It is up to US, Caribbeans, to forge a way for ourselves. We could start with refusing to inhale American/Western culture – what about loving, developing and promoting our own? Whatever society promotes is what it gets….Do we want the level of violence, greed and selfishness that is so encrusted as part of the American psyche?

What of maximising the use of Diaspora members’ skills and abilities. Remember that not only those with PhDs have something to contribute. All types are needed in the fight. Us DOERS are rarely called into service – other than for donations. To hell with donations!

I feel ashamed every time my Prime Minister begs yet another nation for money and grins about the crumbs he’s given.

I would caution against members of the Diaspora rushing to support governments as we are not aware of all facts : who is pulling their strings? They seem to still have their nails dug into their “Master’s” leg…… while the Western powers keep them there (for the odd occasion when they need something from them) they’re still clinging on …. with that every-present grin. Struth…

Where are the groups who are DOERS – not just talkers? What are they doing and more importantly – what do they need to do better?

I’m willing to help.

All of the Caribbean news media mentioned the recent conference in Washington, however the US media hardly gave the subject any reference.

For most Americans the Caribbean is simply a place to vacation in the sun, and I am often amazed that many consider each island basically the same. The media hardly ever mentions Caribbean issues, and many Americans would be surprised to know about Washington’s lack of understanding and foreign policy towards the regions of the Caribbean.

The US government officials has done little or nothing in regards to promoting trade with the Caribbean region, and dealing with serious issues such as poverty, environmental concerns, and alternative energy policies. In fact most of the US policies have been a disaster for the region, including the recent passport fiasco which has caused a drop in tourism.

If the Caribbean leaders want cooporation from this current government in Washington, talking and meeting about the regions problems will gain little or nothing. A better recourse would be to let Washington know that they have votes at the UN and OAS, and if Washington gives them what they want, they will vote in turn for US policies.

Caribbean summits happen yearly, but there is rarely an agenda or plan of action that comes out of it. It is the entrepreneurs and activists who are beginning to help the Caribbean do what it has always been able to do for itself. One Canadian entrepreneur who offered to donate one $1 Million dollars in medical supplies to Haiti put the sentiment well. “I’m not here to talk, and I don’t want any crap,” he said. I’m here to get this done.”

For me, the event reinforced for me the importance of these virtual spaces we’ve created for sharing the ideas, intellect that have sustained many of our Caribbean countries. It convinced me that the best help those of us in the “Diaspora” community can offer is to lend resources to strengthening these very communication channels and the collective action they can ultimately promote. We need to keep listening to each other, outside of the space of formal discourse, and tapping into our collective wellspring of ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.

The United States obviously does what is best for its citizens and rightly so but Caricom can also be powerful if we negotiate as a group and not individual countries.

We must do what is best for the region as a whole and therein lies the problem. West Indians have to really become emancipated and look at the bigger picture.

I think we can do it, does anybody else?