Happy Independence Bahamas

This past weekend for the first time Tedx GrandBahama was held here in the Canal House, Pelican Bay and I am so glad that I did not miss this event.

Even more than that I had expected this event blew my mind away. I know that Bahamians are capable of mature intellectual discussions, but for a very long time I had not been any where to hear the ideas and thoughts that were not politically motivated.

What I was visualizing in my last post I saw a glimpse of on Saturday just looking at the audience and hearing the speakers.

Again I commend Earl and Katariah Taylor for bringing Tedx to Grand Bahama and hosting such a great day. I trust that as they continue to do this on an annual basis, more people will endeavour to take part and to sponsor.

Prior to this event and after my last post on Friday I was ready to give writing this blog a sabbatical, but I could not after hearing so much.

I wondered if I could put down some of the things then I remembered that this week we in The Bahamas and Bahamians everywhere are celebrating 41 years of independence this week. 

As with most things I think so far we may have come out of the cell but we are still within the institution and its time for us to put our thinking caps back on to push this country forward.

Sitting on the traffic light the other day I began to think about culture and progress and if they really can co-exist. Back in the 1950s and 60s this country was awash with new ideas and unrest as women fought for the right to vote and men simply wanted one man one vote to create a level playing field.

If the women suffrage movement did not join with the call for majority rule and had reached the mark first, what would have happened I wondered? Would our laws for women still be the same? Would the women's suffrage movement have died as it did once the right to vote was won with the call for majority rule?

We have more women in parliament now than before, and great women leaders from Grand Bahama has taken part in the democratic process from the front lines, but ... how does the rest of women in the country feel? Have they been really represented?

With three, then four, then five, now six representatives in the House of Assembly representing Grand Bahama, politically, where are we? 

I have long stood on the side of the majority - the masses - whom I wish would only begin to write their representatives and tell them what they want to see in their communities. If you elect someone or even if your party does not win, the person representing you has the right to take your views to the point of making legislation for the good of the community and the country.

Where are the town hall meetings? Do you go if its your party representative in charge? Do you want to see the necessary changes?

Putting politics aside is what we all need to do and begin the work that will push us forward.

With that idea of pushing forward the Progressive National Party came along. Not just to make us independent but to make us the best little country in the world. About ten years after independence it appears that the goals had already been reached and there was no where else to go, but we have not reached anywhere yet. Since 1983 what great intellectual progress has been made in this country? We the people need to think about it and to make it. It does not take politics as we know it, but your own politics of picking up you one rock to move it to build the wall against poverty, lack, indecisiveness, etc; as we move into a state of togetherness with progress in business, technology, world status.

We do not live in a vacuum. We cannot forget that we have a responsibility in the country and to the world of which we are apart. Make your move and make it easier for you, your family, your neighbour, your island and your country.

On our 41st Anniversary let's pledge again with renewed vigour to make this the best little country under the sun.

(ok I stole this one but it said what was needed :) )