In the past few weeks, the Caribbean witnessed what could be a seismic
shift in its continued evolution from a colonial outpost to a playground for
the rich and famous to a seat at the table of world affairs.
On one end Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, was featured on
the cover of TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in
the world. In the TIME article, she was described as “Bold, fearless, and
possessing a great intellect and wit,” and “a brilliant politician who knows
how to shake things up.”
The fact that she was included says a lot, and that she was on the cover
says even more. Consider that Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first woman of
African descent to sit on the US supreme court, was included in the list of
the most influential persons on the planet but was overlooked when it came
to making the cover.
On the other end of the spectrum Prime Minister of St Vincent and the
Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, received the Order of Jose Marti, the
highest award conferred by the Republic of Cuba. This award goes to those
who are deemed to be defenders of human rights, proponents of human
flourishing, and contributors to education, governance, and culture.
Several international luminaries such as Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader,
Vladimir Putin who currently leads Russia, and Nicholas Maduro, President
of Venezuela have received this award. The great Nelson Mandela when
accepting this award mentioned "We admire the sacrifices of the Cuban
people in maintaining their independence and sovereignty in the face of a
vicious, imperialist-orchestrated campaign, … We, too, want to control our
own destiny."
Caribbean statesmen Michael Manley of Jamaica and Owen Arthur of
Barbados have also been recipients of this recognition. A month before St
Vincent’s political leader accepted his award, the Prime Minister of the
Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, was similarly decorated by
the Cuban government.
It does engender some level of admiration to see Caribbean leaders being
recognized for their ideas and leadership. If nothing, these expressions of
public acknowledgment of Caribbean brewed leadership provide some
measure of inspiration and aspiration for future generations.
But what does all of this mean?
Is there something beyond inspiration and ambition to appreciate?
Leadership has been defined by some as nothing more than “influence”. If
we add the definition that argues that leadership, and therefore leaders by
extension, define reality in such a way that it engenders followers we can
say this; leaders influence others by defining reality in such a way that it
creates followers.
Our leaders are taking us somewhere. That much is sure. Their influence is
directing others to a particular destination. Whether through policies,
association, or controlling of the narrative, we, as a people, are on a
journey.
Here is the question, where are we being taken?
Do we know?
Do we even care?
Should we seek to find out before we blindly follow this path into the future?
Do we have a say in where we are taken? And if we don’t should we have
a voice?
Is it a good place? Where prosperity, justice, and goodness prevail. Or is it
a horrible reality where some disproportionately have most of the
resources, while others suffer want, oppression, and marginalization?
This much is clear, we are being taken somewhere, whether we know it or
not. That alone should give us pause and after serious, considered thought,
a motivation to act accordingly.
KES Lewis