I saw an article today that probed my thinking. They were speaking of UVI's new sports recruits. I couldn't help but think of the recent Olympics. Through the whole time, I had the pleasure of seeing only one of our athletes: Tabarie Henry, in track and field.
Now, I don't want to take anything away from his performance. He didn't win, he didn't place. But, he did make it to the Olympics - and that's more than I can say for myself.
Here's my problem. As I watched the Olympics - especially Track and Field, I noticed how competitive the Caribbean Nations were. Who can deny the domination of Jamaica? Trinidad made a good showing. So did the Bahamas. Even St. Kitts & Nevis made a good showing.
It makes sense. In the Caribbean, we benefit from weather conducive for year-round training. However, for some reason we don't seize the opportunity. The rest of the Caribbean is producing great track athletes...providing them with a means to college scholarship. Latin America is producing great baseball players...providing them with opportunities unthinkable in their homeland.
Where are we? What are we doing?
When I was in school, we didn't even have tackle football. Professional scouts rarely - if ever - came to watch our baseball prospects. The track program died.
Like it or not, athletics provides people an opportunity to climb economic ranks. If we empower our promising athletes, we can give them a better future. And, if we educate those athletes properly they could use some of their millions to empower our homeland. Just a quick thought...
Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
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The problem with rational thinking like that is that it would require our government to be creative in using funds earmarked for education, diverting them to create a better scholastic sports program. The downfall of all things we attempt to accomplish as a people starts with failed leadership and people who don't expect nor demand more.
It is not only in the area of sports. We lack the capacity of a people to see the error in not organizing our small businesses into associations in order to provide health care to our full time minimum wage workers so our hospital does not continue to operate in the red, therefore allowing for the hiring of better hospital staff from doctors to nurses to technicians.
We fail to realize that our entire industry is tourism so the proliferation of trash throughout the islands like it is decoration only helps to take food off the table.
The crime in the VI is reported often in the continental states yet our people fail to realize that there is a problem when the per capital murder rate continues to be in the top 5.
The VI are looking for a savior. We as a people need to look within to find the answers to make our home once again America's Paradise!
There always seems to be a problem with "rational thinking," eh?! :)
But, "Anonymous" you're exactly right in what you say. We need a new leadership that is committed to the advancement of the Virgin Islands. That's why we say, "Territory First!"
In order for us to address those concerns we need that type of leadership, don't you think?
We are the saviors the VI seeks!
So, Answer the call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
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