As a citizen of The Bahamas, I often sit back and watch Bahamian people literally tote this island on their shoulders. Yes, we keep this island spinning and moving everyday, but at what cost?
Blood, sweat and tears are being trampled on and we are not exalted nor esteemed for hard work. Foreign workers and investors come into our country, do the same job that we do, but are paid much more. They receive all the perks ﾗ from the cars to drive, the nice house to live in and, in most cases, the proper schooling for their kids. We receive our pay cheques, which is not half of what it should be, but we take it anyway, pretending to be happy just to keep food on the table.
How is it that the movers and shakers of this island (the people) are the ones who suffer? Yes, we are suffering from the prices at the gas pumps, we’re suffering from the high and ever-increasing prices in the foodstores, and we are suffering from consistently being overlooked and underpaid in the workplace.
In the foodstores, I often watch visitors to the island pick an item from the shelf, become shocked and appalled at the price and say amongst themselves, “How do these people make it? How do they survive?”
I would only say to myself that we are barely surviving. Every five years we receive a visit from our friendly neighbourhood politician, tricking us into giving them our votes and the minute they get into power, the welfare and common good of the people ceases; always forgotten. But I say to the crooked politician, the don’t care foreign investors and, of course the “Black Crab,” Bahamian people are not dead, only sleeping and one day we will wake up and put an end to this cruel and vicious cycle.
Sincerely,
Inquiring Minds ﾗJah T.
