{"id":240262,"date":"2025-06-13T07:38:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T11:38:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=240262"},"modified":"2025-06-13T07:38:53","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T11:38:53","slug":"together-we-rise-confronting-the-culture-of-division","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/together-we-rise-confronting-the-culture-of-division\/","title":{"rendered":"Together We Rise: Confronting the Culture of Division."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Together We Rise: Confronting the Culture of Division.<\/strong><\/p>

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By Garfield Joseph<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a saying that \u201cmany hands make light work,\u201d yet in Antigua and Barbuda, and even among our diaspora in places like New York, Florida and Georgia, we often find ourselves working in silos\u2014distrustful, divided, and disengaged from one another. Meanwhile, we watch as other nationalities\u2014Jamaicans, Guyanese, Dominicans\u2014come together, support each other\u2019s businesses, and build thriving communities both at home and abroad. Why is it so hard for us to do the same?<\/p>

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This article is not about blame. It\u2019s about reflection. It\u2019s about understanding the motivations behind our behaviours\u2014both positive and negative\u2014and choosing a better path forward.<\/p>

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The Heart of the Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, \u201cThe heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?\u201d<\/em> This verse speaks to the root of many of our struggles. Our behaviours\u2014how we treat one another, how we speak about each other, how we support or sabotage\u2014are often driven by the condition of our hearts.<\/p>

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We forget the biblical imperative found in Matthew 7:12: \u201cDo unto others as you would have them do unto you.\u201d<\/em> Instead of lifting each other up, we tear each other down. Instead of celebrating each other\u2019s successes, we criticize, gossip, and complain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Behaviour: Positive vs. Negative<\/strong><\/p>

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Positive behaviour<\/strong> is any action that builds up, encourages, and promotes unity. It includes:<\/p>

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