value system that was second to none, caring, sharing, giving having a strong sense of community, our African ancestors gave us “jollification” and “back in the day” we embraced it as a ritual for every occasion. We lived by the old adage “it took a village to raise a child”. Thus your child is my child and my child is your child.
Even the way we greeted each other with warm smiles, “good morning”, “howdy”, “righto” was so genuine. No one ever just said “hi”. We asked children how they were doing in school, are they behaving? We looked out for one another and had each other’s back. Somewhere along the line, an intergenerational divide took place. And this is not going to be popular, but history has shown that whenever traditional societies like (the “Rock” “back in the day”) that had strong community cultural ties; begin to embrace other folk’s culture as rites of passage; it causes a breakdown in the “village”, especially among our youth.
“Be the Change” is realistic and doable. Firstly, for the sake of Anguilla’s children, their parents and guardians; I am making a special appeal for humanitarian reasons for employers to “Be the Change”. Many working men and women, who are parents, have to leave their children at home to fend for themselves before and after school. Anguilla’s children are in fact your future employees. Please be so kind to consider implementing flexible changes for the day shift hours on a case by case basis. In so doing, working parents would be able to take their children to school and get home before they return to supervise them. Let me assure you, it would indeed make a major difference for Anguilla’s children (your future employees), parents and guardians. It is also to your credit as an employer, to make a progressive investment in your organization’s culture, by expressing a firm commitment to the future generation of your workforce.
As an educator, whenever I have encountered children who seem to become agitated with each other, the first concern that comes to my mind, it is an urgent cry for help. A second and real concern is they may be dehydrated. Anguilla has a tropical climate with gentle sea-breezes. Yet, it is so easy to become dehydrated, especially during the midday heat. As yours truly had previously suggested, and my suggestions were implemented at the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive High School; each school should be equipped with lots of drinking water. Students should be taught and encouraged to drink lots and lots of water on a daily basis. Not only is it a positive healthy habit, it helps to ease ensuing tension. I trust that most schools will also follow the example of the East End school, and provide a hot home cooked meal for students during the course of the school day. As most of us know, a balanced diet provides brain power for children’s positive growth and development.
Anguilla’s, churches and schools as community institutions should initiate and develop conflict resolution mediation programs; whereby a number of young people are trained in neutral mediation techniques to learn how to resolve their differences peacefully. After school programs, homework clubs, motivational seminars and mentoring programs, are supportive resources that can help our youth maintain positive behavior.
At this juncture, I would be remiss, if I did not give honorable mention to Mr. Eric Hughes (a son of Anguillan parents from Long Bay, born in the U.S (who is ever so proud of his Anguillan roots and has been visiting Anguilla since the late 60’s). A few years ago, he proposed a sports niche to Anguilla’s Sports Authority for the betterment of Anguilla’s youth. Some of the benefits to Anguilla’s youth to name a few are: (it would enrich and upgrade their critical thinking skills for greater academic success, foster positive social interaction, improve self-esteem and self-worth, instill positive values, learn to appreciate working together as a team; teach a cross-section of youth from various villages peaceful conflict resolution; as well as train them to plan, coordinate and manage year round fun filled competitive tournaments throughout Anguilla). It would also distill this superficial notion that our 35 square mile island is off-limits to anyone who is not from the same “village”.
The sports niche also has some broader futuristic benefits for Anguilla’s overall economy; but I am not at liberty to go into any more detail. I surely hope though, that within the new climate of concerned individuals, who are striving collectively to “Be the Change”, to help our youth to pass the peace pipe; someone would find it fitting to reach out to this proud son of Anguillan parents immediately; to learn more, and at least give this program serious consideration for the sake of Anguilla’s youth. What a better way and time than now to use it, as one of the tools to teach Anguilla’s children that we are “One Family”?
Message to young brothers and sisters: Anguilla is yours…you had better be ever so proud of her, reclaim your birthright, respect and protect each other, because you are truly blessed to have come of age on that beautiful island (the “crown jewel” of the Eastern Caribbean) that lies beneath the scorching Caribbean sun. Let the sun shine in, become God fearing, pray for guidance from the Most High, walk in the light, find your purpose in life, write down your short-term and long-term goals, eat a balanced diet, drink lots of water, find a trusted mentor to talk to, stay in school, read, write down your thoughts, help a child with their homework, learn to write and communicate effectively, dream big and pursue your goals, learn a trade, learn to swim and enjoy the “best beaches in the world”, learn more about our Anguillian tradition of seafaring and boatbuilding, organize a peaceful “jolly” or “jollification” for a purpose, surround yourself with positive peers, learn to feel good about yourself, respect yourself, your parents/guardians, your pastors, your teachers, your classmates, your friends, your neighbors, your elders, your community… life is so precious love yourself, “love thy neighbor as thyself” and affirm I am and will “Be the Change” to make peace with situations.
Finally, in the meantime, let there be peace and more peace…God bless Anguilla…..her families and our children. May the ancestors continue to find them in their favor.
Name held upon request
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
