COMMENTARY

By Cyndie Demming

Like Desmond Tutu, “I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.”

I sat quietly amidst the chatter and background noises looking for a reason to truly and ungrudgingly congratulate our new government. This was not to be so, since every attempt I made to express my best wishes, I was knocked down by instances of deceitful, unlawful, wicked and less than Godly reminders of Election Day. Flashes of scenes of Army personnel with long guns, policemen and women clad as if they were preparing for war, people who live in other constituencies and people from abroad who never lived in St Kitts/Nevis were escorted by these officials in uniform to vote. The memories are fresh in mind as if it were yesterday. Strike one!

I reminded myself of the adage which speaks to, “the world is round and what goes around comes around,” move on and accept what is, that is what I told myself. For a moment, I felt good, some national cleansing of the sort. Then, I heard much talk about sour grapes but quizzed myself about a news item where the two seats that were won by PAM, were to be challenged in court. Is this now a case of bitter grapes? Or the straw that broke the camel’s back which speaks to a communist society where one party rules forever and the peoples’ voices are taken away? Strike two!

All is not lost, or so I reminded myself. I am confident that there is a silver lining somewhere. God still sits on the throne looking over us; the good, the bad, and the indifferent! Again, I quieted myself amidst the speculations of the ministerial appointments whether elected or selected. I anxiously await the confirmation of the senators. I was looking forward to be able to stand tall and proud congratulating two young women in senatorial positions. The question may be asked where can we find such caliber of women. The answer is obvious; since we would not see an appointment across party lines I would direct the deciding committee to look firstly in the National Youth Parliament and secondly amongst the intelligent women on their right and on their left who, undoubtedly can make a significant contribution to nation building. The announcement of the two senators left me dumbfounded, the naysayers were right and regrettably I was wrong. The talk about youth empowerment is a farce, if you do not believe me just ask the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador for St Kitts. Another mockery is that of women’s appointment to the highest level of decision making – Parliament! The swearing in parade is sufficient testimony to support my argument. Our government is a government of talk and no action; signing on to treaties and nothing else. It would appear that our government just signs and sleeps. Strike three!

Three strikes – It would appear that someone is out! Is our democracy at risk? Is there any hope for the people of St Kitts in general, and our youth and women in particular? Would non nationals continue to decide our faith, chart our path, our course, and our destiny? Is this a case of prostitution by design? The worst case of exploitation – robbing and raping us every five years of our dreams and aspirations to fulfill their own selfish ambitions and to hold on to power forever? Enriching friends and family while we, the poor and oppressed continue to suffer? To my mind there is no difference between paying for a vote or cheating to win, an adult forcing himself/herself on a minor, and an individual prostituting him/herself.

Just for a quick second I will take the bull by the horns … and be the judge – Guilty on all three counts! You are the one who is out! You are sentenced to life term imprisonment on all three counts.

I beg you for the full menu of rights and not crumbs from your table.

Thank you!

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