If you are wondering why Cyprus is currently so dusty, it's because the rugs of deceit are being lifted and new indiscretions are no longer being allowed to be swept under them!
On the one hand, it is horrible to hear of some new scandal, attempted cover-up, corruption story or exposé every day, and it suddenly makes Cyprus appear to have changed overnight from a charming little isle of warm welcomes, into one big ghetto. But on the other hand, it shows us that all is not lost, and that positive changes can happen even after a long time of ingrained habits.
I have said this before and I won't stop repeating it; Cyprus is no worse than any other country, but due to its size, things can appear worse, or more magnified. And now with the added element of things coming to the surface and those darn dusty rugs being rolled up, it can seem even more hopeless or corrupt. But it has always been that way, since the illegitimate children of village affairs decades ago, to the modern denials that issues like anorexia, bullying and mental disabilities actually exist.
For a very long time, an accepted blanket of silence and a policy of 'we don't talk about these things' prevailed – probably because it was an island of neighbourhoods. Since the financial crisis that brought us to our knees, people have suddenly had the veil lifted, and this abrupt awakening has quickly spread from wanting answers regarding the role of bankers in our downfall, to realising that in every corner of society there is an elephant in the room.
So far, we have seen videos of police brutality emerge; scandals of the powerful or rich keeping their power or wealth through unscrupulous means; people in authority – ala sewerage boards and municipalities – breaking the trust of their positions in the worse ways; reports of rape, abuse and paedophilia coming out of the woodwork like teaming swarms of cockroaches, and so much more.
These are awful things to happen, but the fact they are coming out is good, for it means we have finally entered the Era of Accountability and Transparency. Yes, it is still in its infancy, and knowing us, it could be a long time before baby steps turn into big strides, but we have reached this point at long last. And it is not going to be a pleasant journey. For some, the 'ignorance is bliss' policy will actually be more preferable than having to face new painful revelations on a daily basis.
For me personally, the area of child safety and wellbeing is my main concern, and I feel utterly sick to the stomach when new cases of child abuse come to light – I desperately want to still feel that my island is the right place to raise my children. And this unease is especially ripe right now as my son prepares to start the first year of state primary school, and I am hearing from mothers everywhere that there is a serious issue of bullying – right from year 1. The horror stories of what so and so's neighbour's daughter went through, or a cousin's son's best friend did are shocking to say the least.
Maybe, if we tackle the 'unspoken' problems from the early years and get issues like bullying, drug abuse and the like under control, then we won't see so many of the next generation becoming the kind of adults who abuse their power, chase wealth at any expense and target the innocence of children. And that really is something to get 'dusty' over.
First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly, 28/08/15
