Caribbean Global Influence ?

 

                                                       Caribbean Global Influence ?

Ever since the take over of the world by the almost unimaginable growth of technology, called the internet, we have heard about how the smaller the world is because we are better connected. Some have even branded it the prophecy expressed in George Orwell’s 1984. Not only Big Brother is watching us but our neighbours , friends and complete strangers, are apparently also playing the role of Big Brother. Nothing seems secret and privacy may be an anachronism.

The Caribbean was caught sleeping and is still trying our utmost, to catch up and keep up with the pace that the new technologies have set. Our vulnerabilities have been laid bare and when COVID visited us, our precarious economic challenges were globally exposed , especially in those countries that almost depend exclusively on tourism, for their economic well being.

In recent years , we have attempted to make our voices heard louder on the international fora , but fancy speeches that end up begging for financial hand outs , usually fall on deaf ears, after the cameras and cocktails disappear. Poverty is constant and it cannot be eradicated in a million speeches especially in a region, that is emerging from the depths of slavery and now finds itself battling both economic dangers and the forces of cultural penetration. Some have opined that we have gone from Little England to Little America. The struggle to develop the Caribbean civilization is real and we are struggling to save these countries from becoming another collective playground for the rich or a pawn for global predators.

We must therefore ask ourselves , what really is our voice or power in global affairs. Are we just pretending that we are actually taken seriously or we making useless guest appearances , only needed or called upon to support and do the bidding of those , who can deliver some form of aid when needed. CARICOM, must answer these questions with honesty. Are we going to sell future generations falsehoods about what is really regional development or  dedicate ourselves to building one Caribbean state, in order to speak with one global voice.

We cannot afford to sleep.

William Skinner is a Caribbean Social Commentator.

 

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