The death of effort

Two days after, my fellow columnist, Ian Lambie, had this column headline: Time to end the freeness.

(Newsday, March 29) I began to think what will help prevent this country from further socio-economic slippage. Many ideas swirl around, but building national consensus is like pulling-teeth in this country. .

Squatting has become so widespread and politically-encouraged, it is now seen as “our culture”, in some cases, protected by court judgments.

As for Lambie’s “stopping freeness,” well, I will use a sentence in Potter’s article: “The government obliges, especially near elections.” But who really listens? Over the years, what’s the value of making any strenuous mental exertion, of making any vigorous, determined effort to help yourself, to work hard for what you need? Why make the effort to build when you have “freeness and squatting” so lavishly available? Even when it subverts and demoralises the hard-working middle class who themselves are now tempted to share in the “freeness and lawless culture.” This is “broken windows” theory at large. In fact, before this US theory, we used to say, “Gee dem a inch, an’ dey go take a yard.” Same thing. This is different from helping the deserving poor.

As a small boy, I saw all my adult neighbours rushing off to work, some on bicycles, others briskly walking down San Juan hill to catch the early train to Port-of-Spain.

This required effort. It was a very poor neighbourhood but punctuality and the value of having a job were part of “our culture” then – 50 years ago.

A little older, I, too, rode to town, reaching work on time, happy to have my $12 a week messenger’s job, even putting on a tie.

Of course, I know things have changed — plenty cars, higher salaries, household appliances, Disney Land, patronage politics, etc. But Nappy Myers too should know, we really can’t bring back “dem ole’ time days.” But what we can and should bring back is the kind of effort so many people, even poor people, used to make to help themselves and their community. At 15, I was made secretary of the Santa Cruz-Quarry Road Village Council.

There was great respect for other people’s property and privacy. Squatting was rare. My single mother paid a pepper-corn rent for a half-lot way up the hill — no squatting. Today, greed and land speculation not only help energise squatting but put heavy pressure on the middle class shrinking pockets.

A bit overstretched but quite purposeful, the Guardian editorialised: “As we face considerable challenges from crime to corruption and economic contraction, it’s time to go back and be inspired by the hard work and determination of those who against all odds, not only survived but grew stronger and helped build this young nation.” (March 28) We need improved effort and integrity — from top to bottom — in our nation-building mission. We already have some, but it is still too little for what is urgently required.

Our economic planning and development remain upside down.

Logically, it takes human effort and mental exertion to make the money work, and more critically, when the money is in small supply. Causing others to do your job, wasting time is not development. Starting work at eight and sitting down from 10 is not development. Coming late often and leaving early from work is not development.

Imposing unfair wages and harsh working conditions is not development.

Putting a mark-up price of 200 per cent on grocery items is not about development.

“Thiefing” from the public treasury and state corruption are not about development. Development of this small, post-colonial society now requires concerted efforts, increased mental vigour and a national commitment to rise above its current stranded condition. More money alone will not do.

It takes g r e a t e r effort, an improved u n d e r - standing of nationhood.

And leadership.