JULIEN ALFRED: OF GOLD AND SILVER LININGS

Not since we regained independence in 1979 have Saint Lucians been so united in the ethos of a single moment, a single milestone.

Yes, there have been other firsts, anniversaries, even Nobel Prizes in which we still rejoice. But this is different, truly global, real-time, and consequently, our greatest shared moment ever. This shining is not just sport. This is about identity.

As Walcott opened doors for Saint Lucian poets, Julien Alfred has shattered ceilings, for athletes, youth, and all Saint Lucians aspiring to be their very best… and then some.

We know we paid her insufficient mind till she made us all feel good. So, let’s not do the easy thing as usual, appropriating Julien’s glory unto ourselves. Even in our joy, let us be sobered by her long and often lonely journey to the top.

We owe it now to Julien to ensure that her singular achievement changes something fundamental for other aspiring athletes, artists, innovators brimming with inspiration, dreaming of greatness, searching for help, hoping to find one friendly door to knock on. 

Truth is, there are still too few doors, and far too few people willing to open them. Just imagine what we could achieve without the petty prejudice, the tyranny of politics and those inadequate gatekeepers, about as useful as boulders in the road.

Julien’s meteoric arc recounts the many histories which land us here: ideals of freedom, struggles for rights, battles for justice, for opportunity and autonomy in our ongoing search for courage to truly support our champions, honor our women, and love each other as ourselves.

We could have so many gold medalists among us, if we would only understand that dreamers do not conform. Visionaries do not pander.  Heroes should not be made to kneel and beg. It breaks their spirit, the very genius they need to disrupt, disturb and defy the lackluster status-quo.

With just a little leadership, we could leverage this brave new psyche of success.  We could consciously choose growth over complacency.  We could transform into a nation that embraces new ideas and energies, instead of frustrating those who have spunk enough to think beyond the boundary and nerve enough to outlive the small circumferences of islands.

Enough meaningless diversion.  What our country needs now is serious introspection.  Critical thought.  Sustained action.  Fundamental change focused on long-term goals.  And to do that, we require more than the fleeting jubilation of a one-off holiday. 

This glorious moment calls us all to make that deeply personal decision to ready ourselves, mentally and physically, for the marathon ahead, unafraid of the discipline and sacrifice it takes for our country to achieve even more than this first Olympic gold.  When Julien Alfred returns for her hero’s welcome, will she find us ready, for that …?