There are over 91 nationalities in TCI

Can we assimilate and make TCI the best place?  – Part 2

There is a popular children’s rhyme that states “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” I disagree with this statement as words do hurt and many times have a permanent state on one’s mindset. In fact, the Bible confirms that the power of life and death is in the tongue.

Think deeply about the statements that are mentioned in Part 1 and think about the impact they have on someone. Do not be quick to speak what is on your mind. Even though some of the statements may be accurate but ask yourselves before you speak whether the words spoken will solve anything, empower someone, discourage someone and perpetuate divisiveness. Just stating facts do not solve anything. In fact it causes more harm than good.If we all learn to discontinue using derogative statements, this is the first step towards living together in harmony.

One fact about a small country is that one tends to know everything that is going on in the country in a heartbeat. In larger countries, the information takes a longer time to disseminate. The truth is whatever happens in TCI happens everywhere. Every country has some lazy people, some xenophobic people, some passive people, some aggressive people, some sensitive people, some small-minded people, some slave mentality people (even if your country is independent), some weak people, some strong people, some smart people and some great athletes. Every country has some dishes that they are well known for. Every country has residents that dress well. In fact, most of the time the food we eat and the clothes and shoes we wear especially in the Caribbean are imported from other countries anyway so why argue who cooks best and who can dress the best.

We have to come to grips with reality that every individual is unique and therefore should conclude that all TC Islanders are not the same and likewise all expatriates are not the same. You may encounter two or three lazy TC Islanders but that does not mean that all Turks and Caicos Islanders are lazy. You may hear some locals say they do not like some outsiders but that does not mean that all locals do not like outsiders. On the other hand, I believe that there are some expatriates that consider the TCI their home and really want to help but they are discouraged by the negative comments.

How do you feel when someone says something negative about you? Do you feel good? No.After all, we are human beings and human beings have feelings. We do not know the future and we do not know where our children and grandchildren will end up. Whoever envision that TCI would host 91 nationalities? Many years ago, some of our families migrated to Bahamas for survival. Now today, some of the generations from those families in Bahamas have migrated to TCI. Maybe 10 or 20 years down the road, some of us may have to migrate to one of those 91 countries.Even if we don’t end up in any of those countries, it is simply not right to say anything negative about someone. Plant a good seed now so you can get a good fruit in the future. By speaking negative words, we are planting a bad seed that will result in a bad fruit of hatred and division. Is this the kind of bad fruit we want for TCI? Do you love the TCI? If the answer is yes then let us make TCI a positive environment to live and work in. All we have to do is control what comes out of our mouth.