My Thoughts on The Golden Rule

This past week, I chatted with my friend and colleague, Dr. Dierdra Wheatley-Peters, about some of the different challenges that we faced. During the conversation, Dierdra said that life would be better if we abided by the Golden Rule. I smiled and thought it would be something nice to share. Also, I needed something to share with the youth for Youth Sunday, so I felt it would be an appropriate topic.

As I hung laundry one morning, I thought more about the Golden Rule, and I decided to present the topic in threes. I took this approach to keep the presentation concise while giving information that could be useful and relatable. I researched three (3) areas and highlighted three (3) points on applying the Golden Rule in everyday life.

What is the Golden Rule? It simply is that we should treat people the way we want to be treated. Aiming to live by the Golden Rule helps us to become:

1. humble,
2. concerned, and
3. compassionate.

We express our feelings about the Golden Rule in different ways when situations develop. In the Caribbean, we have fables and sayings which depict how we should deal with moral dilemmas. I share these examples of common sayings:

1. Do so, don’t like so
2. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes
3. Don’t give what you can’t take

Three Scriptures
I found scriptures that also promote the Golden Rule concept, which persons who follow Christianity would know. The Bible provides many references to sacrifice, humility, helping others, and sharing, and these should encourage us to be empathetic and considerate. These scriptures embody the Golden Rule:

1. Matthew 7:12 NRSV: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
2. Leviticus 19:34 KJV: But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
3. Luke 6:31 NRSV: Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Three Examples
Many times we read scriptures, textbooks, and self-help books and get lost in the vocabulary. Therefore, I wanted to highlight how we can remain embody the Golden Rule in everyday life for thee young people:

1. In the home – don’t leave your dirty dishes behind for someone else to clean
2. In school – if you are doing a group project, pull your weight
3. In the community – don’t litter

I shared this prayer:
Dear God, we thank you for sparing our lives and enabling us to come together as a church family. We ask for your mercies on our young people. Please protect and guide them as they continue to blossom into future leaders in the church and community. Please bless their home circles, their church family, their respective schools, and organizations that they are involved in. Help them to live by the Golden Rule and help us as adults to lead by example as well. This we ask in your name. AMEN

BVI 2021 Qua-Rap-Tine Battle - Round 1 Round-Up

Last year, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports hosted the first-ever Qua-rap-tine Battle, which featured several talented local artistes. The 2020 winner was Banco Bizmol, who recently launched his EP, Route 88.

The 2021 Battle includes some of the top contenders from last year, and some new voices. Last year, we heard from four of the current competitors - Thunder, Ron-G, Buggz, and Silencer. The other eight (8) rappers included Elbbz, Deh Flippaz, Pun G, Vizion, Royston Warner, Shawndehrapper, the 2020 Stop the Violence Rap Battle winner, Dizzy and Dink Dawg. Unlike the 2020 Battle, we had no female rappers participating.

The twelve contenders had their first battle on Friday, April 30, 2021, via Facebook Live. Masa Pasa hosted the event and kept it flowing. The rappers battled as follows:

• Ron-G against Elbbz
• Thunder versus Deh Flippaz
• Pun G against Vizion
• Silencer versus Buggz
• Royston Warner against Shawndehrapper
• Dizzy versus Dink Dawg

I must say a big shout out to the judges:

• PNDRN (P-Nut Den Real Nut), a rapper from St. Croix, USVI
• Monéa, an artiste from the BVI;
• Celeb Press Da Button (PDB), a musical engineer from the BVI

I watched the event and was amazed by the lyrical prowess and techniques exhibited by the contestants. They all performed on the same instrumental, with each person showcasing his unique style.


Shawndehrapper vs. Royston Warner
Shawndehrapper was the first contestant to perform and his opening line was, "Who pick this line-up? Give me a challenge like Buggz, the next runner-up, can't give me old food and expect me to come up." Royston Warner received favorable comments from the judges, but his audio was somewhat unclear. The judges unanimously selected Shawndehrapper as the winner.

