The St. Lucian electorate suffers through a debilitating, and abusive relationship with politicians. St. Lucian politicians show up during election seasons, make promises, win elections; thereafter, focus on how best they can amass wealth for themselves, their families, and selected sectors of society while dropping crumbs to the masses. They return the next election season and repeat the cycle. The electorate makes excuses for the abuses–the widespread corruptions, the fraud, the laziness, the incompetence and inefficiencies and the blatant lack of caring for their constituents—a lack of empathy and compassion. It is imperative for this cycle of abuse to stop, so tangible progress—sustainable social and economic benefits—can ensue to ALL St. Lucians. One can only hope the recent election result is a step in that direction—holding politicians accountable. For the first time in my lifetime, Micoud North, sent the UWP parking, and that speaks volume in St. Lucian politics; that speaks to a new era in Micoud; a new era in St. Lucia—a progressive step, I hope we can build on in Micoud and the rest of the country. Micoud North decided to end the abuse and put out that flame they kept burning all those years. I opt to focus on the Micoud scenario because as a fellow Micoudian, my heart aches for the state of affairs of Micoud.
Of particular significance is the abusive relationship between Micoud and the UWP that thrived for decades. Usually, people in abusive relationships make excuses for their abusers–under the pain of emotional trauma from swollen eyes, broken ribs and busted jaws—they blame themselves. The abusers have such stronghold on them no one can successfully persuade them to walk away or convince them they deserve better. And those who are lucky; usually, probably when they find themselves lying in pools of their own blood and holding unto dear life, come to the realization they deserve better. Micoud North finally woke up from that pool of blood; bruised and battered, decided enough is enough!
For too long the UWP who ruled this country for most of its existence under the leadership of John Compton and thereafter, but particularly Compton, convinced Micoudians they did not need government—they had their factories at Mahaut—they were self-sufficient. That was a mantra at all UWP rallies in Micoud. Yes, those who actually own land did well, economically; but most of those working on the farms toiling for little pay; poor, and struggling to feed their families, did not. Yet they all proudly promoted the UWP mantra- “Micoudians do not need government; we have our factories at Mahaut.” So, Micoudians felt a sense of pride supporting the UWP for decades, while being neglected (abused), and while other constituents benefited economically and socially, because they had their own factories at Mahaut. I am reminded of a quote so fitting by Steve Biko, a South African who dedicated his life to end Apartheid, “The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” For decades, UWP owned the minds of Micoudians. Do not get me wrong, I am not proposing that people should expect government to spoon feed them. What I am proposing is that St. Lucia’s resources belong to St. Lucians, and the equitable distribution of resources is imperative for economic progress for all its citizens, and politicians should not abuse their constituents and take them for granted.
An elected government is supposed to govern equitably so all constituents are given access to the resources and opportunities available; not a handful–friends and families of elected officials. Micoud have historically, been cut out from St. Lucia’s dinner table, being neglected by both political parties, because for UWP, they were a means to an end, and besides, they “have their factories at Mahaut;” for SLP, they were UWP’s problem. Hence both political parties when governing, denies Micoud decent representation. Too many Micoudians are struggling to barely survive- working their tails off and barely able to feed their families and have a decent roof over their heads. It is time the government give Micoud a piece of the St. Lucian pie—raise its social and economic infrastructures; make accessible better economic opportunities—more small business loans, grants, scholarships (among others). Micoudians are hardworking and entrepreneurial—given access to resources and opportunities, they rise to the occasions. Government is not expected to spoon feed people, but they should promiscuously, make the resources available so the people can grow the food, and make the spoons to feed themselves when the resources required are not available to them.
My hope is Micoud will continue to take politicians to task at each election cycle, regardless which party is in power or who their elected representative is—UWP, SLP or Independent; Micoudians will continue to send the message that they will no longer be taken for granted. The new generation has mustered the courage and reigned in a new era of progress in Micoud; pushed the UWP’s old guards aside and straighten their backs towards a more progressive constituent, for “whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can’t ride your back unless it is bent” (Martin Luther King, Jr.).
And while I am basking in Micoud’s courageous move to stop this abuse, may I put forward four proposals to the new Government:
1. Individuals who are elected as district representatives should not automatically be installed as cabinet ministers. Cabinet ministers should be qualified individuals able to lead the ministries efficiently. Let elected official who are not qualified to lead ministries represent their districts in more effective ways. These elected officials should be humble enough to accept when they are not qualified to lead a ministry—putting country before self.
2. Secondly, I believe that a country’s progress should be measured on how equitably its resources and opportunity are distributed. The gap between the have and the have nots in St. Lucia is too wide. The new government should put their hands where their mouths have been and start by cutting ministers’ salaries and use that money to create opportunities for the poor people of St. Lucia. Too many St. Lucians are struggling while ministers live like kings and queens on taxpayers’ dimes. You are elected to serve, not rule and live like royalty. Your time in office should be one of sacrifice, and in service to your country. “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” (Nelson Mandela).
3. Thirdly, our National Anthem leaves a lot to be desired. It has always bothered me personally; I want to believe many St. Lucians share the same sentiments. The anthem has no depth—is pedestrian and shallow at best—a lack of reflection of who we are, whence we came. When we sing our national Anthem, we should feel something deep in our souls. What do we expect, when the person who wrote our national anthem was the descendent of a slave owner, who came to help us met the God who supposedly gave them permission to enslave us? Yes, I went there! It is time we get a new national anthem written by US. This is fundamental to the pride we should take in who we are as a people.
4. Finally, it is high time we rename (St. Lucia)—back to its original name—its rightful name. That should have been done when St. Lucia became independent (sort of).
Marcia LaCorbiniere-JnBaptiste for Mayor – darn right.