We must share and be unified in a dream of hope and freedom for the next generation and the generations to come. A dream of peace and prosperity for generations past whose time has come, for generations present and future whose time is now.
Let us close our eyes but for moment and dream of a time where a new generation of leaders sitting in their seats of authority over all the islands in the Caribbean one day came together with one goal on their agenda, to bring peace, prosperity and respectability to all the people of this region.
As we float silently above listening to these great souls, they speak of the depth of their cultures, the strength of their roots, and the beauty of their oneness. They also share their subtle though recognizable uniqueness and how these should not be allowed to be used by others to divide and conquer the region, but rather they should be developed and used to enrich, to uplift and to unite, to bring about a powerful and proud people.
Out of this conclave of pre-destined leaders a nation watch agreement would be born and we truly became each nation’s keeper. And as each leader went home the watchword went out far and wide that no longer would the nations allow the land pirates to come into our nations and rape them for their own economic pleasures. And no longer would the region allow the sea pirates of our day to sail through our waters dumping hazardous waste, destroying the beauty which lie beneath and taking away the lively hood of so many of our people.
Together these leaders, working with a unified focus and resolve put an end to the transshipment of illegal substances thorough our waters. No longer could the stigma of us caring little for ourselves and less for others be used as a milestone around our neck to keep us subservient. We now stood tall and proud becoming a shining light to the dark harbors of the world.
With unfettered determination these leader’s set out and ensured that self-sufficiency and prosperity became the order of the day and there were no poor among them. Trading the vast agricultural and mineral riches of each nation, with each other brought about economic stability for all. Foreign debt now vanished away, no longer would obligated intimidation influence the decision making process.
Opening our eyes it is with mixed emotions, excited for the future generations to come. Yet saddened at the reality that it was only a dream. We must prepare the next generation for their purpose, we must prepare them for their destiny, we must prepare them for when their time will come, we must prepare them for when their time is now.
Keith M. Dean