In his acceptance speech at the District 2 political meeting, last Saturday evening, Jerome Roberts tended to focus primarily on the issues of violence and crime, and he pledged to play his part in creating a culture of peace for Anguilla if he is elected when the electorate casts its votes at the polls this year.
Although we are not certain of the date for the 2020 elections, even as the campaign wheels roll toward that unknown day, and although Mr. Roberts noble intent is an extremely plausible one, the fact remains that all Anguillians, and lovers of Anguilla, each has a part to play in curbing the incidents of violent crimes on this island. And though Anguilla is relatively tranquil in comparison to other Caribbean jurisdictions, it is my view that Anguilla can indeed be free of murderous, wanton crimes if we channel our thoughts and energies in the right direction.
“But what is that right direction?” one may ask. Mr. Roberts did recommend that residents of Anguilla should show more respect about how they deal with each other. So, whether there is a potential for crime in the area of domestic violence, or a risk of murderous incidents among peers in open communities, a status of peaceful dwelling for all can be achieved through a change of heart when love, forbearance and respect for each other are exercised. When a husband respects his wife and vice-versa; when a lover respects his partner and vice-versa; when young men respect the rights of hard toiling business owners who sacrifice their ease and comfort to achieve; and when the young men and women of our beloved land show respect for each other’s rights, only then can Mr. Robert’s dream of a peaceful Anguilla be realized.
However, we can never achieve a violent-free, crime-free society through our own volition. I believe that with God nothing is impossible, and without Him nothing is possible — especially when it comes to such a great feat as a crime free civilization. I am convinced that it is God’s will for this “treasured island” to prosper and be at peace, void of crime and criminal influences. Our island, Anguilla, can be one of the Caribbean’s envies as an example of a crime-free society. But what we all need to do, not just Mr. Roberts from a political stand-point, is to bring God into the mix of our desires.
We can desire much at the beginning of a new year. How ironic it was, though, that just after observing the season pronouncing “peace on earth and goodwill to all men”, we would be cumbered with the tragic loss of our endearing Leroy Vanterpool. Yes, we can have our most fascinating New Year wishes but if we, as a nation, forget to acknowledge God and desire Him to be the guardian of our way, then we are leaving our lives up to the winds of chance, and we would become vulnerable to the risks of the devil’s cunning murderous attacks again and again.
There are no three ways about it — no, only two. It’s either that we actively seek God and be rewarded with good like peace, safety and harmonious co-existence for all, or we live to ourselves, do nothing, live it up, and give way to the devil to reap evil — tragic crime, violent attitudes and the like.
Last year, the spectrum of crime slid from the Mitchel-Hapgood saga to the brutish fatal attack on our beloved Taitu Kai Goodwin. Whenever such incidents take place, pundits and cynical critics of religion tend to ask: “Where is the church, and what the Christians dem doing?” It is evident that typically such inquiries are made by two groups of society: one, by those who are just bent on taking the opportunity to criticize the church’s mission; and two, by those who are expectantly looking toward the church to intercede to God on behalf of our people.
It is with this second grouping in mind that, subsequent to the dreadful death of Taitu, Pastor Gareth Hodge — under the auspices of the Anguilla Evangelical Association — conducted public prayers of intercession for our hurting nation. And Pastor Hodge is to be highly commended. Albeit, such prayers should have been sustained, and the conquering name of Christ should have been publicly lifted up in our society even till today. Let the church remember that it was the Master Himself who once promised: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.”
When the church gets radical about lifting up Jesus, and as young men are being drawn to Him, there would be no time for acts of crime and murder. The glory of God will infiltrate our land, as the Prince of Peace is magnified, and there will be true tranquility and peace. Yes, a crime-free society is indeed possible.
But a crime-free society is everybody’s business. It’s not just about the bills that are passed in the House of Assembly, and the noble efforts of well-meaning politicians. It is when the home, the church, the school and civil society all work together — in tandem with the government — and we all recognize that our sole source of peace is falling in line with God, our creator, adhering to His sacred command to love our neighbour even as we love ourselves.
