COMMENTARY: Opinion 2020

Alex Bruno

I have taken the liberty to observe the prevailing attitude of the Dominican people, especially over the past decade. This comes on the heels of my several fact-finding missions – which include scientific surveys – on the socio-political dynamics in Dominica, dating back to 2000, and I am confident that there has been a shift in behaviors among Dominicans.

Dominica’s political culture has shifted and with that, a number of troubling signs are self-evident. Political culture here should be understood as the set of attitudes and practices held by people that shape their political behavior. Political behavior is basically people interaction, including electoral activities. Political culture, therefore, refers to the peoples’ moral judgments, political beliefs, and their general idea or set of ideas about what makes a good society.

It is my view, therefore, that selfishness has replaced cooperative communal tendencies; the people have become immune to anti-benevolent practices (especially in elected office and other such positions of responsibility); there are great levels of intolerance and disregard for indifference and peaceful coexistence, and there seems to have been an erosion of honesty in the society.

Nowhere else was this more evident than in that period following hurricane Maria in 2017, when the people so viciously looted and destroyed the undamaged physical infrastructures of their very own brothers and sisters. Yes, I looted too following hurricane David in 1979, but my looting was sanctioned by my deceased grandmother who also set the terms and conditions of the looting. “Alex,” she said, “go tek food ouché pat you flying om” (go and fetch food anywhere you find it). I, therefore, looted foodstuff – enough to keep us going until we, by our own means, could repair our lives and procure our livelihood. More than this seemed to have occurred in 2017. People were violent and non-selective in their looting behavior, and the question is why? I guess the culture of parental guidance was different then.

There may be other, more qualified answers to my question, but what I am sure of is that our people have changed and that change does not seem to be for the better. What is most critical now, therefore, is for us to understand and identify the genesis of that change from who we were to who we have become. We need to revisit that moment in our history when we parted ways with the Dominican consciousness, and this can only be achieved through an honest search. It is a sort of journey which begins with the individual and connects to other such self-examination(s). Such a practice will bear positive fruits if the mission is purposefully led by a clear vision of newness.

2020 provides us with that opportunity. Let us look inwards for the answers (which might even be staring us in the face) and apply a fix to the problems which we face as a Dominican society. We need new and conscious leaders – or leaders with a renewed sense of consciousness – to guide our resolve because the current crop have become lazy, tired and greedy (most of them), and unappealing. It is my wish that a new and improved Dominica emerge, beginning today, and that emergence will lead us to a better place.

My fellow Dominicans at home and abroad, I wish you what you wish for yourself, your family and loved ones in 2020 and beyond. Let us be a community again, even if we are separated by space, air, water and time – or especially so. Our country is on the verge: let us create whatever verge (or reality) we want that verge to be. Let us say and claim that we are on the verge of prosperity, so we can take that plunge together with the knowledge and faith that when we come together – meaningfully – we prosper together.

2020 is a year of coalition building; a period when you and I learn to work together for a greater cause. We have a country to save and nothing should stand in the way of our collective efforts to rebuild our nation’s damaged culture.

Opinions expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Dominica News Online or its advertisers.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

22 Comments

  1. Gary
    January 5, 2020

    Alex start with your self, why don’t you take the liberty to observe your prevailing attitude rather than that of your fellow Dominicans. Your opening paragraph dip[lays such arrogance, wow.Your so called several fact-finding missions which include scientific surveys on the socio-political dynamics in Dominica can be described as pseudoscience. You are entitled to your opinion and remember, that opinions are never facts. You also need to be reminded that the prevailing attitude you ascribed to the people of Dominica is no different than the attitude of the people in the Country you reside, so please stop your denigration on the people of Dominica.

  2. Fed with hypocrisy
    January 3, 2020

    Alex stop your hypocrisy. You are a major contributor to the negative cultural change taking place in Dominica. You clearly misguided Dominicans with your fictitious poll in your bid to try to create a perceived victory for the UWP. Alex stop playing pious because Dominicans know your political history with the UWP and the efforts you made to try to bring victory to the UWP for the past 3 election cycles.
    Alex you need to give Dominicans a scientific explanation for the disastrous election results for the UWP at the last elections. You also need to help to UWP to help remodel themselves for the next elections or else they will face another huge defeat. Stop the self righteous hypocritical rantings on Facebook and start to play your role in nation bu

    • patriot
      January 5, 2020

      but everybody know the scientific result, you want Alex to spell it out to you again or you head just hard and you only playing bright.

