Gazing at the Man In The Mirror, the late mega superstar Michael Jackson sang:
"I see the kids in the street,
With not enough to eat/ who am I, to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs."
At home, police officer Bernard Marshall is reminded of the plight of waifs in Jackson's paean. He's often wondered whether social issues like crime, poverty and irresponsible leaders are a "cultural thing. "Marshall, who's heading the Strictly Kingdom Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), decided to seek some answers. He began the process for the implementation of a National Cultural Transformation Programme titled Change Our World. Quizzed on his sentiments on his colleagues' day of Rest and Reflection, Marshall said: "I rest and reflect everyday." As his thoughts drifted, Marshall knew he had to do a bit more than just continue to sit and cogitate. He had to address society's ills. There was the no room for the sort of nonchalance Nero displaying; urging his best fiddlers to play while Rome burned. The reality there was need for an intervention hit him like the proverbial ton of bricks.
Marshall feels that T&T should address regressive cultural underpinnings inherent in its values, attitudes and beliefs, poor global ratings, absence of consensus on shared national values resulting in weak and patriotism and ad hoc approach to development (silo effect). Marshall added: "When you look at what is happening in society today. When you look at the crime, what is happening in schools...teen suicides... the whole education system." "We have a greater education system. The society is more educated today. But everything is topsy turvy. Are we paying a heavy price for progress." The assessment would take the form of a workshop on National Cultural Transformation themed Change Our World to be held on September 7, 8 and 9.
Shift the culture
Marshall said the society had a lot of issues with police officers. But they came from within the bowels of the society. He said: "We have no police farm. They have the same attitudes, values and beliefs of the society. It is same society that is producing them. All organisations are a sub culture." Marshall felt T&T was responsible for its own decadence. He added: "When you see the macro perspective. It is our violence. We hope every generation is better than the generation before. How are we going to fix it?" He cast aspersions at the feet of culture. Marshall said: "Culture perpetuated research and development. Most first world nations have particular traits. Values are the well spring for development. What you are talking about is culture. No nation has a mono culture."
Slipping into sociologist's mode, Marshall said: "Crime is a symptom of the product. Non productivity isn't the problem. It is the work ethic." Using the analogy of cancer to interpret the society's behaviour, Marshall said: "Cancer is not the problem. It is the problem...the symptoms that cause cancer. When you look at behaviour, whether it is good or bad. It is what shapes our attitudes and beliefs." Marshall said it was also important to understand the society's history, mores and sub-cultures when it came to deviant behaviour.
Lack of patriotism
Mere weeks before T&T's Independence, Marshall continues to remain appalled at the lack of patriotism. Simple acts placing litter in a bin or preserving sacred ancestral sites are ignored. He said: "Again, cultures would have laid certain premises. Tribalism supersedes patriotism. The whole aspect of ethics has been eroded. Parents who don't know how to be good parents. Nurses who are not hospitable at work at the hospitals. "Square pegs in round holes at the T&T Police Service. People are frustrated because they are in places they shouldn't be. They should fit their fit." Again, "culture" was accused of being the worst culprit. "Education, health, every symptom that holds up the society is wrong. Every problem we have identified is culture."
Shift the culture
Marshall noted for any serious change to occur, the consciousness should shift to a higher level of consciousness. There should be a shift from consumerism. He said: "We need to get an education to make money. We need money so buy a maxi. The society is commercially driven." Leadership should be elevated, too. He said: "It should start from the politicians, NGOs, CBOs and leadership in corporations."
Perpetuate transformation
Marshall said the underlying thrust of the intervention was "to avoid the revolution and perpetuate a transformation." "The programme we are looking at is to provide a road map. The second phase would be the public awareness campaigns. We want to give them other alternatives than billboards... other than the existing pop culture. "We want to present alternatives like motivational speaker Les Brown, Stephen Covey and even offer an Empowerment magazine."
Marshall found the majority of the population wants to be successful; but are not sure how to achieve their goals. He said: "The average Joe wants to be a better person. That is why they too need help. Someone has to show them there is a better way." Marshall lamented, compared to neighbouring Barbados, T&T had not yet achieved first world status despite its abundance of resources and skilled personnel.
About the project
It is being held under the patronage of President of the Senate Timothy Hamel-Smith. They have embarked upon joint collaboration with Prisons, Police and Fire Associations. At the end, they hope to identify areas of "cultural dysfunctionality." He said: "We want to inform the government on our findings." Marshall has formed strategic alliances with local and international development planning, cultural transformation and motivational professionals of the calibre of Dr Cindy Trimm, Prof Lawrence Harrison, Richard Barrett, Phil Clothier and local consultant Karen Bart-Alexander.
More info
• Interested citizens can visit the Web site Change Our World 2011 or contact 732-4332.
Donations and grants are welcome since it the project would cost about $1.5 million.
Assessment aims
• To use a valid statistical sample to determine the cultural value system of the society and the level of cultural entropy (dysfunctionality)
• To give an approximate economic cost of the existing level of entropy.
About Strictly Kingdom
Founded by Marshall, the NGO's vision is to be identified globally as the leading institution for developing the human capital by establishing a dynamic and multifaceted model that would yield a paradigm shift within the 12 structures of society. It aims to create national change with a global impact. It places high values on spirituality, on the oneness of God and creation by intelligent design. The company acknowledges and holds in high regard the input of philosophy and science towards the greater understanding of life. Marshall, a graduate of UWI, St Augustine, is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a double minor in Psychology and Social Policy.