The events of the last week in our nation and across the globe provided several options for a Bahamian writer. In the end, the topics were narrowed down to three and subsequently to the one which is the subject of this article.
The inspiration for this piece was born out of reflections on the accounts of our national treasures both living and dead, the tales of those who came before us, the experiences of this writer and the predicament that future generations of Bahamians, including my children, must face.
The generic nature of the title of this article is intentional to allow for application by Bahamian parents and residents across our archipelago of islands. The objective of this note will have been achieved if Bahamian parents will not only read it but also encourage their children to consider the content as they navigate their way through an evolving world with minimal tolerance for errors.
My Dear Child,
It is with much love, joy and a heavy heart that I write you this note. You might ask how can I be both happy and grieved at the same time. Well, my beloved, it is because while I am so excited about your future and potential, I am also mindful that the world in which you grow up is one that will be based on the survival of the fittest and one which devours the weak. Hence, you must be strong and must consider that which I have written in this love note seriously as you journey through life.
You need not be told or reminded of the beauty of the country of your birth, the land you inherited from your ancestors - for it is indeed available for your eyes to behold. Our forefathers and foremothers made sacrifices and planted the proverbial trees so that we can enjoy the shade they provide. Please do not take the liberties and opportunities available for granted as to do so will be to dishonor their legacy. In the words of a popular African proverb: Child, you must remember the child of whom you are and never forget from whence you came, no matter where life takes you.
My generation did not have to fight for political independence; we owe gratitude to our founding fathers and mothers who helped us achieve majority rule and independence. However, my generation and most likely yours, as well, have different battles on our hands.
We have to fight for inclusion and denounce marginalization. We must emphasize economic empowerment in the first instance, and we must bring about economic independence in the second for the majority of our people. Do not be fooled. While the government has a role to play through its policies, it is our duty as a people to chart our own course in this regard.
Make no mistake, my love, there are no short-cuts to success; we must educate ourselves, develop our skill sets and broaden our minds to achieve this goal.
You have heard it over and over again that knowledge is power. Never underestimate the value of a good education and the wisdom of applying yourself to the accumulation of knowledge. Be careful not to be discouraged by the recount of my struggles, the tales of marginalization and the often referenced dilemma of the untapped and underused talent of the Bahamian youth.
Keep striving and keep pushing until you achieve your objectives. As you develop yourself academically and professionally, please remember to acquire some common sense which is sometimes uncommon. I must also remind you that the saying 'How you dress is how you are addressed' will never become out of date. In addition to this, you must respect yourself and others, according them the courtesies that are due to them.
Studies have shown that we have been experiencing a brain drain as a nation for years. I appeal to you to do your best to stem this trend and not become a statistic in this vein. By all means take advantage of the opportunity to study and work abroad; make good friends and acquaintances with individuals of other cultures and nationalities, for indeed the world is a much bigger place than The Bahamas. However, I implore you to consider coming back to give back to the country where your naval string is buried by using your international experience and exposure for the betterment of our commonwealth.
I must impress upon you that technology is a double-edged sword. There is no doubt that advancement in technology has been good for commerce and our world as we have achieved things that could only be imagined just decades ago. However, technology brings its own challenges, perils and pain when not used or deployed appropriately.
Please govern yourself accordingly and use the Internet responsibly, knowing that any information you place on the World Wide Web could impact your life forever. I beg you, my child, to be careful and guard your reputation as you use technology in daily life.
Do not let the convenience of information technology and electronic gadgets rob you of the beauty of a good conversation and deprive you of valuable communication skills as well as the ability to socialize with your fellow human beings. Be careful not to allow your written and spoken English to degenerate due to your familiarization with abbreviations used in social media and instant messaging. It is imperative that you focus on spirituality rather than religion, for the latter has been known to divide rather than unite. Place your emphasis on faith which is able to keep you going in challenging times and keep you grounded in spite of your success.
Master the arts of self control, restraint and dispute resolution in your dealings as you make your voyage through life. Your strength does not reside in your fists, any words spoken in spite or anger and not in any weapons you may possess. Your strength lies in your character, attitude and composure in hostile circumstances. Let the following words of the scriptures guide you: "In silence and confidence shall lie your strength".
I know that the mudslinging and dirty nature of Bahamian politics and public life can be heartbreaking sometimes. I too, like many Bahamians, detest the character assassinations and cruelty that accompany one's involvement in public life. Please do not let this prevent you from serving your country and your people, for we all share a common loftier goal.
Get involved in building our nation and serving our Commonwealth, knowing that you may have to walk alone; you may be persecuted but serve nevertheless, knowing that you work not for personal glory but in the national interest. However, your mantra must be one that ensures that your priorities are right. It must be God, family, then country.
In the end, my child, there are and will never be substitutes for integrity, humility, honesty and hard work; do not let anyone tell you otherwise. There remains dignity in labor and the Bible attests to this by stating that by the sweat of man's brow shall he eat. There are no shortcuts to success.
Honor your mother and father mother always, for God will surely reward you. The family bond is everlasting. In the end, family is all you have. Guard this relation sacredly.
There is so much I would like to say to you, but I understand that your experiences will fill in the gaps I leave behind. I wish to end with the lyrics of the song "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" which was made popular by the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "The Sound of Music" and written by Oscar Hammerstein II:
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
Till you find your dream.
Finally, do not consider my generation or those ahead of me a failure if there are things left undone, or if some quit along the way or if some squander opportunities. You ought to know that to everything there is a season and one plants while another waters. In this sense, if you find your calling, there will always be work for you to do and you can build upon the work of those that have gone before you. One thing is certain, the Bahamian dream is achievable and within reach if you pursue it knowing that pursuit is the evidence of desire.
With love, Mommy
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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