Youth Foreseeing In The Future

The Editor
The Anguillian

YOUTH FORESEEING IN THE FUTURE

These are crucial times, and it would appear that as the society moves from bad to worst many have asked the question “where is the next generation heading?” This question has lead an Anguillian citizen to the quest of educating himself and in turn contributing positively to his community.
This Anguillian is Jamie D. Hodge.

In response to the question previously raised, it would seem that we can easily succeed if we put the same emphasis on societal relationships such as family building. However, through bad examples and instructions, we lead the youth astray, and in turn they loose their sense of purpose and identity. Youths are being punished for doing right, and rewarded for doing wrong. The thugs are glorified while the model citizens are ridiculed. This mixed messages cause even those who have upheld he rule of law to become distracted and disillusioned.
Currently, we live in a society where our churches focus on and preach socialism, schools teach capitalism, and our politicians practice corruption. This leads me to answer the question previously raised: “Where in the next generation heading?”
As a modern and civilized society, these two social extremes pose some confusion. We may even liken it to a tug-o-war match amongst social ideals.
Now I ask “Where have all the young men gone?” Although both young men and women are hard-hit by these societal dynamics, it seems like young men in our community have lost hopes of a solid role model. Mothers have taken over as the head of the household and in some instances, the only person in the household.
The youth of today are being further misguided through teaching and example. Globally, national violence has become a preferred way of life.
In support of my statement, Mr. Frett exclaimed: “Leaders manufacture this thing called war, preaching aggression while hiding in under the cloak of self defense and pre-empting terrorist plots.”
The purpose of the editorial is not to attack our Island’s leaders, but acts as a mere cry to help our youth of today better prepare for the future.
As the youths of today and the leaders of tomorrow, we should focus on sayings such one stated by Henry Miller-”The real leader has no need to lead - he is content to point the way.”
Our youths are being misled into thinking that crime and drugs are a way of life which leads to the questions-”Where are the positive male role models for our young men?”; “Why are there no solid existing technical facilities for our school leavers who are not academically inclined?” We boast of a tourism product that is the envy of the Caribbean yet our people are still waiters and busboys. Where are the supervisors, the middle managers, the general managers? We approve project after project and give millions in concessions while our society degenerates and our social structures implode.
The government boast of surplus yet, cannot put money into a hospitality school so that when all these projects are completed, Anguillians can take up leadership positions in them. Again, where is the next generation heading?
In response to the question “where is the next generation heading?” I say we need the assistance of the entire community to act in order to steer the youth into the appropriate directions, and in turn producing the best leaders for tomorrow. We need to invest in our human resource development.
Here in Anguilla, business, government and civil society must partner in securing Anguilla so that Anguillians can benefit through proper health care, education and youth development programs and we cannot afford to put it off till tomorrow.

Authentically Yours:
Jamie D. Hodge