Crabs in a Barrel

True I am a Caribbean lady; but that doesn’t mean I know how to fend off crabs pinching and running towards me in action! And that’s exactly what happened 2 days ago as my parents and I discovered that one of the crabs our neighbour was so kind to bring for us made its way somehow OUT of the barrel. A wonderful and tasty dish in Trinidad & Tobago is called: ‘Crab and Callaloo’; and in order to have the crab in the callaloo; well, you’ve got to have some crabs in the mix!

For those who don’t know, crabs can actually crawl and stand on other crab’s backs to make their way to the top and ultimately out of the barrel. Just as crabs do this, it is said that humans tend to have this trait also. They use others to get to the top and then they forget their brothers and sisters who helped them to get there; once they’ve gotten to their destination, they never even look back! We don’t help, encourage or stimulate others that wish also to get to the top of that barrel. Why is this? Why are we set on disallowing others to enjoy and see what it is we also see?

We see this dilemma over and over again; why must we accept what the masses do for the norm, when we know it doesn’t feel right? Have we no conscience at all?! Will we not stand for the truth and uplift our own! Would you rather rise above your people and watch them wither away and die, unable to grasp the vast secrets and blessings of the Universe?

Now that brings me to another golden issue hidden within the ‘crabs in the barrel’. When this ‘crab’ finally does make it; sometimes the other crabs speak harshly about the one crab’s success. They claw at it and try to bring it back down; unable to understand why the crab sacrificed to make positive changes, not only for him/her but for all. In Trinidad & Tobago as well as other Caribbean islands – I can safely say that we certainly have a growing ‘brain-drain’ quandary; as more and more young people are exploring tertiary-level education elsewhere and after graduating, begin securing good quality jobs in their field. Staying seems more pleasing, as they are given benefits they can’t refuse and they enjoy conveniences and appreciation they may not rapidly receive at home.

Yes, I should not have run in the other direction when the crab stood in his gangster  pose with his claws in the air; but just because I may be afraid of a gangster crab doesn’t mean I’ve lost my Caribbean roots/heritage. Tis’ true, many are not given the privilege to study or visit neighbouring countries; but the positive things we learn overseas, we should bring back to harvest and nurture our peers and young countries. Work ethic, higher self-esteem, team-work are virtues we all can pass along. The only way we can pass this along though is to celebrate in victory and to show appreciation and love, to accomplishment, but also in allowing others to grow with you! J