Briland's future


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Posted by Colin on August 15, 2001 at 13:19:00:

As a reporter I like to stir the pot. As a friend of Briland, I want to hear what Brilanders and their friends think about this.

Briland, in common with much of the Bahamas, is soaking up a great deal of American culture. The songs of the past seem to have dried up, with James and one or two others reviving them occassionally. I find it hard to believe that rap will represent Bahamian life, but I may be old fashioned.

Television isn't a bad thing in and of itself but it does not encourage the communal life that so marks Briland, even today. And so much of the programming is American that I cannot believe it contributes much to the quality of information or quality of life Bahamians enjoy.

While I am glad so many VERY rich people from Australia, Europe and America visit Briland and may own homes on the island, I worry that many of these people contribute less to the life of the island than their somewhat poorer cousins did in years past. I wonder if their greater isolation from Brilanders doesn't generate greater suspicion and resentment. I'm not sure about any of this, but I do worry about the effects these largely American economic and cultural forces are having on Briland and on the Bahamas in general.

And when American booms or does something really stupid (Prohibition, the Civil War), historically the Bahamas benefits. I hope these latest effects are the problems of prosperity.

All that said, I love no place more than Briland, for its lovely people, its quiet, its great physical beauty and its culture.

Let the debate begin!

Colin


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