#BTColumn – Practise what you preach

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

by Jade Gibbons

A well-known saying goes ‘do what I say, not what I do.’ This saying is so infected with hypocrisy that rarely does the person at whom it is aimed ever comply.

It reminds me of something Christ said to his followers before chiding the scribes and Pharisees. He said: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach.”

The irony in this is that Christ acknowledges the authority of the scribes and Pharisees by comparing them to Moses while highlighting their utter inadequacy and incompetence.

Moses was a prince of Egypt, a husband and a father, a shepherd, a political and military leader and a priest and prophet of God. Yet, he was also dubbed the meekest man on the earth.

Oftentimes those who are more advanced in years are eager to lobby condemnation and criticism on the youth. ‘The youth should be less aggressive.

The youth should be more polite. The youth should be more industrious. The youth should be more respectful.’

The irony is that oftentimes the ones who preach this the loudest, practise it the least. I find the hypocrisy hilarious. How can the youth be respectful if no one ever shows them what respectful behaviour looks like?

How can the youth be more industrious when those with capital are unwilling to pay them for their goods and services? Why should the youth be polite in the face of incivility? Why should the youth be passive in the face of belligerence?

Please note that I am not saying that peaceableness, politeness, industriousness, and respectfulness are bad qualities. On the contrary, these are virtues that all people should strive towards, regardless of their age.

What I am saying however, is that if you sit in a seat of authority you should pattern these for those under you.

Our court pages are riddled with the accounts of crimes committed by persons under 35. While our front pages are marred by the crimes committed by those over 45.

Recently a seasoned attorney commented on the fact that despite the high number of complaints against young attorneys, more frequently it is the older attorneys who commit acts of fraud and theft.

The sad truth is that this is not a unique feature of the legal profession. In most industries, it is more frequently those in senior positions who abuse their power to commit criminal acts.

The irony is that these same individuals are the ones who use the platform afforded to them by their prominence to comment on the need for innovation, creativity and ingenuity in their sectors in order to promote growth and sustainability.

I find it hilarious when they spout the same rhetoric when addressing the need to develop new industries. Because it is here that their practices kill their lofty ambitions.

The knowledge and skills needed to build the green and orange economies lie with the youth.

The capital needed to fund the development of the renewable energy and creative sectors lie with those advanced in years. Unfortunately, it is the practices of those over 45 that inhibit the development and growth of the ventures undertaken by those under 35.

There is a truth that those more advanced in years keep saying. “The youth of today have different morals than we did when we were young.” Yet you are not afraid and do not see the need to change your ways? You, my grey-haired elders, are the ones who raised the youth of today. You, my past-prime pundits, are the ones who crafted the identity that the youth inhabit.

You, my affluent soon-to-be retirees, are the ones whose legacy the youth aspire to eclipse. So, when you see the increase in crime, the over aggression and the refusal to be silenced, know that your children simply emulate your actions.

If you want to change the actions of the youth, you must first change yours.

Rather than preach what you refuse to practise, try practising what you preach. And if you are unsure of what that looks like, then examine the life of Moses. Or better yet, emulate the life of Christ.

Jade Gibbons is an arts and business graduate with a keen interest in social issues and film-making.