Yet another time members of the community have gotten together to bring attention to the scourge of violence that has been plaguing our island home. Many persons (including myself) who have been involved in such efforts in the past were perhaps less than enthusiastic about the value of an island-wide motorcade, and a church service, to the eradication of youth on youth violence in our communities. Our response to these situations on our island has been “on again, off again”. The activism has not been sustained and no strategic plan of action has been adopted or implemented to address this issue. However, we cannot afford to ignore any effort that is being staged in our community on this issue especially when it comes from civil society and the Church. Such groups and institutions accentuate the essence of the issue, namely, that it must be dealt with void of party politics and as a matter requiring urgent national attention. It is for these reasons that I felt obliged to participate in both events — and I am glad I did.
I must especially congratulate the organizers of the island-wide motorcade under the theme “Give peace a chance!” It is exactly the message that needs to be communicated to everyone in our community. It holds good for the perpetrators, the victims, their families, leaders, and all residents of Anguilla. The “whistle stops” along the course of the motorcade were both effective and efficient. All the prayer-leaders and speakers were on message. Had the entire event been rehearsed, or had a longer planning window, it could not have been better presented. And most importantly even though, as one speaker suggested, it may have been like “preaching to the choir”, there was a definite aura of sincerity and commitment among the participants, that suggested that this could be the beginning of something positive — something that would make a difference among our young people.
The service at Maranatha Methodist Church in Blowing Point, for the most part, continued the message of reconciliation. Given that it took place in the heart of the recently affected community, it was to be expected that there would be occasions when the hurt would filter through. Likewise, there were times when there were things said that may not have been helpful. But I must exceptionally mention and commend the Hon. Walcott Richardson for a most balanced, measured and thoughtful presentation that eloquently articulated the theme of peace and forgiveness that was echoed throughout the motorcade. I have never heard him speak with such elegant humility.
But, perhaps, it was the parents and other family members of the victims, some who presented at the functions, as well as others with whom I spoke personally, who must be commended. They all seem to appreciate the importance of bringing an end to this cycle of violence. They all seem to understand the importance of giving peace a chance. They all seem to realize that the situation could have been even worse. They all seem to recognize that we all need to be a part of the solution. I saw hurt but no anger; I saw passion but no animus or hostility; I saw tears but no bitterness; I saw sorrow but no despair; and, most of all, I saw hope even in the midst of the uncertainty. One parent summed it up for me when she said: “I am praying for the shooter too — he can’t be alright!” Can this now be the time when we all recognize that our society “can’t be alright” — and that we should do something about it, including prayer?
But even as we drove through the villages of Anguilla with the theme bellowing over the public address system — there were angry persons in our community questioning the reason and the timing for the motorcade. There were some youngsters standing by the side of the street oblivious to the fact that what was happening had anything remotely to do with them. There were families of persons who were either killed or maimed asking the question: Why now? Yet others even now talking revenge. While the Chief Minister gets up in the church service talking about party politics!
Will we ever be able to put aside our personal and political agendas to unselfishly take up the cause of peace in our island? I glimpsed that unselfish look in the eyes of some of the organizers of the motorcade. They appeared to have no ulterior motive but to get the job done. I saw no tinge of arrogance in their manner that sometimes stifles the emergence of good ideas. I read nothing but good intentions in their demeanour. Could this be the first step in a new journey for peaceful reconciliation among the young men of this island? I certainly hope so and want to be a part of it! So should everyone else!
But even as we discuss the way forward, and identify the possible obstacles in our path, there is the small matter of the Anguilla Summer Festival. Unfortunately, while it is a time of merriment and relaxation it is also a time that presents an opportunity for rival gangs and foes to settle their scores with violent retribution. Will the momentum that has started; the prayers; and the rallying cry of “giving peace a chance” resonate with these angry young men? Will it be sufficient to turn their hearts away from revenge during this period of celebration? We sincerely hope so!
Last year the Summer Festival passed without serious incident even though the months before saw the heinous killings of three young men (Marcus, Gustave and Jordell) by guns and pointed weapons. Their parents still grieve but yet they carry on. We cannot cower in our homes and allow ourselves to live in fear of the next episode. We must amuse ourselves but we must not forget. We must never drop our guards! We must be alert to the things that are happening around us and be courageous and caring enough to inform the relevant authorities of our observations. This is what good citizens do! Only our collective effort can assist in this cause.
As an avid fan of the calypso art form I have been listening out to hear if any of the calypsonians have dedicated their songs to the issue of gun violence. I may have missed someone but at the time of writing I have only heard De Adjudicator in her rendition “Too many Guns”. The chorus captures the essence of our plight as she admonishes us:
“We simply can’t continue to
Act like we don’t know what to do
While the blood letting continue
The time is short and days are few
If you refuse to take my cue
The next bullet may just miss and catch you”.
Incidentally, in researching this, I have come across a plethora of compositions that are critical of the Government generally, and the Chief Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary in particular. Being a member of the Government – for sixteen years in the position of Minister of Finance – I too have been the target/subject of many calypsos. But I have never taken even the harshest commentary, personally. I have been asked on occasion how could I stand there year in, year out, and enjoy the show in the face of such lyrical bashing. Truth be told, I have enjoyed many of the artists who have bashed me the most — mainly because I am confident in the inaccuracy of their comments on the one hand, and on the other I consider them to have some form of poetic license in the stories they weave. “Eye Spy” has always been one of my favorites because of his comedic style even when he uses the most degrading labels – and he is back this year with “Shango Man”. I have had to take some deep swallows at “Dynamite’s” most unfair scathing attacks even on the Webster Park at an Official Parade. This year he is telling us why he could not write since 2009. Interesting!
There are some lyricists who can be very extreme in their commentaries and unkind in their characterizations. They in fact very often use this approach to amuse the audience rather than to be outright vicious or nasty. Their presentations are more often, than not, lyrical caricatures rather than an accurate portrayal of the subject. Of course there are cases in my estimation that have seriously “crossed the line”.
The foregoing notwithstanding, I have never, verbally or otherwise, attacked a calypsonian who bashed me in his/her song — nor have I sought to have their compositions censored or banned. In fact, I firmly believe that responding to such lyrical attacks brings more attention to the comments than would normally obtain – and particularly in the case of a politician it shows weakness.
With the number of renditions hitting the Parliamentary Secretary, Haydn Hughes, this year I hope he does not revert to the rancorous attack he leveled on Queen Bee, last year. In fact, she has even more suggestive lyrics in this year’s composition: “Hidden Secrets”. I hope this time around he will follow my example and “soak his blows like a maan!” Because last year, according to “De Adjudicator’s” criticism of the Government in her latest CD:g — (He make!)
