A short while ago in one of my columns, I advanced the view that there were no true outliers. I was inclined to agree with Malcolm Gladwell, author of the book Outliers, that no matter how outstanding the achievements of an individual, some “benefactor” or fortunate set of circumstances were instrumental in that individual’s success. I still believe this to be true in a general sense.
But what if it were possible that this little rock, Barbados, could be seen as something of an outlier? Already our geographical position puts us outside the chain of islands, lying farthest east. This position proves advantageous, allowing the most destructive hurricanes to bypass us (to date) or at least spare us their most severe wrath.
In addition, we are something of an anomaly when it comes to education. Our citizens are educated from primary to tertiary level, all from the public purse. As a result and despite its small size, Barbados boasts one of the most highly literate populations in the world.
Our health care system has its flaws, undeniably, but while the great United States still struggles to provide its citizens with adequate medical care, Barbadians have long had access to “free” health care by just walking into the nearest polyclinic or visiting the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
We have no significant natural resources and depend heavily on what could be a capricious tourism industry. Our Governments, however, have managed to keep the economy afloat, miraculously, it would seem. Moreover, we do not resort to violence in order to settle our political disputes. Governments change or are retained. We celebrate or we lick our wounds and then get on with the business of living.
None of the above is written with a sense of complacency or blind optimism on my part. Very serious questions must arise as to how long our “blessed” state will remain. What wolves wait on our doorstep and how do we keep them at bay?
Our worst threat may not be the wolves at the door. After all, they are within view and may be dealt with. More dangerous, I believe, is what lies under the surface, eating away at our foundations until one day the edifice simply falls.
I’m thinking, for example, of the vote-buying phenomenon. Some argue that this is nothing new and cite the days of rum, corned beef and biscuits. I believe, however, that a very important distinction needs to be made. One may have been driven by insufficient education and simple need. While these are hard economic times as well, I believe that there is now an added and dangerous ingredient: a callous cynicism that holds nothing sacred and is willing to be bought and sold as long as the price is right.
The more materialistic a society becomes, the more it tends towards callousness. After all, if we’re trying to get as much as we can for ourselves, we can’t afford to think of anyone else. And that is the attitude that underlies many of our social problems, leading to the remark heard quite frequently these days: “I don’t care ’bout a fella!” The attitude is only too obvious.
But what if we could reverse this trend, beginning with each individual? The real truth is that it is not just good governance that has made us the so-called envy of the Caribbean. Decency, respect, sharing, caring, honesty: these are the core values upon which our foundation was built. These, and an abiding faith in divine Providence.
There must be a national pushback against the insidious cynicism and callousness threatening the country, and indeed the world. We must continue to be different in the ways that matter.
A recent saying is that Barbados has been able to punch above its weight. Some would argue that this has been possible mainly through borrowing in order to pay our debts. The Government must confront this dilemma.
But it is at the individual level that we can make a difference by making necessary sacrifices, refusing to be part of the consumerism posse, and choosing, as far as we can, to live by the values that have sustained our society.
Meanwhile, congratulations to young Kemar Saffrey, a true Barbadian outlier if ever there was one.
• Esther Phillips is an educator, poet, and editor of BIM: Arts For The 21st Century.
