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Where are we and
where are we headed?
For some time now I have been observing the progress of the Opera, "The Life and Times of a People Called Montserratians". For me the Tale began (with suitable fanfare and music) at a time when the people of the Caribbean were attempting to recognize and define the world around them. I think, as a whole it can be said that they have recognized, but have yet to fully define that world.
Montserrat, although part and parcel of the process, has found it difficult to maintain a link that is tight and strong enough to keep us in step with the emergence of recognition and defining themes that surround us. In some ways, this difficulty has been useful, one might even say helpful in creating a distinctive look and feel for the Montserrat product, but in many ways it has failed us.
The pressures that have kept our link tenuous have made it difficult for us to reach the level of
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recognition realized by our neighbors. For us, the trials and tribulations of our neighbors have not been seen as object lessons, rather they are seen as devoid of any relevance to our situation unless we follow their path. We fail to understand that we travel the same river and are affected by the same rapids whether we like it or not.
We may feel we have a choice because we have been told often that we are different. We are, but not to the extent that we travel above the flow and not in it. We may be on different sides or midstream alone, but we are still in the flow.
That being said, where are we and where are we headed? I have asked this question many times.
Who are we and what will we become? That too needs to be answered.
Until we can achieve a consensus on the answers to those questions, we will fail to recognize and define the world around us.
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Today we find ourselves in a total struggle to survive. Who are we? A people called Montserratian. Where? Everywhere.
Can we describe a Montserratian? For some, the answer to a question such as this, would first mention a geographic location for where those people reside, and then further embellish this with what makes them unique as a result of their location, or, some other inspirational clothing that wraps and protects their being. We have woven no such cloth and our location is being destroyed.
We have the makings of the cloth; we need to work the Loom. We have a location, but the destruction must cease. We can succeed, even if we must rebuild and fortify our location, be it actual, virtual or both.
When will we start?
Events have forced all of us to address these issues in one form or another. We need to help each other to find a way; to find the best way to face and resolve
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