Yesteryear made for a Better Life.

Continuing on the theme of taking things for granted, my mind goes back to 15-30 years ago in my native country of Montserrat.

Montserrat was described, when I attended elementary or primary school, as a British colony 27 miles south east of Antigua and Barbuda, a major transportation hub in the Eastern Caribbean.

Tourism and offshore banking were our main foreign exchange earners. Everybody who wanted to, worked; poverty was basically non existent; our road network and telecommunications infrastructure were great; our standard of education was high; there was no scarcity of food, especially fruits and vegetables most of which we grew ourselves and I would just say: that was the life!

Looking back, it seemed we were oblivious or immune to economic recession, criminal activity and negative influences that we couldn’t handle.

But then, between 1979 and 1995, a series of natural disasters and scandals came upon us and to this date, I am not sure whether this country can recover or return to a state of normalcy.

The incidents included a flood in 1981 if my memory serves me correct, that destroyed several homes and killed at least two people. Understand that two people being washed away in a country with a population of 12,000 was heart wrenching. Everybody knew everybody, basically.

We took a bad hit from Hurricane Hugo in 1989 which wiped out 80% of our infrastructure. But we were resilient and we bounced back.

Then in 1995, the Soufriere Hills volcano, which was dormant for hundreds of years, decided to erupt, rendering 2/3rds of the island uninhabitable and killing 19 people. The volcano has been erupting ever since and those residents who did not flee the island had a rough time readjusting to the relocations to the livable parts of the island, housing and job shortages, medical conditions as a result of the ash etc.

This has thrown Montserrat into a state of total dependency on Britain and after 17 years, the island is still struggling to find its place once again.

Somewhere between all of that, our very thriving offshore banking industry suffered a blow with several of the financial institutions being forced to close because of alleged fraudulent activity.

I said all of that to say that we must be reminded that everything is but for a season. We must appreciate and enjoy life as we know it and try at all times to be good citizens.

Looking at my life today, I’d much rather a life of yesteryear. It was much simpler, less influenced by globalism and people were nicer.

But I do kinda sorta love living in today’s world – minus the challenges! Unrealistic?

National Symbols. Should Every Country Adopt Their Own?

This question has been at the forefront of discussion in at least two of Britain’s dependencies in recent months.

For the British Virgin Islands, a Territorial Song and National Dress have now been adopted, but for Montserrat, the search is on, again.

National symbols are emblems or icons intended to define or unite a community. As such, national symbols would represent the national people, values, goals or history. Countries would display their national symbols – flags, songs, dress, animals, flowers, plants, trees, food, drinks – during celebrations of patriotism.

For me, this begs the question: Why would dependent countries or colonies want to establish their own national symbol, since such already comes with their state of sovereignty?

The implementation of a Territorial Song in the British Virgin Islands is an ongoing lesson, for while the government insists that students learn it and sing it at school functions and also that it is sung before government ceremonies, there seems to be a challenge.

The song, “Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands” is great. In fact, I love it. Written by the brother and sister team of Ayanna Hull Brathwaite and Kareem Nelson Hull, the words are meaningful and cultural, the rhythm is infectious and it was perfectly rendered by Deanna Wattley.

The song speaks to the history of the islands, the ability of its peoples to overcome the pains of the past and preserve the beauty of the country, own lands and educate themselves. It also asks God’s continued blessings, courage for its leaders, wisdom and understanding for its people.

However, some people seem either to be not quite sold on this national symbol or are not au fait with the protocol that should obtain. So we have Myron Walwyn, BVI’s Minister of Education and Culture, expressing disgust and unbelief that many, including a Member of the House of Assembly at one point, continue to disrespect this national symbol.

According to what I understand, when the song is being played, one should sing, or not, but definitely stand aloof for the duration. So maybe some more education is needed on the topic.

In Montserrat, the Reuben Meade government earlier this month launched a National Song search to identify a symbol that would ‘be reflective of the spirit of the nation’.

Critics have said Montserrat should be focusing on rebuilding the country’s economy and the state of affairs of its peoples, after reeling for the past 17 years from the effects of an erupting volcano.

I personally support having a National or Territorial Song. It’s all about identity. And since an attempt was made 20 years ago to establish a National Song, this new attempt affirms that Montserrat is rising from the ashes in more ways than one.

As an aside, I really loved that song ‘Oh Montserrat’ and think that should be remade and become Montserrat’s National Song!

But whether there is a National or Territorial Song or not, the British National Anthem will still be played and the British Flag continue to be flown, unless of course these dependencies renounce that status. The British national symbols still supersede in terms of protocol. But a Montserrat National Song or a Virgin Islands Territorial Song for example will unquestionably evoke an incomparable sense of pride and patriotism in citizens.

Just look at the Americans when the U.S National Anthem is played!