  3. Sybil nowell
    January 2, 2020

    Mr go back and hide in America you are full of doods. Any to e you talk something happen to UWP because you you self is cursed. Your opinion sucks. It is mumbo jj no basically. So shut the …. up.
    If I was Lenox I would give you wide birth. Your views appear to be cominig from someone with a confused mind .

  4. Kalinago Justice
    January 2, 2020

    Some of you on here are confirming what the brother wrote! You all don’t even want him to express himself! :?:

  5. mine
    January 2, 2020

    Alex, you never condemn what happened in Salisbury, Marigot and attacked on the Bishop and Cardinal that is what you call behavioral problems. It’s a new year you should be brave and bold to tell your friend Lennox to step down.

  6. Objective Observer
    January 2, 2020

    Happy New Year Alex. Your commentary would have made a lively and informative panel discussion, via radio or television, to start the new year. But alas, gone are the days when we had in-depth local media presentations or productions, such as “What About?”, which we had on Marpin Telecoms in the 1990s.

    Instead what we have had over the past 15 years is an almost exclusive focus on politics and power, both real news and fake news, meant to denigrate and destroy. This political agenda has not helped to edify or educate the masses on everyday life issues. I disagree that the “cultural” decline should be blamed on a shift in the political culture because in Dominica, people’s needs and wants at elections time have always driven the political rule.

  7. Objective Observer
    January 2, 2020

    No political party has won an election without giving the “people” whatever the majority wants. Literally. And that will not change anytime soon. Also, the composition of “people” has changed, as with everywhere else on the planet, since physical barriers and borders no longer define a people. People will vote for whom and what they want.

    Dominicans hold very firmly to their religious and political beliefs and do not change these beliefs very easily. Therefore, notwithstanding the revelations of child sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church, you have not heard of any major local outcries or mass exodus to other religions. Note that it “was found that from 1990 to mid-2018, abuse reports about 382 priests were made to the Church, with 625 children, mostly under 16, sexually abused by members of the Catholic clergy.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_cases

  8. Objective Observer
    January 2, 2020

    Similarly non-Catholic pastors, or other men of God, who are loved and trusted by their flock, are no longer abandoned when allegations of wrong doing are leveled against them.

    You would remember the wonderful work that you were doing with the elderly and centenarians in Dominica in the 1990s, and which some people did all in their power to destroy and taint because they believed you were benefitting personally, in some way. You were unable to convince them that everything was way above board.

    True, many Dominicans have changed over the years but it seems to be more of an individual process. On one hand, there is a growing culture of forgiveness, tolerance and empathy for the underdog and, on the other hand, a definite pervasive culture of punishing others by whatever means to justify the beliefs that they either are not good enough or do not have good intentions.

    At the heart of any solution to our problems, will be the individual’s basic needs and wants.

  9. Eagle-Eyed
    January 2, 2020

    Alex you have already proved yourself as a fake pollster, so no one believes anything you say apart from the bit where you confess to be a looter. That is the main reason why people put their trust in Skerrit again and not Linton with whom you have teamed up to try and loot our CBI money. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  10. Reply
    January 2, 2020

    No one asked for your opinion sir. Your are a Lennox 2.0…Find something else do and let someone with relevance speak on good governance and the Dominican mindset

  11. Roger Burnett
    January 2, 2020

    Unfortunately many Dominicans only relate “culture” to dress, dance, music and a limited number of crafts. Hence, “culture”, in terms of the behavioral traits of a society, is alas none of their concern.

  12. KID ON THE BLOCK
    January 2, 2020

    Bro, I feel your pain but deal with it: 18 to 3
    Get over it bro. Your greasy POLL was too slimy so it caused a landslide disaster at the expense of the UWP.
    Will the UWP continue on the same path like it did in THE PAST 5 YEARS? Just criticizing and destroying everything in the country? With no tangible solution to repair what They(UWP) have destroyed.
    Bro, this behavioral shift you are referring to began in 1995.
    Bear in mind that the next general election will be in 2025 and one can clearly see that this rejected party has not started on good footing for 2020.

