Last Friday, January 24, 2014 many persons witnessed the launch of the National Anti-Violence Campaign under the auspices of the Ministry of Health & Social Development. Although I was unable to attend the entire program, because of prior engagements, I was impressed with the effort because it brought together a wide-cross section of the community at all levels. Even before I left I was treated to a number of talented performances highlighting the situation in our communities as the scourge of violence, particularly gun violence, continues to kill and maim our young men. A very moving composition by Pastor Phillip Gumbs entitled: “One Family” was performed under his direction by a group of very talented young people. “Goose bumps” seemed a quite normal response to the presentation. And my sister later chided me with the question: “What could have caused you to miss those other excellent performances on the program?” The question did evoke a feeling of guilt on my part even though my early departure was unavoidable.
I believe that the program would have been even better staged at the Agricultural Grounds had the threat of inclement weather not forced it to be relocated to the Rodney McArthur Rey Auditorium. The organizers were obviously not equipped to deal with the challenges of the acoustics at that new venue on such short notice — but everyone got the messages that were being transmitted. In fact, up until my time of departure, I must say that all the speakers, including the Chief Minister, “hit the right buttons”.
But perhaps the afternoon was marred by the fact that, ironically, on the very same day an incident of violence, with a dangerous weapon, occurred in one of our schools. I am still unaware of the details of that incident but it points to a reality that perhaps our messages; our initiatives; our campaigns are not reaching the youngsters who need them most. Last July, after a senseless shooting, in Blowing Point, in a crowd of innocent young people that left seven youngsters maimed, I commented about the public reaction in the ensuing days in my article in The Anguillian. I wrote: “We seem to have become accustomed to this “on again off again”; “hot and cold” reaction that has been the pattern by individuals and groups in the community whenever these incidents occur. Have we made any significant progress in ensuring that there is a viable action plan in place to deal with these issues since the last incident? I am sure that the general consensus would be that we have not. And I know that all of us need to do our part.”
Since that particular statement there has been a number of rallies, and public forums and other events, to bring attention to these incidents yet they have continued. The recent tragic shooting death of young Romario Richardson is still fresh in our minds. And a group carrying the encouraging name, “The Blowing Point Peacemakers” met with the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Commissioner of Police to discuss the way forward. Before that, groups like the Concerned Citizens; The Action Group; The Peace Drive Group; The Faith Foundation and others have been preaching a similar message. There is no shortage of groups and statements of concern about this issue. And the view is expressed that we need a more targeted campaign — one that addresses the perpetrators of these callous acts on their own turf. There is also strong support for the preventative aspect of this campaign that begins in the home.
In my article on the July 2013 incident, I also wrote: “It appears to have had no particular target in mind to the extent that innocent bystanders like in “terrorist situations” have become “fair game”. We must now come to the “rude awakening” that our greatest fears may now be realized. None of us are immune to these threats to our safety and our island’s security, which is of major concern to national development, is in great peril. Indeed it is a national security issue.
Seven families are now going through a period of uncertainty at this very moment, not knowing if the condition of their loved ones may take a turn for the worse. And quite naturally seven families and many close friends could well be entertaining thoughts of retaliation and revenge. That is the reality of this situation. We can only hope that there are voices in every community that are preaching the message of peace and reconciliation. But we know that there are the voices of pain and bitterness competing against them. The question therefore is what will be the outcome.
When a matter reaches in the hands of the Royal Anguilla Police Force or any Police Force for that matter — it is already too late. It means that the deed is done and we are now looking for the perpetrator. That is not the place where we want to be. We want to prevent the matter from occurring in the first place. I feel compelled to say this because too often we hear the statement: “What is the Police doing?” whenever these incidents occur. Hopefully the Police are doing their job. But a more pertinent question is: “Are we doing our job?” If we were doing our job the Police would have no reason to be called in the first place. That is not to infer that there is no function for the Police in the preventative focus implied in this approach. On the contrary, I am suggesting that there is a job for each of us long before the incident would have occurred. So let us not pick on any one group or individual. It is time to look in the mirror.”
A number of young men who have turned their lives around spoke at a forum almost a year ago and their message, “in a nutshell”, was that most of these young men do not believe that the system cares about them and, basically, that they have absolutely nothing to lose or to strive for. Their reality is the small circle of “friends” who become their support group — and who “look out” for them. That reality is based on the premise that their parents don’t care; their teachers don’t care; the Church doesn’t care; the authorities don’t care; the community doesn’t care; and just about nobody cares.
It is a tough reality to imagine especially if we forget that many of us, as youngsters, may have entertained similar thoughts, if even for just a fleeting moment. A good point of departure, therefore, could be to ask ourselves what changed those thoughts for us. Did we discover that someone did care? What would have happen if those thoughts were reinforced rather than erased? What if we, during our youth, were exposed to other cultures and their means of coping that television, the Internet and the X-Box bring graphically home to our youngsters today? What if there was the proliferation of guns that now exists? Would we have taken the same path?
My message here is that each and everyone of us can take the time out to show that from the richest to the poorest; from the strongest to the weakest; from the oldest to the youngest; and on and on — we can demonstrate that caring in some way. A kind word; a helping hand; a sponsorship; the widow’s mite; a smile; a look of recognition; a phone call; a shout out – all these gestures can make a difference in the direction a youngster goes with his life. It is really that simple!
It is encouraging that this recent launch of the National Anti-Violence Campaign seems to integrate all of these ideas and messages in its theme. And perhaps even more praiseworthy is the fact that it recognizes the importance of partnerships and as such does not appear to be in any competition for attention. The very name, Partners Advocating for Violence Eradication (P.A.V.E), suggests that it is a “big tent” under which all the ideas to change this perilous course can coalesce and flourish. In addition, the fact that there appears to be strong Government participation and, hopefully, substantive leadership, promises the availability of resources; policy development; and enabling legislation to strengthen the implementation of relevant programs.
I sincerely commend the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Youth & Culture on the launching of this “umbrella” initiative, and hope that it will be diligent in the task it has set for itself of “Leading the way to a safer Anguilla”. What I saw appeared to be a “team approach”, and what I heard sounded like a message of hope. But let us not forget, in this important enterprise, the theme which must define the process — which was captured in Pastor Phillip’s composition through the melodious strains of the youth voices: “One Family!”
