Two Conflicting Terms

 

The English Language is fraught

With conflicting terms

And there are two in particular

That in my mind burn.

 

Not in the sense

I did not notice them before

But rather the fact

They are being used more.

 

Let me give a few examples

Regarding some conflicting terms,

That the context is critical

We should also learn.

 

Grade is to level but also an incline

Show or hide is screen based on time,

Fix is to restore but also to castrate

Like a house or deny a dog a mate.

 

Clip may mean fasten or detach

Bolt is secure or a horse hard to catch,

Dusting is to add tiny particles to solve a crime

Or remove particles so an item may shine.

 

These are six examples

According to my count

And outside of a contextual analysis,

Confusion will amount.

 

And now to the two

That are rife these days,

They are sanction and sellout

And both are about trade.

 

Let’s start with sanction

But before you sanction me,

I’d rather have your approval

Than your animosity.

 

 

 

Thus, sanction can be positive

Or it can be negative too,

It may be a form of approval

Or of a punitive view.

 

NIFCA sanctioned an item

That was distasteful in their view

And at the same time gave sanction

To the LGBTQ.

 

This minority grouping

Punches far above its weight

And any criticism of it whatsoever

Is seen as one of hate.

 

You can say whatever you like

About my lifestyle and me

But if you risk it with this minority

You are sanctioned invariably.

 

Freedom of expression

Is being taken from some

But for others right here in Barbados

There’s no limit to their run.

 

Sanction is to give them approval

While for others it is not,

Permission is cruelly withdrawn

And sanction is their lot.

 

Sanction has trickled down

From big country to small:

Local, regional and international

But this is not all.

 

It is a controlling agent

Used to subjugate subordinates

Whether real or perceived

But sanctioned at any rate.

 

This brings us to the next term

Which by trade is also connected,

The positive we will definitely take

But the negative will be rejected.

 

 

With the threat of sanctions

Sellout may be the course taken,

It is what Judas Iscariot did

And then bypassed being forgiven.

 

He went out, the Bible says,

And hang himself,

Similar to what sellout juxtaposes

Regarding economic health.

 

Signing on to an agreement

That has not been properly thought out

Is nothing short, in my opinion,

Than a national sellout.

 

 

Even if it is a trade agreement

But it will cost you your soul,

It’s better to look again before leaping

And losing control.

 

A sellout of this nature

Constitutes a negative sellout

And the lure that is used to attract

Must be never in doubt.

 

 

Sellout can be positive

And this kind should be the goal,

For of course, it is not the kind

That will cost your soul.

 

I see people on the highway

Plying their trade,

Especially in these hard times

Sellout is the way…

 

To feed their families

And to educate them too,

Wouldn’t you want that sellout?

Tell me, won’t you?

 

The cane farmer and his canes

And the farmer and his crops-

Wouldn’t it be good if we buy local

So sellout can be their lot?

 

This is a far better sellout

Than the sellout of country

That is likely to happen to Barbados

If we don’t act speedily.

 

Stewart Russell © November 22, 2023