  13. Ti Garcon
    January 2, 2020

    I wonder if Mr Bruno reading or understanding what he is saying. He is basically criticizing an entire nation based on what? His personal opinion?

    I’m assuming this is because of UWP lost at the recent elections- doesn’t he realized the Lennox Linton himself represents the worse of Dominicans? Hateful, ignorant, uneducated, spiteful, sore loser and a self righteous bigot? Where is his grace and humility, acceptance of his incompetency and the know it all to prepare a pathway for someone else?

    Yes you are right about “2020 is a year of coalition building; a period when you and I learn to work together for a greater cause.” Tell Lennox stay in 2019, resign and give Dominica a chance going forward, or his personal greed will keep us floored.

    And yes i voted UWP. so I have the right to give the opposition advice.

  14. zandoli
    January 2, 2020

    Alex, sorry bro, the barn was flung open a long time ago and the horse is not going back in. I, like you have seen the change in our society and, although I am not afraid of change, I do lament the change I have seen in our society and I do not like it one bit. That change has not been progressive and it will not do anything to advance our society.
    I have seen an increase in selfishness, greed, jealousy and a lack of caring for our fellow citizens. Everyone is concerned about themselves and to hell with everyone else.
    That does not bode well for the future of our country. I do not believe we can rely on a change in leadership to turn that attitude around. Sometimes change is permanent and we just have to deal with the fallout.

  15. viewsexpressed
    January 2, 2020

    From Pawol – Lets read together:
    “It is my view, therefore, that selfishness has replaced cooperative communal tendencies; the people have become immune to anti-benevolent practices (especially in elected office and other such positions of responsibility); there are great levels of intolerance and disregard for indifference and peaceful coexistence, and there seems to have been an erosion of honesty in the society.”
    Thanks a million Pawol and I do hope our people read, analyse and observe the status that we are into, under this failed Labour Regime, under failed, immature Skerrit and his blind followers.
    We seriously and desperately need good governance in our Dominica at the helm of our Government. This is key that all Dominicans, politicians, government ministers and our people out there “Read & comprehend this message”strongly. Read well, do an assessment, analyse and make a contribution that we address this matter, a serious concern presented to us by one of our man of the…

  16. Kalinago Justice
    January 2, 2020

    :?: Great contribution from a Patriot. Many of those who live away from that Island home called Waitukubuli, would love to be able to visit and also retire/live there. Like you my brother, what I’ve seen, it’s becoming impossible to make our island home. For many who have lived and worked in what we call developed Countries where law,order, civility and tranquility exists, our Island home is becoming a dead hell to live!! Starting from the top, meaning the governance, it’s pure evil dominating the once lovely Island. Many who made the decision to go back home to spend the remaining time of their life and some even investing, has packed and left back to their adopted Countries. It’s sad that even my wife who’s foreign had good intentions for the Island she thought she could call home,has now changed her mind about settling there. The way things are on Island,if continued,it will only be a fools paradise!!!

    • Galileo
      January 2, 2020

      Why is there all this hostility towards Alex? I am one of Alex’s biggest critics when it comes to his polls, however, his contribution here is spot on. I have lamented the state of affairs in our country as it relates to person to person relations. If we don’t stop to take stock and seek remedies we are doomed to follow in the footsteps of other violent jurisdictions in the Caribbean.

  17. MrSpeaker
    January 1, 2020

    You have zero credibility with Dominicans. Frankly speaking dude keep your opinions to yourself

    • Heddy
      January 2, 2020

      Me pawol here you go again. Your greasy poll you made was your opinion. It seems that the UWP regime dwells on opinion. I remember when ask about the billion dollars that seem to be missing. The opposition leader said that’s my opinion. Alas no facts like Mr pawol

    • Jay
      January 3, 2020

      Fake pollster, Real Fraudster

  18. Mr Jack
    January 1, 2020

    Who asked for your opinion

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available