Often one wonders to themselves how did they get involved in certain circumstances.

Was it happenstance?

Was it peer pressure?

Was it family influence?

Was it a combination of all of the above?

Being born into the close- knit families and communities of “back of town”, one literally had no choice but to grow up under the heavy manners of our parents, grandparents and literally every neighbour.

Compounding the grooming would be that almost everyone from “back of town” is of West Indian decent, specifically the islands of Saint Kitts & Nevis and Jamaica. This social DNA demanded that helping others was not an option; it was, and is, a part of our daily routine.

For some strange reason, there were those who thought that they could demean or belittle persons of West Indian origin and get away with it. They soon learnt that there was a league of persons led by women that simply would not bow down to discrimination.

Leading the charge were persons such as, but not limited to:

• Hazel Christopher

• Choy Aming

• June Famous

• Shurnette Caines

These persons and others commanded respect in any area of life that they ventured into — whether it was in personal, professional or social circles.

Perhaps more importantly, they demanded that their children seek to raise the bar of self-development and service to others.

As children of these persons, our generation, related by West Indian bloodlines, simply had no choice but to put ourselves forward in various community organisations such as, but not limited to:

• Sororities

• Fraternities

• Church organisations

• The Royal Bermuda Regiment

• Community clubs

So, in the year 2017, we see the fulfilment of the parents’ grooming coming to fruition in the form of political candidacy.

It was with great pride that I saw my cousin, Wayne Michael Caines, take on the responsibility of representing the people of Bermuda in the political arena. Having established himself and others in both legal and corporate circles, it was only a matter of time before he had no choice but to take the next step to become an elected MP.

It is the same great pride shown in how he is embraced by, and engages with, Bermudians in their homes and in the streets of our country. His passion for opening doors for our people seems boundless. I wonder at times where does he get it from.

Then I have to look no farther than his parents, Michael and Shurnette Caines. Uncle Michael being the quiet strategist, and Aunt Shurnette on the front lines ensuring, in her own way, that things go the way that they should go.

Indeed, this is the combination that makes Wayne Michael Caines the person that he is.

Indeed, this is the community spirit that makes most of the people from “back of town” who we are.

Indeed, we had no choice but to put ourselves forward to serve others.

Indeed, this is our destiny.

Christopher Famous is a Progressive Labour Party organiser and a newly minted candidate for Devonshire East (Constituency 11) in the upcoming General Election. He can be reached on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or via e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com