Very unfortunately, this week’s piece must take a sombre tone. We are now aware of the third murder in Anguilla for 2022, and fourth within a 6-month span. One was a femicide, causing the loss of someone making remarkable contributions to the development of women in our society. Three others were due to gun violence. Of those taken by guns, one was during a home invasion, taking away a beloved family man and gracious community member, and the other two were young men whose full promise and potential will never be known nor fulfilled. We continue to lose our people through what I believe to be the greatest contagion of all – violence. My sincerest condolences go out to all impacted by these losses. May you soon find peace.
I consider these occurrences to be brain drain both in the sense of direct loss of those who have passed, as well as the other effects, such as disrupting the psyches of those connected to these incidents, whether as perpetrators, family members, friends, or empathetic members of our society. The induced trauma which permeates our minds leads to worse mental conditioning that inevitably hinders persons from maximising their potential.
We know the saying “violence begets violence.” Our young people, and young men in particular, continue to be disproportionately affected on both sides of the coin. Retaliation for the violent loss of a friend, relative, or gang member, only serves to deepen the cycle, promoting future losses, eventually so far removed from the original issues that nobody even seems to know what they’re at war for any more.
I try not to speak authoritatively on gang culture, as this has never been my lifestyle, and I must not purport to completely understand this perspective. I do, however, genuinely wish to hear from persons locked into this lifestyle. I would like to better understand this way of life, and why resorting to violence comes so easily for some. Some may think I’m in over my head with this desire. However, I do believe that an approach of open-mindedness, calmness, and respect for all, is the only way we may truly comprehend each other and seek out better ways forward.
See you again some time. Stay safe out there.
