By Adrian Gibson
First published in The Tribune on Friday, December 29, 2006 under the byline, Young Man's View.
WITH the country on the brink of eclipsing 60 murders and setting a extremely despicable record, it is obvious that crime has gripped our society in a most undesirable way.
It is obvious that some Bahamians have developed an American influenced outlook on violent crime, seemingly accepting it as an everyday occurrence. On Wednesday, The Tribune reported that Inspector Walter Evans appealed to the public, urging us all to become more involved in preventing vicious crimes. Bahamians have apparently become so tolerant of the idea that we must co-exist with a sadistic criminal constituent that according to Inspector Evans, many of them see and hear of escalating events before hand but fail to contact the police. This is wrong and reflects the emergent frame of mind that many Bahamians, particularly Nassauvians, are becoming indifferent to violence afflicting their neighborhoods, almost mirroring the attitudes of residents of antagonistic neighborhoods such as Compton, California where gang activity reigns supreme.
Before the drug boom, the Bahamas was a rather peaceful society, and although there were incidents of petty crime (e.g. theft), there was hardly ever any occurrences of the vile, heinous acts we hear about almost on a daily basis.
Bahamians must find more effective ways to resolve personal conflicts. The use of a knife or a gun to cause harm or take people’s lives is a spineless, wretched approach to conflict resolution. In 2007, we, as a people, must learn to begin using our brains and our speaking abilities to resolve issues. And, if all else fails, when there is any sign of unrestrained trouble….run and live to see another day! The problem with many of our youths today is just that, instead of running away from trouble, they run towards it, many times losing their lives or taking the life of someone else.
In the year 2006, far too many Bahamian young men and woman were murdered on the streets and cut down in the prime of their lives. This year, far too many youngsters contributed to the ever increasing prison population instead of the upward mobility of Bahamian society.
It is high time that we learn to value the lives of others, and in 2007, begin to learn the worth of being our brothers’ keepers. When youngsters resort to outrageous slayings and burning people, kidnapping, stuffing people in the back trunks of vehicles and so on, we must really begin to assess the sociology and psychology of our society. From our homes to our classrooms, we must address the social issues confronting our society or bear witness the social collapse of Bahamian society.
As it relates to crime in the inner city, the urban renewal programme has failed. Violent crime has skyrocketed since the introduction of urban renewal, and though PM Perry Christie’s (the architect of the programme) intent is commendable, he must awaken to the sad reality that this poorly funded initiative has not strengthened the social fabric of our society nor has it; led to the self-development and socialization of a large percentage youths in the inner city.
THE PM’s BUNGLING
This week Mr Christie said that the general election would be called some time before May 2nd, 2007. Wow! It is striking to see that the PM apparently has yet to make up his mind as to when an election will be called, even this late in the game.
If Mr Christie’s previous bouts of indecision are any indication, then the election may not be called until the very last minute, possibly after setting up one or several of his famous consultative committees. Although voter registration is presently low, calling the election would surely speed up the process as many Bahamians would be mindful of the urgency of this exercise.
Scandal or not, win or lose, the PM must stop procrastinating in what seems to be yet another anxious bid to hold on, a little longer, to power.
A happy and blessed new year to all!
