Bold Demands made by Youthful speaker on JAGS Day; Lightbourne calls for deeper Cohesion

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, June 6, 2022 – Unite for a stronger Turks and Caicos in honor of the Most Excellent J.A.G.S. McCartney was the message passed on to islanders this 2022 JAGS Day.

Leo Lightbourne in his speech at the May 31 Wreath Laying ceremony in honor of McCartney, Lightbourne explained that Turks and Caicos Islanders could not be like other countries, which allow an “individualistic” culture to dominate.

“Honorable McCartney wanted a Turks and Caicos where the social values revolved around what is best for the community. He wanted an environment where helping others and asking for help for others was not only encouraged but viewed as essential. He understood that it took a village working collectively together, “ Lightbourne maintained.

The young man and talk show host, shared with TCI islanders what they could do to implement this kind of togetherness in the TCI.

He called on the Turks and Caicos Christian Council to do its part in promoting togetherness and building stronger communities in the TCI as well, noting that the ‘most segregated hour in our country’ was 11 am on a Sunday morning.

Mr. Lightbourne maintained that the purpose of religion was to unite not to divide.

Lightbourne was quick to add that unity was not just about Turks and Caicos Belongers but all people who lived on the islands and contributed to the country.  He listed Haitians and Dominicans specifically, asking TCI islanders not to “shoot the messenger” as these subjects tend to create polarizing and strong reactions.

Forging ahead with his message on this most prominent stage, Lightbourne noted that the majority of babies born in the last year were born to Haitian parents and urged the people of the Turks and Caicos not to shut these individuals out saying, “Haitians are a part of the Turks and Caicos islands history and culture no matter if that is accepted or not…sooner or later we are going to have to make a choice. To accept or reject the rising population. We are going to have to create a country where the two of these countries ca co-exist. I understand that this is a tough task for leaders but we cannot sweep this under the rug, one day we might have to change the way we define who is a Turks and Caicos Islander.”

He maintained that diversity is about all of us, stressing that we must find a way to move forward together.

“Yes we are outnumbered but our culture does not have to be in jeopardy because of it,” he said

The speaker of the historic event urged the government and citizens to act strategically over the next 10-15 years to make sure the TCIs culture was not marginalized and to foster ‘social cohesion’.

Lightbourne ended by encouraging the country never to lose sight of McCartney’s hope for the TCI, including ‘servitude and brotherhood’ as well as black power.