Attorney-at-Law, Gabriel Christian, has emphasized the importance of team work in building a better Dominica.
Christian’s comments came at the book launch and signing ceremony of the new edition of his book, “Rain on a Tin Roof” held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Auditorium last week.
“Rain on a Tin Roof” which was published almost 20 years ago, touched on many aspects of life while Christian was growing up in Dominica.
“As a country if we understand the essential importance of team work, of working together, of holding hands, of respecting each other, of being able to agree, not disagreeably but agreeing to disagree and still maintaining an essential humanity and amity we can build a better community,” he said.
Christian believes that Dominica can be an example at a time when the world is “severely troubled.”
“This is a time in which we live and as human beings, small though our country might be, we have given much greatness to the world,” he argued.
The size of Dominica vs the extent of our natural resources is an indicator of our ability to accomplish great things.
He views literature as an essential instrument in the national development mission.
“No nation I believe can rise further than its writers,” he noted. “ The writer makes the record for the legislation that passes through national Parliament…the writer teaches, the write creates in our minds places to which we’ve never been and may never get to go.”
Dentist, Dr. Damien Dublin and former UNESCO Cultural Adviser, Alwin Bully both voiced their commendation for the republication.
Dr. Dublin called for more public support for literature.
“The key thing is in our literary works, we have to be based on something; it’s not just writing for writing sake, you have to be sure that you understand your history, you understand your story, you understand why you are writing. You have to write for a purpose,” he remarked
Copies of the book were presented to some of the guests who were present at the ceremony.
The book costs $55 and is available at Jays Bookstore in Roseau.
$55 for the book is disgraceful. What about giving ALL the money he gets from it to a Dominica charity? What about that? I guess not after all he is a lawyer and Dominicans are so, so stupid and gullible
Gabriel I admire your effort. I must however offer my criticism towards people like you who have been so selective and too silent about the kind of governance that we have in Dominica. The people of Dominica need guys like you to be consistent. You know that the MO of the current leadership is not going to change. They rule by dividing the people. Anyone who they deem a non supporter does not have a fair chance. 16 years and they have not altered their MO do you expect them to change or want to work together.