Anguillians are extremely critical of each other. This often results in us not being viewed as capable, deserving or trustworthy. Very often capable Anguillians are overlooked for opportunities because they have been publicly criticized and denounced by fellow Anguillians. Sadly, it appears that we are not sufficiently discerning to recognize when we ought to put aside our petty differences for the greater good.
A glaring example of this is the criticism and denouncements that are often heard in reference to the operations of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla (NCBA). It is indisputable that Anguillians felt and continue to feel a great sense of disappointment at the closure of our two indigenous banks (NBA and CCB). What is also indisputable is that Anguillians from all walks of life were in very real danger of losing their life savings and that the Banking Resolution prevented such an eventuality. Our deposits were safeguarded and we continue, through the government’s ownership of NCBA, to hold an interest in a banking institution. This is something to be nurtured and treasured so that we are never troubled by the dangers and worries faced by all and sundry, by virtue of the failure of NCBA’s legacy banks.
Despite the clear opportunity and hope offered by the establishment and ongoing operations of NCBA, comments are raised and questions are asked and ventilated using all available media, in circumstances which denigrate rather than promote the value of NCBA to us all, from a national and individual perspective. In such situations motives or levels of intelligence must be questioned.
While, as individuals, we cannot control the motivations of others, we can seek to ensure that our comprehension levels are such that we can discern for ourselves what is beneficial rather than detrimental to us – from a national or individual perspective. While, the adage, “reading is fundamental” comes to mind, it has become increasingly obvious that reading without the requisite comprehension is unhelpful and in some instances destructive. We must, therefore, exert significant efforts on improving our comprehension level. We encounter opportunities for improving our comprehension levels daily. We simply need to question information presented to us, investigate situations more closely and consider the motivations of those presenting the information. In short, we need to have enquiring minds.
The return of ‘Talk Anguilla’ on the nation’s station Radio Anguilla, with its host Keith Stone Greaves, must be celebrated. It offers an opportunity for a greater level of discernment to be brought to the various issues being touted in the run up to elections. Ideas can be tested and motivations scrutinized, hopefully with the primary goal being to realize the best for Anguilla and Anguillians. In short, where persons denounce the values associated with Anguilla and Anguillians their motivations must be carefully examined to determine whether their viewpoint can be trusted and accepted.
Our homes and our schools can play a meaningful role in developing citizens with enquiring minds. Parents and teachers need to encourage children to challenge them and the ideas they promote. Our children’s ability to challenge will demonstrate whether, having engaged in critical thinking, they have understood the issues under discussion and have not merely accepted the viewpoint presented. Our ability to successfully determine and chart a destiny beneficial to us, collectively and individually, is primarily dependent on our employing analytical skills, in our engagements with each other.
Unless persons are wholly motivated by self-interest, their engagement in critical thinking should be designed to ensure that we do not engage in gratuitous public criticism and denouncement of each other and our institutions. The advancement of Anguilla, as a nation and Anguillians as individuals, requires that we are more discerning, thereby ensuring that our words and actions do not, without justification, diminish our island and its institutions. We all win when Anguilla wins.
