VETERANS vs YOUTH - part one
Over the years, we have been mystified by such hypocritical movements in St. Lucia which has infiltrated the most powerful ranks in the country, that most of us now follow-through with what was disseminated from our fathers. We join them in singing their songs and echo their choruses. We do as they do and say as they say. We have become a product of their frustration and by-products of their selfishness. We epitomize their hunger for something better in absence of personal triumphs. We are stuck in between their quest for recognition and the operation damnation. We are the YOUTH, and according to them, we are nothing good.
Yes, we are the youth. Sad to say so, but in our beautiful Helen of the West, the name “youth” has become synonymous to violence; worthlessness, gangster, criminal, laziness, inefficiency, incompetence, malice, disgust, and the list of insignificant attributes yet go on. The policy makers and high-ranking money men (supposedly), frown at as and call us many different types of names. Something being echoed by most of them as they use the local media to divulge their beliefs is that we are good-for-nothing.
Now, the same persons who are quick to condemn us nationally are the first ones to praise remarkable achievements of the few of us who make it international. Then the efforts of the rest are left unheard of and we are castigated and damned with a war of words and misdeeds. So we are left with no choice, but to sit and watch from a distance as the veterans put us down and the government struggle to meet our needs. At the end of it all, we are never given an opportunity to prove ourselves nor defend our struggles. We are kicked off on a side like old dogs left to fend in an environment where the strong survives and the weak ravaged.
Yes we are the youth and we have done nothing deserving of continuous praise. All we are is just a one-time wonder – well the few of us who can stand amidst the air of hypocrisy – a troubled part of the nation needing urgent attention. That is, according to the veterans.
But we are, the YOUTH:
I am Darren Sammy; first St. Lucian ever to play on the West Indies international team and have delivered record performances in the eyes of the world. Yes, and I am only 24 yrs old. I am a youth.
I am 25-yr old Nicole Mc Donald, another youth achiever: Editor of The STAR and host of Commentary on DBS Television. Not only am i competent in my work but i also love what i do.
I am Lisa J. Weekes; first St. Lucian artiste to be featured on the MTV Tempo Tv station, one of international standards unsurpassed and my video remained on the “top ten” for several weeks alongside some of the biggest names in the world. I am a youth about 25 yrs old.
I am 24yr old Shayne Ross; 2006-2007 Local R&B superstar winning the hearts of thousands far beyond our homeland St. Lucia and one of the popular names on the local freestyle scene.
I am 24yr old Sherwin Brice; mega producer with countless number one hits on radio stations around the Caribbean, also a singer and song writer who worked with names of international acclaim.
I am 24yr old Diana Philip; poet, singer, journalist and 2007 Digicel rising star finalist and prized place winner of Word Alive 2007.
I am Lesley Auguste; remarkable young painter with a gallery to capture the hearts of many.
I am Huntley Chico; a “jack-of-all-trades”, now master of all. I write poetry, handy in arts and craft, song writer, social commentator, artiste, mechanic, tiler, electrician, and the list goes on. I presently have unique furniture pieces from art on sale at between $3000 - $10000 US.
I am Lavern Spencer; star high-jumper and a winner by nature. I am regionally and internationally known and respected in the sport. I am first and I am YOUTH.
I am Courtney Kurty Louis; super Soca producer working with regional artistes like Machel Montana, Destra, KMC, Nya George, Mr Killa, and many others as well as numerous local acts like Nicole, Ninja, Kakal, etc.
I am Afro-Lyrics; one of the most loved poetry and music groups in Lucia.
I am the Mighty Floopsy; youngest St. Lucian calypsonian, champion in many ways than one - Mighty enough to take on the countries best calypsonians and place far before them.
I am 16yr old Andy Daniel; St. Lucia’s Junior Tourism Minister known for articulation.
I am Emrand Henry; a start on the quest for greatness and an international favourite - First ever winner of the Cable and Wireless Star Quest competition.
I am Jamila Lisson; Beautiful, Bold, Fierce and one of St. Lucia’s and the Caribbean’s number one models.
I am Cathy Daniel; Miss St. Lucia Earth, beautiful, intelligent and attractive.
I am 17 yr old Tricia K. Nicholas; St Lucian student on national honour roll in the US proudly highlighted in annual publications of school.
I am Porsha Lewis; outstanding national volleyball player
I am Shervon Sealy; regional country and western singer
I am Leanda Ernest; star athlete who competed in Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda winning medals and on a four year scholarship in South West Missouri State University.
I am Shepp Dawg; first ever St. Lucia to have a song stay on radio charges for so long locally and still be aired almost every weekend on one radio station from its launch over a year ago. I am first local dancehall act to receive so much attention by international bodies.
I am Ted Sandiford; first ever, most recognized young cartoonist in Lucia. I have produced many music videos and cartoon clips for local business and ministry officials. I have worked with St. Lucia’s top artistes.
I am Junior; one of DBS’s most respected technical engineers.
I am Mc Scady; known not only by the music fraternity, but also to radio listeners and YO! Readers. I am DJ, radio announcer, reporters, magazine writer, promoter, etc.
I am 18 yr old Kayo; St. Lucia’s number one hip-hop artiste. The child with the “golden voice”.
I am 25 yr old Cherry L; another national music star with a music genre that is totally new.
I am 20yr old DJ Buzz; 2007 Green Synergy winner and entertainer.
I am 24 yr old Stephen A. Dantes; one of the youngest St. Lucian sons to publish first book at 21 and second at 22 yrs old. I am a writer/poet with a mission to air the cries of the youth. I am a website builder and designer of which I learnt all on my own. I am also administrator for site that puts St. Lucian Arts on the world map. I am also an artist and a computer tech.
I am the writer of this article. And it’s because of the unfair treatment of young people and the lack of recognition for our accomplishments that I address the piece to the veterans. There are many other names of young persons that deserve to be on this list, but I had to be short for this is only part one. All those names mentioned above are persons in their late teens or in their 20’s. They all are St. Lucia’s YOUTH. And we all have made a difference to St. Lucian Culture. Yet, we are called useless by the veterans.
It hurts to see with so much talent and so much effort; the veterans can only say the youth of today are no good without thinking of those young persons who toiled while the others slept. Why can’t they be like Sir John G.M. Compton, the ONLY veteran who tried to bridge the gap between the youth and the veterans.
