The joint statements by political leaders and aspirants in The Valley North and Road South constituencies condemning violence, are a most welcome undertaking and should be roundly applauded by all. The only criticism is that it should have come sooner than on Wednesday this week. For too long there have been itching ears both in Anguilla, and abroad, to hear our leaders, and would-be leaders, having the political will and courage to openly condemn the spate of violence which has become a worsening malady in our otherwise tranquil island.
The sporadic violence has sadly resulted in the injuring, maiming and untimely death of a number of our youngsters in our communities. Were it not for that savagery, they could have been productive and valuable citizens contributing to the growth and pride of Anguilla rather than to its anguish and embarrassment.
The delay of our politicians,or probably their reluctance or fear, to condemn violence, has met with some criticism from concerned persons inside and outside Anguilla as indicated above. Rightly or wrongly, some commentators have formed the opinion that certain politicians have been fearful that they would lose votes if they were believed to be offending families who, in reality, have lost control of their children. Then there are the youngsters who may even feel marginalised or ignored believing that nobody cares about them, and that they have the freedom to turn their frustrations into violence.
The burden of good governance demands that our leaders step out of their comfort zones to confront head on any untoward situation that impacts our small and vulnerable society. Because he is the Leader of Government Business, and the symbol of much respect and authority on the island, there is a bigger burden on the Chief Minister to take the lead in many circumstances.
While others may suggest a course of action for him to take, as it is claimed regarding the initiative to condemn violence, he must ensure that, with the buck stopping with him, he takes the lead in all matters of good governance. When the Chief Minister speaks, in all probability, any message, needed to be conveyed to the populace or any section of it, is normally expected to have both force and effect.
But the truth is that neither the Government as a whole, nor the Chief Minister by himself, can achieve order and reformation in our society. Not even the law enforcement agencies with all their sweeping legal powers.
There is a need for the whole society to come together in this national and urgent effort. Week after week our religious leaders trumpet the call, from their diverse pulpits, for an end to violence and a return of Anguilla to the old days when love, caring and God-fearing were not merely watchwords, but were fervently practiced, resulting in a truly harmonious and Christian island. One of the biggest offences committed then was the use of foul four-letter words which landed the users in the Magistrate’s Court, unlike today when such curse language, widely heard in public, is no longer offensive in the revised Criminal Code.
The condemnation of gun violence by the political representatives in The Valley and Blowing Point constituencies must not stop there. It must spread to the other districts notwithstanding the relative quiet and good behaviour there. Just like cancer does not remain in one part of the body, so violence is likely to leap from one or two areas to other sections of Anguilla.
Our politicians must now galvanize the churches and all community organisations to pool their collective efforts to rid Anguilla of the scourge of violence. We have no other place to live and enjoy the comfort of life but in our own homeland. Let us band ourselves together to fight violence in all of its forms. While our efforts, frantic as they are, may be long overdue, it is better late than never.
