BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Our St. Kitts and Nevis society is permeated with a plethora of negative attitudes which have brought about a decline in the Federation’s quality of life. The reversal of these attitudes can likewise be the forerunner to improved conditions.
This was the message brought by guest speaker Charles Wilkin CMG, QC to patrons attending the fund raising Gala Banquet of the Advancement of Children Foundation. The function was held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Saturday 24th September, 2011.
Dubbed ‘One Enchanted Evening’, the event received a message from their Guest Speaker that was far from enchanting to the ears or psyche, but was a necessary cold reality check of the prevailing attitudes which underpin the “serious decline in public order, discipline and behaviour” that residents of the twin-island state presently experience.
In a blunt, no holds barred speech, Wilkin summarised the attitudes which, when stacked together, made it understandable to listeners why our culture had declined to such a low level that it robbed St. Kitts and Nevis of its potential to become a country with a high standard of living and a good quality of life.
He then followed up the listing of negative attitudes by suggesting to the Council of the Advancement of Children Foundation the focus and actions they ought to take to address the negative attitudes and cultural influences in the society.
In brief, the negative prevailing attitudes he listed were these:
- The “me” attitude (of selfishness and self indulgence) which outweighs in too may of our people the duty to others and community. This attitude has also impacted negatively on the upbringing of our children.
- The “entitlements” or “freeness” attitude encouraged by our politicians over the years by the unsustainable promises to the electorate which have created a mentality or culture that Government can and should supply all our needs and wants at subsidised or no cost.
- The disinclination to become involved in the work of the society...leave it to the Government is the feeling.
- The attitude to politics which can be summed up in the widely used word “tribalism”. A quote from the 2010 Report of the National Competitiveness Council underscored this fact thus: “The political culture on St. Kitts clearly impacts negatively upon productivity in our economy and therefore our competitiveness.”
- The attitude to littering – not long ago St. Kitts had the reputation of being the cleanest island in the Caribbean. No more.
- The attitude to traffic – the roads are free for all. Drivers drive and stop as they like and pedestrians walk wherever and however they wish. To hell with everyone else is the prevailing attitude.
- The attitude to vending – everyone is free to set up wherever they want in public spaces. Even Independence Square is not exempt. We ignore at our peril the economic consequences of this particular disorder... Anti-social behaviour threatens our economy. There have been countless incidents of abusive and threatening behaviour by female beach vendors towards tourists and between themselves in the presence of visitors.
- The attitude to work, partly fallout of the entitlements mentality which could also have grave economic consequences... Look at the number of working people strolling around town during working hours. Go into an office and see how many people are on their cell phone. In many Government offices the employees do not deal with the public like civil servants but behave like masters. On building sites and road works locations – see how many are actually working – usually a minority. Productivity is a key factor in economic development.
- The attitude to service and the confusion between service and servitude.
- We have lost the art of self sufficiency. Few people have backyard gardens anymore.... and what has happened to the fruit trees?...We have become lovers of apples and pears in place of the infinitely more nutritious local fruit.
- The attitude to parenting. The attitudes of males begin before conception with indifference to that possibility and in too many instances to the age of the female involved. It continues in pregnancy with disregard for the pregnant mother and after birth with disregard for mother and child. Where there is attention paid to the child it too often takes the form of indulgence rather than nurturing, and complacency rather than discipline. Little is done by way of setting an example.
Too often children have to watch their mother being abused...TV is a convenient substitute for parental guidance.
Teachers who try to impose discipline are at risk of abuse or attack. Relatives and neighbours dare not get involved as used to be the norm.
Using the Charles Edwards quotation, “"Attitudes are the forerunners of conditions", Guest speaker Wilkin went on to state that “the reversal of these attitudes can likewise be the forerunner to improved conditions”.
His advice to the Advancement for Children Foundation follows:
- “I believe the most impactful way at this time to address negative attitudes and cultural influences is to highlight them graphically to our society. ACF should in other words itself become vocal and fund programmes which loudly bring home to our society that things must change and the dangers we all face if they do not. It should also lobby government for changes in policy and legislation where required.
- We will have to persuade politicians that difficult as it may be for them to tell their constituents the harsh truth, there is no credible option.
- It is also timely that we begin a national discussion on the ways of countering the negative effects of technology which are helping to frame our culture and which are influencing our children for good and bad.
- We must embrace technological developments if we are to compete as a nation but we must seek to minimise the downside of this growing feature of our lives.
- ACF should also tell, or promote the telling of, the life stories of many of our nationals, who, here and abroad, have become role models and outstanding citizens despite very challenging and difficult beginnings.
It is a major weakness of our society that we do not record our history nor do we document for posterity the achievements of our people. We know the warning to a people who do not know their history.”
However, Wilkin warned that in the midst of our gloom, we ought not to forget the youth, youth groups and organisations that are impacting positively on their peers and society. He singled out among others the National Youth Parliamentary Association, Kim Collins and other athletes who have made us proud.
Stating that “a country is only as strong as its civil society”, he urged all present to volunteer their services to their community as it was incumbent on each of us “by our conduct as well as words to influence those around us for the better”.
With those words of guidance, he concluded and consolidated with a memorable quote from Kahlil Gibran:
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”
