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A WRITER’S….Opinion | iChunes Ent. Magazine

THE PRESENCE OF NOW!

A typical Trinidadian might say that our country is
plagued by some unknown force which probably has
sweet La Trinity where we are not supposed to be. But I
am a twenty-seven-year-old young lady who bleeds red,
white and black through my veins and I am in dire need
for positive change. I yearn to live in a country…my
country, where every creed and race takes full
responsibility for the advancement and upliftment of
our republic. At this point of our economic and social
dilemma we need to be focused on solutions and not
stagnant political arguments that both the leaders and
citizens tend to regularly embark on. Without hesitation I would openly admit
that we are afraid of change because we have become extremely comfortable
saying, " Well yeah, all dem government is de same." And yes, I too have been
guilty of making this remark, but I am at the critical stage in life where the
need for change supersedes any negative connotation that bears no substance in
facilitating this of change. Unfortunately, we the people are not yet thirsty for
this change. Well, at least most of us.

What we fail to realize is that it takes a single citizen to begin the change and
create a movement. Believe it or not, a movement is not a political party or
sitting government. A movement is me placing these words on a paper. A
movement is parents setting positive examples for their children. A movement
is parents ensuring respect is given from their children. A movement is citizens
understanding and obeying laws. More importantly, the movement this country
presently needs is citizens who are no longer self-absorbed in their own
happenings of their lives.

Too many of us are only interested in a matter if it impacts us or our immediate
family. If we begin to see the essence of self-evaluating ourselves in terms of
our work ethic, the way in which we treat those who we share this blessed land
with and seek the justice that the judicial system needs to hand down to both
blue-collar and white-collar criminals in a fair and impartial manner, then and
only then we would start to taste progress that the republic is longing for.

Some of us or I am hoping all of us, should begin to think like visionaries or
respect those of us who seek to work on the growth of the country and are
willing to become the new movers and shakers of the land. We can all play a
part in rebuilding what can be one of the Caribbean's most progressive states.
Take time to respect the nation's infrastructure, as well as its coastlines.
Encourage those who represent us on various world stages and stand up to
those who are bent on holding us hostage to their nefarious actions. "Trini to de
bone" is not about being the land of fete and revelry, but being the land of love
and respect.

~ Written by Tameeka Castillo, ichunes Ent. Magazine Contributing Writer

19 January / March 2018