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Never since regaining independence in 1979 have Saint Lucians been so united in one moment, one milestone.
Yes, we have celebrated other firsts, anniversaries, even Nobel Prizes. But this is different. It is truly global, real-time, and therefore our greatest shared moment ever. This is more than just sporting brilliance. This is about identity.
Just as Walcott opened doors for Saint Lucian poets, Julian Alfred broke the ceiling for athletes, young people and all Saint Lucians who aspired to be the best.
We know that we are not paying her full attention until she delights us all. So let us not do the easy thing, as we usually do, and take all of Julian’s glory for ourselves. Even in our delight, let us remain aware of her long and lonely journey to the summit.
Now, we can thank Julian for her unique achievement that can make a radical difference for other aspiring athletes, artists, and inspired innovators who dream big, seek help, and hope to find a friendly door.
The fact is, there are still too few doors and too few people willing to open them. Imagine what we could achieve without the petty prejudices, the tyranny of politics, and the incompetent gatekeepers who are as useless as boulders in the road.
Julian’s shooting star arc speaks to so much of the history that has brought us here: the ideals of freedom, the fight for rights, the fight for justice, the fight for opportunity and autonomy, our ongoing search for the courage to truly support our champions, to respect our women, and to love each other as ourselves.
If we could understand that dreamers don’t conform, dreamers don’t pander, we would have so many gold medalists around us. Heroes shouldn’t be brought to their knees and beg. It breaks their spirit, and that’s the genius they need to break, disrupt, and challenge the bland status quo.
With a little leadership, we can harness this brave new success mentality. We can consciously choose growth over complacency. We can transform into a nation that embraces new ideas and new energy, rather than frustrates those brave enough to think beyond borders, brave enough to survive on a small island.
Stop the idle distraction. What our country needs right now is serious soul-searching. Critical thinking. Sustained action. Fundamental change with a long-term goal in mind. And to do that, we’ll need more than just a brief holiday celebration.
This glorious moment requires all of us to make a profound personal decision to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the upcoming marathon, to be unafraid of discipline and sacrifice, as our country strives to achieve more than this first Olympic gold medal. When Julian Alfred returns to receive a hero’s welcome, will she find that we are ready…?
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