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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Ten years ago, I entered a speech competition under the theme, “My dream Bahamas”. I was nine years old at the time and it was my first time “talking for a trophy”. I was obviously nervous. I remember my heart pounding out of my chest – much like it is right now. I remember wiping my small sweaty palms on my jumper as I silently willed myself to remember the things I had rehearsed. The moment I opened my mouth though, all reservations went away because I truly believed the words I had written because my dream was my treasure. After my speech, I was approached by the then Minister of Education. He shook my hand and said: “Great speech. I will work hard to make it possible one day.” And at the time I believed him.
Years later, my teenage self would have the opportunity to pitch the idea of my dream Bahamas to the Minister of Youth. I told him how I dreamt of a country that embraces the abilities of Bahamian Creatives like myself and created an environment for them to have fulfilling careers at home while affording us the opportunities to reach international markets as well. He too seemed to believe; and he to promised to work tirelessly towards this goal. At the time, I believed him as well.
I’m a little older now, I’ve spoken publicly many more times in many different forums but I, like many young people my age, am still waiting to see the Bahamas which my nine year old self first envisioned. Even at such a tender age, I knew what needed to change in my country, and if my nine year old mind could conceive such notions, then surely the men and women responsible for leading the country could as well.
Despite the assurances which were given to me, young Bahamians are no better off. Young Bahamian men continue to be incarcerated at alarming rates for the possession of small quantities of marijuana. Youth unemployment is the highest it has ever been and an education system which has failed to keep up with trends in learning continues to fail hundreds of Bahamian students. The question I feel compelled to ask is WHY? Why in a 21st century Bahamas do our leaders seem incapable of addressing the issues of importance to young people? I’ve thought long and hard about this question, pondered the financial implications to the public purse and even thought about manpower concerns that might affect the execution of the plans that could make my dream Bahamas possible. Even as I thought about those things though, I watched the government focus on other things: the gambling referendum, stem cell legislation and carnival, I became keenly aware of the fact that when this government wants something done, they know how to make it happen.
If our leaders were interested in fixing education, it would be done. If creating opportunities for young people were a priority, opportunities would exist. If a stable economic environment and Bahamian ownership was important to our leaders then we would not see acres of land—our land-- and in some cases whole islands sold off to the highest bidder. The evidence speaks volumes: WE – YOUNG PEOPLE - ARE NOT AND HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE A PRIORITY FOR OUR LEADERS! And this reality, broke my heart.
I was discouraged to say the least—I wanted to cast aside the Bahamas that seemingly threw me to dog . But I would see the light. I received a call from a DNA rep. “We have a place for you here.” they said. Not used to this kind of opportunity, I fumbled and accepted their invitation unaware of what would come. You see, the DNA does not just speak political rhetoric, they work hard so young people can get to hard working. Rather than empty promises, I and others like me were given an opportunity to help craft party policy and through the Young Democrats we have created a vision book which specifically addresses the things important to young Bahamians in the 21st century.
My involvement in the DNA has shown me that true leadership does not consist of cheesy dances or clichéd taglines, true leadership understands and values the input of young people now, not just during an election season. This party has shown me that young people can and should play a significant role in the development of the country – no gimmicks, no empty promises and no phony handshakes.
Like me, the DNA believes economic diversification and the creation of an Orange Economy that supports Bahamian creatives. Like me, the DNA believes in the power of renewable energy and has created a plan which reduces our dependency on crude oil. The DNA has a PLAN—not a dance—a PLAN for education reform that embraces technology in a real way and takes into consideration the many different ways that people learn. That is the kind of Bahamas I want to live in and every day. That is the kind of Bahamas I want my children to live in in the future. THAT is the kind of Bahamas the DNA wants for you, the Bahamian people. Everyday I don my green shirt and ready myself to fight for my DREAM. My dream is my treasure and the DNA is the chest that keeps our dream safe. If your dream is like mine, then there is only one party for you and that is the Democratic National Alliance. We have a place for you, in the Democoractic national Alliance. The Bahamian Dream is IN MY DNA! The Question is: Is it in yours!?
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