Wednesday 10 April 2024: Dissent is Democracy
April 10, 2024
It's the week after Easter,slowly awakensslowly awakening from its celebratory haze. The festivities were grand, but now reality looms large, demanding attention. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, there's a palpable sense of inertia, a strange stillness that belies the urgency ofues at hand.
Record-breaking heatwaves cast a stifling blanket over the island, exacerbating the feeling of lethargy. Despite the alarming signs brought on by climate change and other pressing issues, such as rampant real estate development and the dysfunctional state of the tax collector's office, the populace remains eerily passive.
This lack of dissent is not solely attributable to the weather. Fear of political reprisals has long haunted the collective consciousness, but now, exhaustion reigns supreme. People are in survival mode, their focus narrowed to the most basic of needs. Inflation has further eroded the once-vibrant middle class, driving many into poverty. The youth, disillusioned and disheartened, are fleeing the island in droves, leaving behind an aging population struggling to cope with an influx of tourists.
Change is not merely desired; it is imperative. The status quo is unsustainable, a ticking time bomb waiting to detonate. Yet, apathy reigns supreme. The island stands at a crossroads, teetering on the precipice of irreparable decline.
But dissent is the lifeblood of democracy, the catalyst for meaningful change. It is time for the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised to rise above the stifling silence, to demand accountability and action from those in power. The future of the island depends on it.