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You must make the change you would like to see

August 22nd, 2019 | Tags: Lorna M. George Change love respect Transformation
Lorna M. George. Photo: VINO/File
Lorna M. George

When I attended Tuskegee University, I was a member of the Student Alumni Association. At the beginning of December the association would organise an annual ceremony called the lighting of the Christmas tree. In this ceremony the president of the university would light the Christmas tree which was placed in the campus chapel.

During the ceremony a member of the Alumni Association would gave a short speech then present the tree to the president who would light the tree to the applause of the audience. In 1983 I was the first International student given the honour to present the Christmas tree to the president of the University.  

An honour like this was very humbling. Coming from a small Island like the [British] Virgin Islands and having the opportunity to attend a historically Black University with the second ranking Veterinary School after Yale University in America, I felt truly blessed to attend this University on a Government Scholarship. I was very much a part of the Tuskegee University family and as the secretary to the International Association, I was very much recognised as a student leader as my other colleagues and peers.

Many Universities encouraged their student to get involved in leadership position on campus because it helps groom students for leadership positions in their home countries. As a small society, our country is in desperate need of leadership among the young people. As young people it is upon us to provide the leadership we want to see. My desire is to find my place and do my part.

I graduated in 1984 with a BS degree in Medical Technology, and I was the recipient of the Director’s Award for coming first in my professional class. My director told me that my name was first on the list for when the recruiters came. I proudly said, “I am definitely going back home.”

Today I stand unwavering with resolute confidence in Jehovah and my own ability to make a meaning full contribution to my beloved country. My uncle H. Lavity Stoutt, the first Chief Minister of the Virgin Islands, would say to me once, would say to me twice,” Lorna love your country.”

My only ambition is to be an agent of change in my society. Our country is in dire need of moral leadership, and there is a great need for love, fairness, integrity, loyalty and justice. Someone must provide the moral leadership that our country needs. Dr Martin Luther Jr was not a political leader; he was a moral leader. Instead of cursing the darkness it is better to light a candle so all can see. It is us the young college and university educated ones who have to make the change we would like to see. If we young [British] Virgin Islanders band together we would be a force to reckon with. Together we are strong. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. Together we stand and divided we fall. Young Virgin Islanders I can assure you that ignorance cannot beat education.

We the young British Virgin Islanders must not fill our hearts with jealousy, bitterness, vindictiveness like the older generation. There should be no in-fighting among us as was adopted as a way of life for the previous generations. We the young Virgin Islanders must love and appreciate each other. We must not be jealous of each other because God has given each of us talents and abilities for His glory. He has given some one, two, or three talents etc. Many of us are not as multi-talented and resourceful as my Senior Administrative Officer, Jermaine Barry; some people are just the exceptional. We are all [British] Virgin Islanders and no one is better than another.

Young Virgin Islanders we must follow our own God given paths and fulfill our destiny no matter how humble. Brothers and sisters God has endowed us with the ability to love and to be love and cherish. A college education does not make us more superior to our peers or colleagues who were not fortunate to go to college or did not see the need to go to University.  Not everyone is academically inclined. Young Virgin Islanders we are one family; as the Good Book says,” Let us be loving, kind and tender hearted to one another.

In conclusion, In order for us to change the transformation must take place in our minds. We must change the way we think and our behaviour will follow. When God lifts you up, he elevates you up in your mind. My strength is your strength. In the popular song – “Lean on me when you are not strong, and I’ll be your friend; we all need somebody to lean on.” I need you and you need me. No man is an island to himself. In the words of former US President Barack H. Obama, we show our strength not by pushing someone down but by lifting him/her up.

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