By Samuel Rose
Local Current Commentary
An Opportunity to Define Ourselves
By Samuel Rose
Never before in the history of the Cayman Islands, have we the people, had such an opportunity to define ourselves and never before has there been a more urgent need to do so. For the past few months I have attempted, by all means at my disposal, to keep abreast of the political goings on in Cayman. It would be quite easy to derive from the various media sources that all is not well. From some of the public discussions I have observed, it would seem that our doom was imminent.
While I do not take these often perturbed views of Cayman's situation lightly, I do not and cannot ascribe to a fatalistic view of our future. It is imperative of me, as well as all those living in and benefiting from this land, to unite in a collaborative effort to find solutions to the major threat facing our existence.
Why do I have cause for optimism? Well the cries and grievances that I hear are those of a nation discovering for the first time what democracy truly is. I am not speaking of the advent of political parties, but of the growing vocalization of views and direct participatory interest in politics in Cayman. People in Cayman are realizing for the first time en mass, that their votes are worth more than a new washing machine or a truckload of marl. An educated populace is a paramount principle of the democratic process. A politically astute and motivated populace is also the sign of a healthy democracy.
People of Cayman, we have the opportunity to define ourselves for the first time in our history. For centuries, we have allowed ourselves to be defined by others. Yet, they did not always define us, but at times forgot about us. We have remained undefined for 500 years. We have historically borrowed names or had unworthy monikers bestowed upon us, such as "Pirates", "Colony of Jamaica", "Mosquito Infested", "Submissive", "Uneducated", "British", and now "European". But none of these names fit. They may have had their place at some point or another, but that place should be in the new History books the Education Department is putting out in our local schools.
It is no coincidence that the celebration of our Quincentennial birthday coincides with such a major crossroad in our history, as evidenced by the threat to our existence posed by the E.U.'s tax retrieval initiative. Not to belittle the good work of those preparing these much anticipated celebrations, we need to be spending as much vigour and energy deciding how history will record the next 500 years, for those who once forgot us are now seemingly plotting our demise.
To do this we must take a long look in the mirror at ourselves and ask what benefit are our colonial ties bestowing upon us and upon the generations to come? This is especially so when any law that is near and dear to us can be erased by an Order in Council. If we are to believe the age old blarney that "If we become independent, we will crumble", we must then ask ourselves, "What type of character constitutes the people of Cayman?" and "What type of contribution would I be making to the demise, or rise of Cayman?"
Deep introspection, both individually and collectively is needed before any move toward greater autonomy is made. This must include all facets of our society from our politicians to our political watch dogs, from our Chamber of Commerce to our Civil Servants, from our Churches to our bar rooms. We all have a contribution to make and it is vital we do so.
If we are to continue to claim that we live in a democratic society, we have to accept our responsibility to be informed, to be involved, and to challenge this long outdated status quo of ignorance and darkness. We are becoming a greater educated people. There are many among us of great talent, scholarship, and wealth. To them, I repeat, "To whom much is given, much is required". Your education, talent, or wealth is not of your own doing, no matter what individualistic ideology you may ascribe to. Those among us who have reached great levels of achievement must send the elevator back down so that others can begin to ascend and better themselves and our nation.
We must confront our growing national propensities for greed and debt, and learn to invest in our people and our community to ensure that any move forward leaves no one behind. We must rediscover compassion and care so that all can share the fruits of progress. Most of all we must come to view all victories as a victory for all, and any losses as a collective defeat. Any future rise or demise of Cayman rests squarely upon the shoulders of each person living here and no single person, group, or organization.
I write today with a surging passion in my heart. A passion to be looked back upon one day by coming generations as the generation that defined Cayman, the Cayman of the 21st century, that refused to be wrangled, bullied, or considered inferior. These three small stones of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, could deliver a mighty blow to the imperialistic and patronizing Goliath of the E.U., by simply stepping forward into our destiny; a destiny that must be defined by us, the people of Cayman, today.