The Tribune

By IVOINE INGRAHAM

According to Wikipedia, patriotism is love for one’s country, shown through personal identification and concern for well-being. It is also demonstrated through the willingness to sacrifice for the overall good and progression of one’s country. Patriotism can be an attachment that can be a combination of feelings for things such as the language of one’s homeland and its ethnic, cultural, political, or historical aspects.

Not everyone seems to exercise patriotism because there is little participation, for the most part, in anything Bahamian. A particular group stays home in protest or a complete lack of interest. There can be no complaints if there is not a one hundred per cent contribution to nation-building, especially since everyone seems to want to benefit from it.

We all must do our part since “this land was made for you and me”.

Remember when we were a nation brimming with pride, each of us a Bahamian ambassador on our own, right? Our warm interactions with tourists and our behaviours were why millions returned, feeling the unique warmth of our company. We were proud, and we bragged about our Bahamas, the place “Where God lives”. Even though we travelled, we can not wait to return home.The islands were clean, and our system ensured we presented a well-maintained country. All the streets were clean, people painted regularly, and happy, respectful, and mannerly children played.

Stretch limousines loaded with inquisitive tourists were taken over the hill to the Cat and the Fiddle on Nassau Street and the Drumbeat to see native shows. They felt safe, and the atmosphere was conducive to returning visits and referring others, those were the days.

We loved The Bahamas and competed to be the best we could be. Waiters, waitresses, maids, bartenders and taxi drivers polished their demeanours and were anxious to tell the Bahamian story. We learned folklore stories and songs and entertained tourists. We loved our country, and it manifested as a vibrant tourist product.

Our children were encouraged to join youth organisations like the Boys Brigade, Pathfinders, Scouts, and Girls Brigade. We were proud when there was an opportunity to parade to Clifford Park or just through the streets of Nassau, which was crammed with families and wellwishers encouraging us.

There are no measurements that can calculate the pride of Bahamians. Parents, community leaders, and role models in these organisations played a crucial role in fostering this pride, supporting the organisations and insisting that the children attend the meetings after school.

The many official celebrations, which included all uniform organisations, were attended by the majority of the country because there was immense pride in participating and witnessing them.

Cleanliness was instilled in us. Our parents insisted, sometimes with physical incentive, that we scrub the floors, clean the house, wash our clothes, and keep ourselves clean. It was the order of the day.

I remember as far back as the early fifties, we were instructed as a school to go out and pick up every piece of paper placed on the ground, regardless of how it got there. We were taught that cleanliness was next to godliness. We believed that so much that it spilt over into our everyday lives. Being clean, living in a clean environment, and “ keeping our island clean” was a habit.

Our collective mindset, attitude, and interaction with each other were pleasant. We were happy people. We loved our families, our neighbours, and everyone. The tourists thought we were different and gravitated to us because we endeared them to us from our friendly spirit.

What happened?

Regrettably, our once vibrant national pride has waned. We seem indifferent to our conduct, our words, and the perceptions of both locals and visitors. Our surroundings now echo a resounding “lack of pride”.

Our neighbourhoods are littered, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to do something about it. When we see our next-door neighbour’s trash bin overturned, it’s not enough to drive past and go on our merry way. We should encourage our children to pick up after themselves and support their teachers when they insist on cleanliness. It’s only through our collective efforts that we can maintain a clean and pleasant environment for all.

Parents have said that if they do not throw garbage on the ground, they should not pick it up. We’ve adopted the behaviour of immigrants who come from squalor and have no connection to The Bahamas. The more we move around, the more communities are overrun by people without attachment, love, or care for this country. The selfishness that is prevalent contributes to people not looking out for or even helping each other.

Because of the erosion of our love for our country, we only take from it and do not intend to return anything to nation-building. Since there is a different mindset, the patriotism that existed in the past has gradually dissipated.

We have far more tourists now than ever, but are we presenting ourselves positively to give a lasting positive impression experienced and shared internationally?

Are we putting our best foot forward? Are there enough Bahamians and those who benefit from living in this country investing in improving it through their actions? How many ex-patriots who make millions on the backs of Bahamians give back anything? How many are prepared to offer their time toward building young lives, better communities, and a better product that they benefit from, in many cases, more than Indigenous Bahamians?

Is there going to be a time when we design how we structure our immigration policies that speak to expatriates, not only investing but reaping heavily on their returns and giving back to programs that build rather than drain this country financially?

The lack of pride can be attributed to many factors, but one key aspect is our failure to instill the right values in our children. We must accept responsibility for valuing material possessions over our country and its pride. We cannot blame anyone else when we become complacent with derelict vehicles parked on sidewalks meant for pedestrians. It’s time to take a more active role in shaping our country’s future, it’s a collective effort.

The police must enforce laws against littering, but we, as a community, must also hold each other accountable and uphold our end of the bargain. Together, we have the power to make a significant difference.

It’s time to circle the wagons and make it clear to those from other lands, who may be accustomed to unsightly garbage, that we will not tolerate such practices here. Bahamians who adopt such practices should face the consequences of contributing to the decay of our neighborhoods. It’s time to stand firm against behaviors that threaten our culture and values.

Patriotism has everything to do with loving your country. We can only experience those days again if we all collaborate and decide that this Bahamas belongs to all of us, regardless of which island we are from or which community we reside in, it is our responsibility to help. Remember that our actions, big or small, can make a difference. It’s time for us to unite and take a stand for our country.

Sir Lynden said, If we are not willing to fight for our country, then we don’t deserve to have it.

Keep your eyes open. Our country is slipping away; it may be too late if we don’t act now. The time for action is now. If only we had known, we could have prevented this.

“Face reality, you’d have to sooner or later, and that’s a fact.”