Most individuals had the day off from work and school this past Friday to commemorate or celebrate Discovery Day. While this particular holiday is still a part of a national debate regarding its legitimacy in our history, we still enjoy having a “free day.” However, since this holiday is still officially marked on the calendar as “Discovery Day,” we should perhaps take some time to examine what it is that we have discovered about ourselves in the last year.

During this same holiday weekend, I was given a whistle hanging on the end of a beautiful necklace rope. Patterned along this aquamarine rope was the flag of The Bahamas; however, the sticker at the end of the rope said, “Made in China.” I scoffed at this and showed it to everyone present, exclaiming in the process my disdain for this fact.

The individual who gave me the whistle and accompanying necklace said if that has me upset, then I really did not want to know from where they were purchased. So, I braced myself. You’re probably thinking the same thing I thought – good ole’ Miami. Yes, he bought the whistle necklace, bearing our national flag from a Haitian vendor in Miami, Florida.

It seems almost blasphemous for individuals living half way around the world to make something bearing our national flag. Is this even legal? Making the necklace, the hat, the shirts or whatever, I can understand, but shouldn’t the fine details like national symbols be left to the persons from that nation?

Obviously, we do not care who does the stitching, painting or embroidery, we just want to get our merchandise at the cheapest cost in order to make the greatest profit. Perhaps our greed is one of the things we have discovered about ourselves since we were first “discovered.”

Before Christopher Columbus and his gang of murdering disease-ridden seafarers almost single handedly wiped out a race of people, the islands of The Bahamas were truly jewels that bespeckled the azure tinted waters in which they lay. The Lucayans who had been living in the southern islands since about the 7^th century were not in any need of being “discovered” ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas ).

But as the history of human beings will show, the past is often tainted and skewed to shine a noble and well intended light on the individuals recording the story. So how would the story be written today, if someone were to “discover” us now?

The high incidence of violent crime, sexual abuse and incest may suggest that we absorbed some the negative energy left by the European explorers and have infused it with the new world anarchy that exists on some level today.

Perhaps the number one discovery evident is that many Bahamians today are looking out for themselves and not having much care and concern for others. Just one look at the prices of items in the food stores will prove this point. I cannot speak for the other islands of the Bahamas, but I have discovered that a major food store in Grand Bahama is definitely trying to “wipe out” the middle of the line shopper.

How is it that the same company can sell the same items at different prices? Why are the prices in Eight Mile Rock, Freeport and Lucaya different for the same item? No, one or two of the items has not expired and no, the brand is not different. Nevertheless, the price is surely different, almost three dollars difference.

Is anyone else discovering this? Is this who and what we want to be? Christopher Columbus has already raped and robbed us, why should we have to be subjected to this debase treatment all over again?

Because the majority of us do not grow our own produce, we depend on the food stores to supply our dietary needs. Therefore, there really is no need for the prices to be so exorbitant. We have to purchase food and drink and you will make a profit, just do not try to make a “killing.”

In due course, merchants and all Bahamians will discover that life is truly better in this beautiful little country of ours if we recognize what we have, value it and ultimately treasure it. Greedy individuals searching for gold and other precious gifts wiped out the original settlers; let us not make the same mistake.

Try to discover in yourself a giving and kind person. Find that voice within you that speaks of peace and love for all human beings. Discover the truth that lives within and wants to shine for all to see. Open your heart and mind and discover the person you were created to be; just uncover yourself and you will discover you.

About the author: Joye Ritchie-Greene is an Educational Consultant, Writer and Martial Arts Instructor. She is the owner/operator of The Bahamas Martial Arts Academy; president of Time-Out Productions; and is also a columnist for the Freeport News. She has a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Human Resources, resides in Freeport, Grand Bahama with her husband and enjoys playing tennis. Joye can be reached at joye_hel_ena@hotmail.com