Hilary Robertson-Hicklin
John Macpherson's wonderful book Caribbean Lands gave shape to my understanding of my world. As a student at the Queen's School, I was taught by some wonderful teachers who influenced my local, regional and global world view.
My Caribbean identity was revived on a recent trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados as I flew over many Caribbean countries. I had wonderful memories of my trip in 1973 on the Federal Maple from Jamaica down the islands as far as Tobago. I was able to visit the homes of other students whom I knew at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, as well as enjoy the reciprocity that was part of Caribbean culture. I fear that globalisation seems to have resulted in the loss of our authenticity in terms of hospitality and some other important values and attitudes.
There is a paradox that a region which demonstrated a tremendous capacity for hospitality is having to relearn customer service in the new age in the tourism and other service industries. I grew up in Jamaica in the 1950s and 1960s when courtesy was not seen to be a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. Many travellers who were asking for directions were politely and pointedly greeted before the requested directions were given.
Servility and servitude
We are still struggling with the problems of servility and servitude as well as an adoption of the loud, boorish behaviour which is celebrated in the media and popular culture of the United States. It was refreshing to travel through airports where one was not treated as an alien where one had a sense that one was in 'a home away from home'. While I am not suggesting that there are not many problems across this region, I recognise that the Caricom Single Market and later economy poses challenges but also provides opportunities. I sense that the Caribbean has much to offer its citizens as well as others in the world.
Our history of plunder and piracy has many modern-day equivalents in drug smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking, but I think that there are positive counter forces. Travel in the region needs to become more common, and such events as Cricket World Cup 2007, music festivals as well as the pursuit of legitimate commerce, industry and education can only improve the situation. I hope that BWIA in its new life in 2007 will be a great success. It is interesting to see that the MTV cable channel Tempo showcases the entire region and its diaspora.
Poverty and violence
We have to address the problems of poverty and violence that are so evident, the high rate of immigration, the fact that our region is second only to sub-Saharan Africa in the incidence of HIV/Aids. This region is at the crossroads of North and South America, the link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and in this we have something to teach the world. The people of the crossroads have the capacity to overcome adversity, tolerate different cultures and ethnicities, and demonstrate new ways of living together. We need to carefully husband the environment and the people who make up this region. Those countries blessed with bauxite, oil and other such resources must be careful that they are exploited in such a way that future generations of Caribbean citizens can be assured of a healthy society full of potential for further development. We must never be in any one's backyard and be a place for the dumping of toxic waste; it is not a task which can be entrusted to any one group - not politicians, or businessmen but to all of us.
Hilary Robertson-Hickling is a lecturer in the Department of Management Studies at the University of the West Indies.
