Today, the USA celebrates Memorial Day in honour of individuals who died while serving in the US military and I think the USA does a very good job in honouring and promoting them and their families. Despite the risks involve and the length of stay away from families and friends, individuals continue to sign up for the military in order to serve and protect the USA.

Today is also a holiday In the Turks and Caicos Islands known as JAGS today. Hon. JAGS was our first leader of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1976 to 1980 but unfortunately he died in a plane crash and therefore was not able to fulfil the vision he had for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hon. JAGS fought hard for equality and justice for the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He treated everyone the same no matter their political affiliation or which island you are from. He was also getting ready to break away from the UK making Turk and Caicos an independent nation.

I appreciate everything that Hon. JAGS has done for our country but I am tired of all the rhetoric and talk. Unfortunately some of the same individuals that continue to talk about him are doing things contrary to what he stood for. Even the political party that he founded has moved away from his platform.

If we really wish to honour our hero, then let us walk his talk.

Lead by example in unity

During JAGS day (formerly National Heroes’ Day), there is a clarion call by our leaders for us to unite but they themselves are not demonstrating they want us to unite. They have encourage individuals to bring one another down through their fake accounts on social media. The moment someone speaks out, that individual is attacked. If we want to honour JAGS then appreciate people no matter their political affiliation or island they are from. Stop putting people in positions because they are political affiliated with the party in Government. Stop delaying and interfering in contracts because the individuals are not supporters of your party. Stop looking at people as “yellow” or “blue”. Stop look at people as “Turks” or “Caicos.” Look and treat people equally as Turks and Caicos Islanders

Fight for equality and justice for the people

There is inequality in injustice taking place right in front of our eyes and nobody wants to address it. We are afraid and as a result, our people continue to become marginalized. It is time we stop saying Turks and Caicos Islanders first. It is time we stop saying it is the people’s time. It is time to show that Turks and Caicos Islanders are first in their country. It is time to show equality. Let us talking about it and do something about it.  Ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are in key positions. Ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are treated fairly in this country. Ensure that no one is taking advantage of Turks and Caicos Islanders. Too many times it is our own that are taking advantage of us. JAGS would have not encourage this type of behaviour.

Educate the public about Independence

Whether we want independence or not, we should promote and encourage dialogues on independence. Had JAGS not die in that plane crash, the Turks and Caicos might have been independent. Yet the very party that he founded has shied away from engaging in Independence Talks.

Conclusion

Let us stop using the name of JAGS to gain political mileage and fame.  While our country has developed in terms of the physical infrastructure, it does not seem that we as a people have progressed. We continue fight among each other and try to keep each other down. We continue to make a big showdown on JAGS day and the remaining 364 days don’t mean anything because we do not walk the talk.