We have become a society where enjoyment, parties, and entertainment seem to be more important than anything else. While we celebrate, we close our eyes to the reality confronting us every single day.
And when morning comes, that reality is still there: food is becoming more expensive, transportation remains a problem, people are struggling to pay their bills, families are finding it difficult to make ends meet, and many citizens simply do not know how they will escape the circumstances in which they find themselves.
How did we reach this point? And more importantly, how have we allowed this situation to become normal?
Have we, as a people, lost our sense of priorities? Are we satisfied with parties and appearances while the very foundations of our society continue to crumble?
And where does the government's responsibility fit into all of this?
Sometimes I ask myself whether the lack of pressure from the population gives the government the opportunity to continue governing without being held accountable.
Because a population that is distracted, that does not ask questions, and that does not demand answers is a population that allows others to decide its future.
But this is not just a government problem. It is a problem that concerns all of us as a society.
We must begin asking ourselves some important questions.
What are our priorities as a country?
Are we putting parties and celebrations ahead of the well-being of our families?
Are we demanding solutions to the problems of transportation, food prices, employment, and the rising cost of living?
Are we holding our elected representatives accountable for their actions, or are we simply allowing everything to happen without questioning it?
What kind of Curaçao do we want to leave behind for our children and grandchildren?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying life, attending parties, and celebrating. But we cannot continue celebrating while our country struggles to survive without anyone stopping to ask what is happening.
A society cannot survive on entertainment alone.
A country needs direction, responsibility, justice, and clearly defined priorities.
Curaçao does not belong only to those who govern it. Curaçao belongs to all of us.
The question is: Are we finally going to wake up, or will we continue sleeping while our future is being put at risk?
By Henri Isenia