OFFLOADING MONKEYS FROM OUR BACKS 2018: the Year for jettisoning Falsehoods

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his year, 2018, my articles will continue to raise the level of dialogue and discussion, and hopefully bring new insight that will hasten the social and economic development of Saint Lucia. I therefore deem 2018 the year for jettisoning falsehoods and offloading the monkeys on our collective backs.

The use of humour, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues, is not new to journalists and satirists in Saint Lucia. Those old enough will remember Cocky and Stocky and Queek Quack in the Crusader newspaper and F B Eye in the Voice of the 1970s.

A picture in the STAR at the tail end of 2017 with the SLP political leader being weighed down by the heavy and ‘friendly’ arm of the former leader, both wearing party red, accompanying an article titled  ‘Can Pierre Get That Monkey Off His Back in 2018?’ was more satire than accustomed political criticism. Hopefully, that picture did not start a political storm by persons who were more concerned that the former leader is planning a comeback. Surely, only a few detractors believe that the man is a political glutton who does not know when to quit.   

The question, however, remains as to whether satire is a suitable form by which to state the obvious to Pierre, who is no spring chicken. Pierre has been active in politics for close to forty years. Still, getting rid of a red monkey from his back will require an in-depth review of his relationship with his former boss. The more thoughtful reader will ponder why 2018 may finally be the year for Saint Lucians to offload monkeys from their collective backs. This may tease the question: How can self-serving identity politics help jettison the negative mindset that is the currency of petty political divisions and a barrier to progress?

The political monkey clinging to the nation’s back is a far more insidious issue than Pierre’s red-shirted one. Getting rid of our mental road blocks and fears ought to be the first order of business in 2018 if we are to progress socially and economically. We have for too long allowed our minds to be kerfuffled by party hacks seeking an unfair advantage whilst blocking-off opportunity for ordinary citizens. This must stop! Opportunistic politicians and their hacks have had their day. It’s time to turn a new page! People who cannot change ought not to be allowed to get in the way of those who wish to work together for progress.   

Those who lead the nation, whether in the public or private sector, must amend their personal agendas to devote more time and energy in helping to develop this country. We must learn to free our minds from the narrow partisan politics, prejudices and envy that have for too long frustrated a more speedy development of this island. In 2018 these negative traits must be replaced by hope, kindness, and a more positive attitude.

Was it not politics that brought us the ill-fated winds of jealousy, greed and hatred that has spread so much ignorance and confusion? It is unfortunate that politics seems to attract certain characters whose best habits are to use words as tools of division. Such people seem incapable of saying or doing anything positive, or of being enlightening and inspiring. They seem incapable of building a better and kinder society. Unfortunately, too many politicians have displayed a propensity for self-indulgence, which places them and their families before the country and even at the mercy of their cunning hacks.

It makes no sense repeating the mistakes of the past; we must resolve to change for the better. We do not need to import into a brand new year the same flawed opinions of small minds, whether in public or private life. We need to avoid the poisoned words and actions of the few who seem determined to make life difficult for the rest of us – the majority. Who will lead in this new resolution to rid the country of fakery and falsehood, redeeming politics as an art, worthy of pursuit? Shouldn’t we seek out and elect community leaders and entrust them to work within their respective communities for the betterment of the nation? Does 39 years of independence mean anything to the negative thinkers in our midst?

I have long grappled with the idea that political man ought to be an instrument of God’s grace, and that his life at some mature stage of his political journey ought to evolve into a melody of God’s blessings. For this reason, it ought not to go unnoticed when a government cannot bring itself to invoke the name of God in its private or public proceedings. The people ought to be prepared for the worst.

In this regard one may ask whether our constitution and laws ought to be written by persons who do not believe in an idea superior to their limited vision. Without a broader, more philosophical view, how can self-serving identity politics help politicians offload the monkeys off their backs? Who is there in 2018 so bold and so free to answer such questions candidly?

As the country approaches its 39th anniversary of independence, the time has come for us to grow up. Individuals who share the nation’s age may now be considering regular medical checkups. As they approach the magical 40-year, sportsmen and women begin to feel the extra effort it takes to reach peak performance. They soon discover that maintaining peak performance (injury-free) becomes increasingly difficult and worrisome. The nation ought to take note.

In celebrating another new year, whether of a calendar or of independence, we learn and grow, and hopefully evolve into better humans. Those in authority need to recognize the urgent need for greater training that would allow different talents to grow more speedily. People are differently able and the ‘one size fits all’ approach to education and training will no longer work. To jettison falsehoods, offload the monkeys from our backs. To forge ahead confidently must be the prayer and wish of every patriotic Saint Lucian in 2018, wherever they may be.