The Editor
The Anguillian,
Dear Sir
Congratulations to the teachers and students of the ALHCS for mounting an excellent exhibition of Art and Crafts held this past week at Campus B. There is no doubt that there is an abundance of diverse talent among the art students. However, I left the exhibition with a burning question in my heart. What does the future hold for these talented youngsters? I also wondered how many elected and aspiring politicians took the time to visit the exhibition.
Anguilla is currently experiencing tough economic times and there is high unemployment among our youth. This unfortunate situation can make or break Anguilla unless we pay urgent attention to the welfare of our young people. The devil finds work for idle hands. Art and crafts offer an opportunity for self-employment especially when there are no jobs available.
Elections are drawing near and I urge all young people to make this their election. Lobby all those running for office to produce practical and urgent policies to address their future survival, if they want your support. Some of the areas to address are sporting facilities, music programs to promote musical opportunities – an area in which Anguillians seem abundantly blessed. There must be ways to develop a vibrant art and craft cottage industry. To show how much respect the politicians, past and present, have for the industry they demolished an art and craft building donated by the Canadian Government, which has not been replaced to this day.
How can the politicians and the general public avoid a pending social crisis and help the cottage industry of art and crafts? Tourism is our major industry, yet if you visit the major hotels with commercial space, there is little local art and crafts or other local products. Many tourists rarely leave the hotels except to eat out at our fine restaurants and go to our beaches. As a result the most outlets outside of the hotels see less than 10% of the tourists who come to our shores. The hotels or friends and family of the owners often own the gift shops, boutiques and other commercial outlets.
It is in the interest of the hotels to address these issues or they too may pay a price for the neglect. It is my humble opinion that every hotel should have as part its MOU, or MOA, a commitment to provide at least 500 sq. feet of commercial space for local products including art and crafts. This is especially important in light of duty free exemptions. On a note of warning, there will have to be some quality control and what your product is sold for is not your concern; the hotels have huge overhead costs and will address it in their markups. On another slightly related matter, several young people suffered injuries from accidents and gun violence; and it is embarrassing and a crying shame that both Governments imposed a reportedly 21% duty and related charges on medical equipment and supplies. This should be an issue for the entire population.
Now that the politicians have our ear, one would hope that the Youth Council would continue to discuss this issue. I am sure there are many more creative and innovative suggestions on the minds of the youth. Most important, the youth should ask their parents to make their vote your vote. Parents be mindful of your children’s future.
Concerned citizen
