Social Media is a powerful tool and its power ought to be used to promote rather than destroy. Sadly, persons utilising social medial seem to thrive on heightening the negative while the positive is ignored. In many instances well-meaning institutions and persons are attacked while delinquency is celebrated. Does social media postings really reflect majority opinion? Not necessarily. Often there are many persons expressing alternative views – in their various corners – who are not desirous of attracting attention to themselves and suffering the attacks of those who choose to use social media to denigrate rather than to promote.
Many of us are familiar with the quote – “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” John F. Kennedy referenced this quote, which is attributed to Edmund Burke, in a 1961 speech. If the only voices regularly heard are those that denigrate and deride all the progressive efforts made by individuals and institutions, those voices will triumph and the pervasive view will be that we are failures, individually, collectively and as a nation. Understandably, successful and enterprising persons or persons who are seeking to better their circumstances will be slow to associate with failing persons or institutions. Why then do many of us delight in presenting Anguilla in a negative light?
When we remain silent and let negative talk become pervasive, we tacitly support the erosion of our people and our institutions. The few brave souls that raise their voices, in support of the well-meaning and progressive work of individuals and institutions, need company urgently. The supportive voices that are needed must not simply, blindly, advocate but must judiciously consider the roles being carried out by individuals and institutions that have been accorded heavy responsibility. Their judicious consideration of these roles should result in the applauding of efforts and gains made towards achieving national goals. Such judicious consideration must also result in the issuing of constructive criticism where merited.
As the 2020 General Elections draw closer, we expect that politicians and their supporters will highlight areas, in our development, where progress or even change is required. In doing so it would demonstrate maturity and honesty if politicians and supporters also took the time to acknowledge where progress has been made and positive change has been implemented. If we can only find occasions to denounce, rather than to celebrate, we accept that politicians (present and past) have failed and that we, the people of Anguilla, have failed miserably since we will be accepting that throughout our lives we have engaged in poor choices, resulting in no national development. A truly objective assessment of changes in Anguilla, over the past fifty to sixty years, can only reasonably lead to the conclusion that we have seen progress – remarkable progress in some instances. Why deny our nation’s accomplishments simply because we take issue with who led or is leading a progressive initiative?
When a salesperson is selling a product he or she highlights all the finer points of that product. Anguilla and all its services are our products that we should be seeking to sell on a daily basis, if we are to attract local and foreign investors. It has been proven that, if you say something often enough and loud enough it is very likely to be viewed as gospel. Is it really our desire for the negatives we proclaim at the top of our voices, about our Health, Education, Ports and Tourism products, to be viewed as gospel? Very often our attitudes and behaviour are counterproductive to our stated desire of wanting the best for Anguilla and Anguillians. If, there are those amongst us who will insist on denigrating Anguilla, to progress their personal agenda, then the many silent persons must now sound their voices to ensure that evil does not triumph here in Anguilla.
The triumph of Anguilla can only benefit us all. Let’s ensure Anguilla’s triumph by our words and actions.
