The Last Word

Celebrating our own culture - every day and every way

by Barrie Quappe
Host/producer for "Cayman Crosstalk with Barrie Quappe" on Rooster 101.9FM

Friday, February 13, 2004

The recent Workforce Skills Assessment Survey 2003 from the Department of Employment Relations is a frank and open look at our current workplace environment.

Among the information is a list of topics for "High School Work Ethic Curriculum" and the one that caught my eye was "National Pride".

How sad that this is something that has been identified as a teaching need. What happened? Is it true to say that young Caymanians need to be taught‚ national pride?

This is not a unique concept however, look at a section from the Bahamas Democratic Movement Men's Branch:

• To Instill National Pride
• To create awareness for the preservation of our environment
• To teach personal hygiene
• To teach value for culture
• To teach them to be patriotic and respect the national anthem and symbols
• To encourage them to become involved in national service

So even in the Bahamas, there is a movement to educate men in this regard. I am not proposing that we begin all kinds of NGOs, they will or will not evolve all on their own. 

What I would love to see is for those people who live in and love the Cayman Islands to celebrate our own, every day even in what may seem very small ways. 

For example, take you kids to see someone plaiting or making rope or cook traditional food and share it with your co-workers both local and newcomers. 

Maintain a pleasant and caring attitude to all and look for opportunities to help your community such as participating in clean-up activities. I'm sure you can add to this list. 

There are every day ways to celebrate Caymanian culture. Maybe all you need to do is to be courteous on the road. Every little bit counts and will, by example (the best teacher) show newcomers the kind of people and the kind of community we have been and can continue to be.

Contact Barrie Quappe “Newstalk” radio show, Rooster 101.9FM. E-mail barriequappe@hurleysgroup.com  

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