Who and what is the new generation

Mon, Dec 28th 2015, 11:01 PM

o First published June 16, 2015.

The Bahamas will celebrate 42 years of political independence a few weeks from now on July 10, 2015. It seems like yesterday when we commemorated the 40th anniversary of independence and many Bahamians reflected on our journey as a nation. We took the opportunity to reflect upon the accomplishments and achievements of the past while looking ahead at the possibilities and promises of the years to come.

In the atmosphere was a sense of hope and excitement that a new generation of Bahamian leaders would also emerge and feature prominently in the change that we expect to see.

This piece is a reflection on the dream that the future will be different from the status quo and be defined by a paradigm that is to the betterment of our country. As part of this introspection, we must ascertain who forms a part of the new generation. What does the new generation represent? Why is it imperative to engage a new generation?

The winds of change, the renaissance and the so-called revolution within our country must be birthed; but by whom? The demand for change can be heard across the islands of The Bahamas, however, what are we changing from or to?

The 'new generation'
Typically, generations are grouped according to the year and time in which they were born. Individuals are normally classed as being a part of veteran generation, the baby boom, generation X, generation Y and most recently generation Z. Generation X and beyond are known to be born after 1965 and hence comprise a younger grouping of individuals.

Based upon the aforementioned terms and the term "new generation", one may be persuaded to believe that the new generation is limited to an age bracket or more specifically - a younger generation. There is no right or wrong answer, and we would be mistaken if we were to apply the terminology so strictly. The new generation could also speak to the mind-set, vision, philosophy or ideals of individuals and the relevance of the same for the time in which they live in. In the midst of this debate, the general view appears to be that a new generation simply improves upon a model that has existed before and contains members that are relevant for the times in which they live, while maintaining sound fundamentals that define a people or process.

Generations of Bahamians
In the Bahamian context, discussions around the generations are often focused on pre and post-independence. On the political front, we tend to differentiate our leaders based on the era in which their philosophies were shaped and when their political careers commenced. It is not uncommon to hear such terminologies as Pingdomites, Ingrahamites and Christites as we try to group people based on the leadership under which they cut their proverbial teeth.

The era of the late Sir Lynden O Pindling was one that started with so much promise and a vision for a Bahamas that many had never seen before. Many bought into that vision under the leadership of a young and vibrant Pindling who had little experience by the standards of many at that time. Sir Lynden represented a new generation not solely because of his youth but also because of the newness and freshness of the vision he and his contemporaries had for our country. In the present dispensation, we have individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s who maintain that they are a part of a new generation.

While this is a topic for a whole new article, the main questions have to be: What new vision do these individuals have for a 21st century Bahamas? What new strategies have they devised to move us from third world status into the first world? What innovative and revolutionary ideas have they presented that can convince us that they represent a deviation from the status quo that stifles us as a people and a nation? More importantly, how different or renewed are their minds and thinking in relation to the operation of politics in The Bahamas?

The new electorate
It is important to note that watching intensely and with much interest is the new electorate. The composition of this new electorate and the populace as a whole has never been so different and so unpredictable. We know that there were more women registered to vote in the last general election than there were men. We also know that the youth form a large portion of the population that will determine the future political leadership of this country for several years to come. The uniqueness of the young people that make up the new electorate should not be ignored by current and aspiring political leaders.

Unlike their ancestors and predecessors, the Bahamian youth do not have blind loyalty to any political party or grouping. Additionally, they will not be told how to vote or who to vote for in an election, as they are strong-minded with independent views on what they expect from the political directorate and more importantly, what they envision for themselves. Simply put in Bahamian vernacular, 'They just ain' checking' and will not be easily swayed by any politician. Politicians that subscribe to the old way of doing things will do well to not only speak to the real issues impacting the new electorate, but also act to demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of The Bahamas.

The identity of the new generation
It is pointless at this juncture in our journey as a nation for any politician or anyone to profess with their mouths that they belong to the new generation. That determination will be made by the people based upon the actions or inactions of the people we refer to as our leaders.

Do we still subscribe to the notion that anyone that opposes us is our enemy? Do we still outlaw constructive criticism and refuse wise counsel? Do we close our ears to the content of an argument because of the identity of the speaker? Do we still seek the personal destruction of our Bahamian brothers and sisters solely because their views are different from ours? The Bible provides us with good advice in determining who belongs to the new generation; indeed, by their fruits we shall know them.

Having considered the above, it is important to note that in the context of people and leadership in particular - new generation does not equate solely to a younger generation of people. However, it is the expectation that young people bring a new outlook, innovation and energy to the national debate. It should be noted that there are many young people who are keepers of the status quo, despite the fact that the status quo does not improve upon an existing model.

In the same vein, there are many persons who are not so young (and sometimes belong to the old guard) but whose mind-set reflects an attitude of change and progression for the betterment of our commonwealth. Hence, one can deduce that there are new generation imposters posing as a new order. On the face of things, they appear to have a new look, but their mindset speaks to a time and season that is long gone and is irrelevant for today's world. They are keepers of the status quo - sometimes for personal ambition, comfort and convenience.

o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads