Why we must evolve from party politics?

September 5th, 2021

The harrowing details of a young man from Moore’s Island, Abaco who was unable to bury his mother before her body had become badly decomposed, is certainly tugging on my heart and his given me cause for reflection. Hurricane Dorian and now the global pandemic has certainly given all, the world over cause to do the same.

I believe now more than ever though that the severity of the times, demand now that we move beyond reflection though. While we count ourselves everyday as one of the Corvid-19 survivors-- the fortunate ones-- I recognize these times as a time-- we must reach as a people for more. What can leaders do in this time to make a more meaningful impact on the lives of the people they serve? I think this has always been a question on the table, but we have never had the opportunity to contemplate such a question in the context of a pandemic.

At present I am baffled by our preoccupation with parties. Should it be the Progressive Liberal Party? Should it be the Free National Movement? Should it be the D.N.A? Should it be the Republican, should it be the Democrats?

The question should not be who will win the next general election? Quite frankly this question fails miserably to cut to the heart of the matter. The question we ought to ask now is-- how do we inspire greatness and curiosity, and passion and hope in our citizens? A citizen who feels it is useless to be inventive because his ideas are almost always swallowed up by wealthy giants. That’s a huge problem! So what can we do to activate the belief in our citizens that achievement at the highest level is bigger than a party? That although the best man or woman may not win that does not mean he should not still throw his hat in the ring. That effective leadership is bigger than a personality or any job you might be given.

At the beginning of the pandemic when ventilators were in short supply, an American car manufacturer shifted their focus from making cars to ventilators. This is what I call ingenuity! With all the wasted metal cluttering this island, why haven't we organized ourselves to make our own cars or computers for that mater. The Americans aren't doing anything Bahamians cannot do.

By all means please do go ahead and vote, it is your civic duty. But unless every citizen, at every level is convinced that they are more or less the solution to the social, health and economic woes we are facing, I believe change will be miniscule. We must evolve to a people who are problem solvers not just party followers.

During the pandemic, I believe a valiant effort was made to ensure families had food on their tables. I was especially impressed by the level of organization and professionalism displayed by the New Providence Community Church. Without, pushing and shoving an excess of 100 persons received food donations on a weekly basis. This organization restored my confidence that there are citizens here who can organize, large events and work together as a team.

Unfortunately, as soon as we throw politics into the mix, the team building, organizational skills, courage and professionalism that we so badly need vanishes. So in my mind, party politics is destroying the rich soil of opportunity that our citizens need to develop their gifts and talents in this great country.

I have been especially proud of the bold and courageous Lincoln Bain and the coalition of independents. Despite the giant waves of opposition, he continues to advocate for the change he wishes to see. He has been a lion on the prowl and has shown modern Bahamas the kind of intestinal fortitude great leaders are made of. Glennis Hanna Martin has also stood the test of time and deserves special commendation for the strength and competence she continues to displays as she performs her duties as a Member of Parliament. These are the caliber of people we need in a modern Bahamas. We do not need leaders who are on autopilot-simply there to read the script they were given.

According to Colorado.edu, “Researchers found that for every female governor or U.S. senator who has run for office, this has led to an increase in the number of women who ran for the state’s legislature in subsequent years.” Research suggest that when women participate in the political life of a country it increases the likelihood of other women doing the same.

This political cycle I have been especially proud of Ali McIntosh, Arinthia Komolafee and the countless women who have stepped forward for leadership. While they may only get a handful of votes, what they are doing is far more significant to the creation of a new ethos that “everyone- at every level- regardless of gender can play their part in molding the new Bahamas in a manner that will be for the good of all.

According to P.L.P candidate, Pia Glover our country is at a breaking point. We are breaking because we have allowed materialism to lull us to sleep; nevermind so many have struggled to move this nation to self-sufficiency. We are breaking because we seem uninterested in preserving quality of life for all. And rather than use the skills and talents of all of our people, we would rather they languish or leave them to die in some unknown crevice of the community. We must stop this! The good book says, “there is a frustrating of plans where there is no confidential talk. FRUSTRATION FOR A LARGE CROSS SECTION indeed has been our harvest! Where are the think tanks? And what are the results of these so -called "think tanks"?

The time is now for think tanks as none of us from my knowledge has lived through a pandemic. Party lines are futile now. Compassion, ingenuity, and courage must take precedence to the vote if we are going to inspire greatness and curiosity, and passion and hope in our citizens. If Hurricane Dorian an the pandemic hasn't taught us anything, I truly do not know what will.