Ron-G vs. Elbbz
A sample of Elbbz's lyrics is "I got dollars, meen see change yet, make it rain, that's a figure of speech." Ron-G responded with a performance which exhibited his ability to flow in different ways. He rapped, "This the first round, and I'm going to run like an athlete, pack the heat, you're about to be a victim of lyrical mastery." Ron-G was selected by all the judges to move forward to the next round.

Dizzy vs. Dink Dawg
Dizzy came with lyrics, "From the birth as a young-un, I came from the bottom, driving to the top, I bout to win this competition." However, Dink Dawg came back with, "Heading to the top, ain't no one can stop me, your verse gotta sound real hard just to top me." The judges all agreed that Dink Dawg won the battle.

Silencer vs. Buggz
Silencer used a bug spray can as his prop and in a play on words against Buggz when he rapped, "you see in my house, bugs get sprayed." Buggz retorted with, "I don't class with mediocre characters, I is the big dog come to babysit amateurs, in this rap game, I'm considered a connoisseur." Two judges, PNDRN and PDB, selected Buggz, while Monéa was undecided. However, Buggz moved forward to the next round.

Pun G vs. Vizion
Vizion rapped "I respect the beat but I'm gonna commit a murder and make him rest in peace." He also added a bad of bread as a prop. Pun G gave us "You ain't even know about that mission, because you ain't a boss, you ain't ever see that vision," playing on Vizion's rap name. The three (3) judges selected Pun-G to move forward.

Thunder vs. Deh Flippaz
Deh Flippaz versus Thunder was the final battle. Thunder opened his performance with, "Ladies and gentlemen, hurry up and get settled in, bout to have a competition to see who's the best again, there should be no comparison cause I am a veteran, I'm filled with adrenalin." However, Deh Flippaz answered with, "you hearing the Thunder but no I haven't seen he, Duck Duck Goose, o man look he there in the beanie, you belong on the TV, cause you is a character, in this rap game, you's a amateur." The judges unanimously selected Deh Flippaz.

I want to commend all the rappers for the presentation, time, delivery, confidence, and courage. Take the comments from the judges and continue to hone your craft. The rappers will compete in the next round as follows:

• Shawndehrapper vs. Dink Dawg
• Deh Flippaz vs. Ron-G
• Pun G vs. Buggz

I would also like to show some appreciation for the team at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports for their ingenuity and dedication to supporting youth development.

Poem: Not Angry

Not angry
Just antsy
Not fancy
Not classy
but not trashy
I fancy the simple things
not wine and diamond rings
because those things

don't catch my attention

and are no where near my intentions
I don't want no more hurt 

in my soul
cause I am not a hole in one
or one who's gone
just a little troubled
like bubble
gum in my hair
so don't stare
and don't fear
and don't dare
me to erupt
cause the ashes
of my heart will
suffocate and
deteriorate
any off beat in my path
because the road
I travel is pot-holed
broken and not paved
and I don't save
the pain for gain
cause it would leave me
insane

© Linette Rabsatt

Ten Things to Consider When Making Decisions

When you need to make a decision, you have to weigh out the positives and the negatives. What influences the option you choose? Everyone faces tough choices. Sometimes you have lots of time to think about the surrounding factors, but sometimes you have to make snap decisions. I find it stressful when you have to consider the needs of other people. Imagine being a manager in these COVID-19 times and having to cut staff. Outside of the pandemic, everyday life can be challenging. Prices have increased while our salaries have not. Therefore, some families have to balance the costs of food, shelter, and utilities. I have had my days when I say, "Screw it, I'm buying it." I have also hesitated and not made purchases. 

I do not have a foolproof plan. Some days, we have to live and enjoy the little we can afford. Of course, I would never encourage anyone to go beyond their means. When you destroy your credit, it hampers your purchasing and borrowing power. You also do not want to damage relationships with family and friends because you borrow money from them. 

