THE EDITOR: We must seek out the good from among us, the true patriots, the hard workers, and together build a better nation.
David John-Williams, the founder of W Connection, had a vision for our young people. The members of his club dressed respectfully and carried themselves with dignity and pride. He invested what he had into making a positive contribution towards improving the lives of those he touched. His contribution to football will always be remembered. His life is gone like a candle in the wind.
His death has led me to think about the many people alive and dead whose dedication to improving the lives of many are unreported and in many cases unknown. It has also led me to wonder why so many narcissistic self-serving individuals are so popular.
One would think that a person who emanated from a small village of Guapo in south Trinidad, who overcame drug addiction and emerged as one of the pillars of local entertainment would be popular among our people.
Moreover, when such a person invests in a television station promoting mainly local content and stuck to not advertising alcohol, one would think that local businesses would support that station in droves. Instead that person almost lost his home because he placed all that he had into his dream for better entertainment for the people he loves.
Errol Fabien should be graced as one of our nation's leaders that we are proud of.
I also think of another ignored soul. Avonelle Hector Joseph, founder of Is There Not A Cause?, lives a life of service to people. Her dedication to assisting the poor has taken her outside of Trinidad and Tobago to communities in need of help in Haiti and St Vincent. She too ought to be seen as a potential leader in a new and developed TT.
Unfortunately, the many visionaries of our land pass through without ever seeing their dream realised or recognised. Few today remember Dr Morgan Job, walking through the airport selling his book hoping to influence people towards a life better than they had.
Lloyd Best had a dream of a party of parties, a place where parties converge and emerge united in the best interest of TT. He passed without ever realising that dream.
I think of Basdeo Panday, a prime minister of East Indian ancestry who sought to include at the highest level in his government people of different races. A person who addressed with passion water distribution, infrastructure repair and crime. That man who founded the UNC continues to this day to see people almost daily to render whatever assistance he can.
I am in no position to pronounce on the characters of the people named but I do know that for TT to progress we need people with vision who are willing to serve - not those consumed with self-promotion.
STEVE ALVAREZ
via e-mail
The post Embrace our good people appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
