The views expressed herein are those of the writer and do not represent the opinions or editorial position of I-Witness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
As we face many issues in today’s world, I’ll like to encourage those persons with an audience to use their voice effectively to create a positive impact. Will Smith says, “If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better”.
Contemplate on the following questions:
1. Are we aware of the issues that affect us as a country?
2. Are we aware of the struggles that those around us face daily?
3. Are we concerned about the positive development of our country?
I’ve put together my thoughts on the following:
Crime & Violence
As issues such as crime and violence continue to escalate I ask myself, where are the voice of our leaders, our Christian Council, our Youth Council , our nation’s talented and all concerned citizens? I do not, however, mean voices that only say or ask ‘This issue needs addressing” or “When will it end?” I mean voices that are willing to share their views on the issue; voices that will seek to unite with many others to make one cry, one plea, one unified stance.
To tackle this issue we must carefully analysis it; realize what causes a person to engage in crime and violence and the best-suited ways to address the issue. Where do we begin?
Unemployment
The high rate of unemployment is a serious issue among our people, especially our youths. Those who have completed college in various fields are sending job applications to numerous business places but receiving no response. I ask the question, what are we doing? As many cry and complain about this issue, they are deemed lazy or not looking for or trying to obtain what is available. This may be true for a percentage but what about those who are trying their best?
Political division
Are you red, yellow, green or are you Vincentian? The division among our people has soared to a level that deteriorates the progress needed to take us forward. Every person has the right to support whichever side they desire but to turn this freedom of choice into an obsession fuelled by a tunnel minded perception of the perfect political party undermines this. When as a people we are at the stage where hatred, anger, disgust, violence whether physical or verbal is dished out at the persons supporting the side we oppose then we definitely have a problem. What are we doing to curb this? Are we not realizing the consequences if it is continually ignited by the silence of those at the head and those affiliated with them?
Inability to address the issues
Our inability to address these issues can be perceived as an issue itself. It is made even worse when persons refuse to let their voices be heard even when they themselves see or is affected as families, as a community and as a country. Persons most times refuse to express their opinions in a public forum but will do so in a private setting. What good will your silence do to tackle the issues that affect us daily? While we remain quiet, families are not only struggling but are mourning the loss of their loved ones. The struggle is real!! While many may love the idea of remaining silent and/or pray for a change, the great philosopher Mahatma Gandhi urges us to’ Be the change that you want to see in the world’.
Young people must take charge
If as young people we were to tap into our full potential and talent, we will be amazed at the positive changes we can bring about in our community and within the country. As youths we need to act rather than react, we need to awaken from our slumber for ignoring an issue or being unconcerned about it will not benefit us personally. You may not be directly affected by an issue now but what happens if nothing is done and the issues which affect us escalate and affect you? What then? Why sit and look around waiting for someone to stand up, step up and speak up? Why not become a leader?
As young people we must take charge, we must accept the responsibility of taking our country forward. We must be willing to think critically, we must be willing to think ‘outside’ the box, we must be willing to think positively. There are others already taking this stance, however, we must unite in numbers. No more can we sit silently or unconcerned. It is commonly said that the youths are the future of tomorrow but ask yourself this ‘if I do nothing today, what kind of future will I have tomorrow?’ Will you be able to live the life you envision? Will you be able to live as happy as you want to?
You may think that no one will listen. You may say you’re afraid or shy but if you do not speak then no- one will listen, if you remain afraid then you will forever live in fear. If we remain silent, shy and afraid what kind of future is in store for us? What kind of future can we possibly have if we’re afraid to speak, afraid to do what’s right, afraid to contribute to our country, afraid to pave the way for a better tomorrow? What sort of future do you want? That future depends on what you do today!
Dillon Ollivierre
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
You talk about unity as if this is something we have lost. But you can’t lose something you never had. Rather than unity what defines us are conflict, violence, envy, greed, slough and other pernicious elements have always characterised Vincy culture and society. We see these things in everyday life; we hear about them in the media, including this internet site.
Vincentians don’t want “peace and love” because on our tiny, poverty-stricken rock one person’s gain is perceived, often correctly, as another person’s loss. We live in a dog-eat-dog environment, an atmosphere most clearly seen and taken advantage of in the political arena.
I don’t know the way out. Maybe there is no way out. Is this view pesimistic? Perhaps. Is it realistic. Absolutely.
Many of our past contributors and world icons and historians , all had a dream and they believed in that dream and they work towards it, perhaps we dont have such dream? or perhaps we fail to dream and to believe in the possibilities that lie ahead for whatever reason