I am sharing some encouragement for when we face tough decisions:

1. "It is what it is." If something has happened, do not focus on the reasons. Instead, look for solutions.
2. Regardless of what you do, something else will go wrong. We can not control life. Accept that there will be challenges.
3. Aim for win-win. In other words, think positively. Do your best. You can only control what is within your reach. Do what you can in the best way that you can.
4. You can not please everyone.  Even though you aim for a win-win situation, this will not always be the case. 
5. Ask for advice. Sometimes, you have to seek other opinions. Sometimes, you need professional help. If you do not know, ask someone.
6. When you have time before making a big decision, create a pros and cons list. 
7. Do your research and compare your options.
8. Pray and meditate. Tap into your spirituality for guidance and inspiration.
9. Make a snap decision. Some choices call for a quick reaction.
10. Recognize when you have made a poor decision. Learn from it and try not to repeat that mistake.

All the best!

Ribbon

POEM: A Time to Vent

if you check the environment
you may wonder where everything went
when there is no vent
or a timer of how time was spent
or how many backs were bent
and what feats they saw invent
but in the present
we may say it's nonsense
it's past tense
because we may want to do more to prevent
a break in the crescent
an uproar in the convent
not saying anything indecent
or words that you can resent
but things you hold in sentiment
not feelings that you rent
or things that you hold pent
or haughty moves like the prominent
instead think like your words are lent
and of course don't be violent
because disembodiment
isn't part of the event
your heart just needs to be present

©Linette Rabsatt

POEM: Drive

You have to have drive
to survive
to stay alive
to thrive
but remember
there are times when
you will sigh
and you may even cry
your eyes dry
but don't run and don't fly
off the handle
or break your bangles
so that you end up tangled
in a web you can't get out of
instead focus your love
focus your mind
focus your energy
and find that synergy
because you can be successful
and everything you touch
can be plentiful
you just have to start
with being hopeful

© Linette Rabsatt
Ribbon

Progression or Regression in Our Corner of the World

I often question how or why we have lost some values. People often blame outside influences and immigration for any change in the culture. However, we need to look more closely at ourselves. I remember growing up hearing about our 99% literacy rate. Today, I often hear about the former excellence and efficiency of the public service and certain private businesses. I even remember one time when there was a 98% passing rate for senior school students.

We have had many updates to our education system, several versions of transformation in the public service and the private sector. We established a constitution in 2007. This country flourished financially, and many people benefited by attaining higher education, land, and higher living standards.

Yet today, I remain concerned about the youths who struggle in school, the young people who may never be able to purchase land or build a home, and the parents who cannot meet their obligations. You cannot help but be concerned when we boast of a passing and literacy rate, high salaries, and bountiful real estate and financial services industries. However, a segment of the populace continues to struggle.

Where have we missed the mark? The cost of living in the territory frightens us. The minimum wage increased from $4 to $6 in October 2016. However, prices rise constantly. Land that people sold for $25K now sells for $85K. People can barely afford to buy fruits in the supermarket, and anything health-related is most unaffordable.

It seems that while we progressed as a country, we regressed as a people. The improvements and transformations made us feel like we achieved feats. I am not discounting the tremendous developments such as Social Security, technological advancements, e-services, or the community college.

However, the past and recent crimes show us that we have real issues that we must address. A review of the working population also highlights other concerns about brain drain and upskilling the local workforce. Homeownership would also be another relevant statistic that needs reviewing.

I think we have ignored less fortunate persons and persons suffering from mental health illnesses. We have introduced an insurance scheme which is not sustainable. The government pension structure is not sustainable, and we have not pushed for a national pension strategy for all workers. We have come a long way, but we have much more to reach for and address so that our country can grow sustainably for the next generation.

I am not politically driven, nor do I mean to thrash any past or present leaders. However, we must challenge ourselves to improve our situation and surroundings. We must work feverishly to ensure that we leave a legacy that our generations can maintain and improve. I challenge everyone to look at their situations and see how they can contribute to improving the BVI.

You do not have to be a national scholar or laureate to influence change. You just have to be willing to stand up, sacrifice, and speak up. Encourage positive change in your church, workplace, home, and community.