Progressive Minds

It is a mistake to think that heavy-handed policing and draconian punishments will solve the problems in society that are causing these increasingly frequent outbursts of violence. At best such policies may serve as a short-term 'band-aid' solution, but if not matched with a focus on the root causes, such short-term policies are more likely to both accelerate and deepen the problems. We risk an arms-race and glorification of violence if we rely on such reaction.

The questions that we need to deal with are:

What are the causes of the violence?
Why are people using drugs?
Why are people resorting to violence to deal with disputes?

There are of course lots of other questions and things to discuss relating to this. But I think a key one is the breakdown of traditional community systems that have led to a greater alienation of our people and a focus on materialism, especially amongst our youth. This does not mean that we need to return to our old traditional systems of a strong Church and male chauvinism. But it does mean that we need to build new community structures though that do have the same effect of reducing alienation and giving a more productive focus than materialism.

I'm a little disappointed that the reponses on how to deal with our present gang problem has been mainly a show of force. While it most definitely is needed increased action by the police is not going to stop the violence or the existence of gangs. The situation that we find ourselves in presently is not a behavioral problem. Gangs and gang violence is a symptom of a deeper problem, a social psychological and socio-economic problem. Until all persons involved in creating this problem change their behaviors then we as a country will continue to have more of the detestable behaviors.

Let me be clear, I have little interest in pointing fingers and placing blame but we do need to know who the guilty parties are in order to help them to change their behaviors. As I said this is a social problem and when it comes down to it everyone is to blame. We all exist in the Bermudian society so we all have to accept our role in causing and fixing this problem.

FAMILY
Sociology and psychology both teach that the family is the most influential teacher of morals, behaviors, belief and the like friends are the second most influential group. If parents are not visible and active participants in their children’s lives then they leave their children vulnerable to outside influences such as friends and the media. Parents need to ensure their children are instilled with moral values. This cannot all be done in the school and we should not expect them too. Take your children to church, teach them right from wrong. Let your children know that you expect a certain level of behavior and that behaviors opposite to such will not be tolerated. It is a fallacy to believe that a parent can be a friend to their child while they are growing up. You can tell your friends no, blow them off even but a parent makes the law and the child follows, that is how RESPECT is created and nurtured.

Single parents find it especially difficult due to Bermuda’s financial climate. If a parent or parents cannot be with their child after school comes out then these same parents need to ensure that their child is under the care of a responsible adult or participating in an activity or club. Something that every child needs that doesn’t cost a penny and has visible positive impact is love and attention. Parents need to be present to their children. This cannot be done through the imparting of gifts. While I’m sure many a teen would love the latest pair of sneakers, jeans, cd, dvd etc. They would much rather their parents pay them some mind. Talk to your children. In doing so you can find out how they think, if they are susceptible to outside influence and if they are headed in the right track in general. Gifts don’t do that. They are just things to be lost, ruined and taken for granted. It also creates children who only care about material possessions and how to acquire them. How many of our young men have lived their lives never hearing the words “I love you” from their parents? How many children grown up feeling unloved and not a part of a “real” family? That gap, that need is easily filled by a gang or crew because then that lost soul feels a part of something.

My last point on family is this, We need more nuclear familes. I know some great single parent families but it doesn’t change the fact that children from single parent homes are more at risk and most single parent homes are headed by women. WILL THE REAL MEN PLEASE STAND UP? I’m tired of these selfish, sperm donor, baby daddy’s who can’t get past the issues with the mother of their child to be a parent. To them, I say you’re punks and you need to man up. Weekend daddy’s don’t really cut it either. Being a parent is a full time job. Taking your child to an event is nice, an opportunity to bond but utilize the time wisely and talk to your children. I am of the belief that only a man can teach a boy to become a man. Of course women can impart vital knowledge but I think we can all agree that men and women think differently so a male influence is needed.

CHURCHES
Religion and church is not for everyone but it does have some good qualities, like teaching morals. I would urge churches to look outside of their congregation to the community as a whole. Get out of the church building and into the streets. I have seen some great and forward thinking community oriented programs such as the Seventh Day Adventist GED program and the group that bought in the ex-gang members to talk to students. Programs and initiatives such as these are exactly what we need. Keep it up and keep it going.

PRIVATE SECTOR
While money doesn’t solve everything, it can definitely help in combating this gang and violence problem. There are many companies that invest in Bermuda through by sponsoring sporting and art events and that’s great. I think they could broaden their scope however and invest in community based programs and events. How about adopting a community centre? Contributing closer to the ground as it were.
A large factor in many persons opting out of mainstream society is a disconnect between their lives and the “Bermudian dream”. If we can show these same persons that there is a way for them to attain their goals legally then maybe they’ll decide to rejoin society. I’m talking about jobs. I know right now is not the best time but it is what is needed and would definitely be useful. I think many would like to believe that those who take part in illegal activities are not smart or trustworthy but I think that is lazy thinking. A person will more likely turn to crime due to circumstance and isolation. Give people proper jobs where a better future is actually possible in their eyes and you will see a change in behavior and thinking.

COMMUNITY
I know its been said many times but it doesn’t make the adage any less true. It takes a village to raise a child and the village of Bermuda has fallen asleep on the job. What happened to correcting children who were wrong when they were wrong? We’ve become so afraid of speaking out that our silence has given those who do wrong the idea that their behavior is justified. We need to stop turning a blind eye when we see people doing wrong. That means reporting what you know to the police even if you don’t have physical proof call the police and let them find the evidence they need. The burden to find the evidence is on the police. The police work with the community for the community but if the community doesn’t hold up its end of the deal can we really expect to have a safe Bermuda?

Crimestoppers. We have it, it’s anonymous use it.

It’s a little known fact that some families depend on illegal monies to in order to sustain their life or have family members who participate in illegal activities. I can appreciate the kind of strain it puts on a person but at the end of the day illegal behavior is illegal behavior. If you aren’t a part of the solution you are part of the problem and in some way or another there is blood on your hands. Harsh words for a harsh reality. Solutions to problems are there, if not always visible or easy. If you know your neighbors son deals drugs or have seen him stash off something somewhere then it is the person who saw something that doesn’t look quite right to say something. End of story.

People have this thing about not wanting to be a snitch. A snitch is someone who is involved in illegal activities and turns their co-conspirators in. If you aren’t committing a crime its called being a responsible citizen. We need more of them.

Last but most certainly not least is Government, but I'll do that tommorow.

All that I wrote and still am to write is with the hope that all parties will act now. What happened in the past or what did not happen in the past cannot be ignored as it lead us to our present situation. I'm a holistic big picture type thinker so I cannot not include past events becuse its how I shape my ideas for the future and I think its important to be able to connect our past behaviors to where we are now so as we go forward we do not to make the same mistakes. Believe me, anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not into the whole why me, poor me, if only stuff, I'm about the solution. I put everything out there becuase a problem of this nature tends to have a million and one possible solutions and they're all correct. Even Transcedental Meditation has its merits if one is open and enlightened enough to see it.

Please understand, it's not that I thought you were disagreeing with me but more I was clarifying my position. I do not want to be seen as aligning myself with a belief or thought that I did not actually have or share. ie. about the police and government. I really do hate being taken out of context, nothing personal at all really.

I think it's important to stress however the point about short term vs long term. At this stage there are no viable short term solutions. Bermudians in general must settle in for the long term because short term is just not an option anymore.