Corporate Patriotism....

Head of DOMA Gregory Aboud has put out a call to all citizens to demonstrate patriotism by holding hands and singing the National Anthem and I would not only like to support and congratulate him on his call, I would like to encourage him to go further and demonstrate corporate patriotism and support the call for businesses to contribute a fixed percentage of their earnings every year to the communities within which they operate so as to engender this same feeling of goodwill and love of country throughout the year.

Imagine an environment where all businesses are 'made' to contribute five per cent of their annual income to the redevelopment of the communities in which they operate; not on roads and bridges mind you, but on community centers, sports facilities, learning institutions, music academies and other people developmental initiatives. We live in a country that is barely visible on the map yet despite its diminutive size has given to the world superstars in such a diverse array of disciplines it boggles the mind. And still, in spite of these successes we continue to labor on mindlessly, pausing to celebrate successes when they occur without contributing to their development in any meaningful way. Brazil produces possibly the best footballers in the world because you can play football in Brazil 24 hours a day. How many Dwight Yorkes would we produce if this was so here? What could be the impact on the local fashion industry if we had a Jimmy Aboud Memorial Fashion Academy founded and funded by his legacy? Or the impact on Carnival if all mas bands operating in Woodbrook and environs were made to contribute to a Peter Minshall School of Mas? If the magic behind the Machel Montano show Kernel Roberts is the product of Lord Kitchener, then why aren't we building numerous performing arts schools named for the same Kitchener, Sparrow and even Beryl McBurnie funded by business and used to mould and channel the energies of our exuberantly talented youth?

Forget patriotism and national pride for a second and get down to real economics; the savings to companies in security and advertising alone would be more than worth the contribution as no one would be allowed to 'touch' a business that supports the community they operate in, and how much more 'top of mind' could you get than a mother sitting in a park provided and maintained by the supermarket chain she shops at? With a contributory 'business community redevelopment fund' available to boards made up of representatives of the same business community, the home owners and the arts, education and sporting fraternities, places like Diego Martin, San Juan, Laventille, Curepe, Newtown, Chaguanas and downtown Port of Spain would experience a renewal from the ground up and even a gentrification where families could be encouraged to return and re-establish neighborhoods where desolation and squalor now stand. The provision of numerous lit football, hockey, basketball and cricket fields within depressed communities would do more to reduce gang membership and violence than any policing or legislation ever could, and organizations like the Jericho Project could benefit from support for its Second Chance initiative that wants to remove the homeless from the nation's streets and redevelop them into full contributing members of society.

I remember noting that when the Kirpalani Roundabout was renamed it effectively put an end to the legacy of one of the greatest captains of industry and commerce this country has ever known, and along with names like Motilal Moonan, Francis Hadeed, Boland Amar, Sydney Knox and even Jimmy Aboud, it is a shame and a disgrace that nothing is done to constructively remind future generations of these and other pioneers.

There is a saying – 'When the people lead the leaders will follow,' and I daresay this is an excellent opportunity for us all to win. I would like to call on all Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturers Associations, Hotel and Tourism Association and any and all other commercial bodies to support this initiative not just for one song on one day, but to demonstrate real and meaningful patriotism that will redound to the greatest return on investment for the largest number of people all the year through.