A chance encounter between two former classmates at a local Roti Hut has unveiled profound disillusionment with the state of Antigua and Barbuda. After two decades apart, the reunion quickly turned into a somber assessment of their homeland’s decline, revealing a pattern of national abandonment by its own citizens.
The conversation exposed a troubling reality: numerous middle-class families from formerly prosperous areas like Villa have completely vanished from the country. These families, who once represented Antigua and Barbuda’s most promising citizens, have relinquished property ownership and severed ties entirely. The authors identify systemic government neglect as the root cause, arguing that Antiguans and Barbudans have been treated as secondary citizens in their own country.
Cultural erosion compounds the problem. Traditional Antiguan dishes like ‘ducana and saltfish’ have become increasingly rare, while neighboring islands proudly maintain their culinary heritage. This cultural disappearance symbolizes a broader loss of national identity.
The government stands accused of prioritizing foreign interests over domestic welfare. Land disputes consistently favor foreign parties or the government itself, while infrastructure needs like reliable electricity, water access, and well-maintained parks remain unaddressed. Recent tariff reductions appear as election-year manipulations rather than genuine concern for citizens’ economic hardship.
The article highlights the paradoxical treatment of different communities: while government officials quickly address concerns of non-national groups following incidents of violence, born Antiguans and Barbudans await meaningful engagement on crime affecting their communities. This differential treatment reinforces the perception that political leaders value foreign votes more than native constituents.
The conclusion presents a stark reality: after six decades of residency, the author feels increasingly marginalized by a government that appears to harbor animosity toward its own people. The fundamental desire to live, work, and thrive in one’s homeland without seeking refuge abroad remains an unfulfilled aspiration for many Antiguans and Barbudans.