Here we go again like a hamster on a spinning wheel in his cage. That’s the picture that comes to mind as we struggle with the many challenges that face and will continue to face us for years to come. We seem to be on a perpetual roller coaster, especially when it comes to dealing with crime, as we are now. Even though we know that we will become sick from the ride we keep going back to it. The question must be put therefore, is whether we truly want to do something about all the crime that we say is making us so sickly fearful.
Yes, we take to the media and vociferously condemn all the crimes of rape, domestic violence, child abuse, armed robberies and other blue-collar crimes. We have prayer vigils and marches to take back our streets. We get on radio talk shows, political platforms and other podiums and call for immediate and swift action to correct the situation. Inevitably much of the furore comes from the same voices crying for the Cat-o-nine-tail and state execution. After all, the laws are on the books.
Some of these persons profess to be Christians and rationalize their position for the use of state violence with reference to their bible. They continually parade their God as a God of violence and revenge, which further exacerbates the roller coaster ride. We seem paralysed to get off even when the roller coaster has stopped, and find out why our small community is producing so many violent (and non-violent white collar) criminals, why are we producing so many angry, disrespectful, out of control people.
As a community we generally want to take the easy way out by blaming it on the devil and foreign influences. Very seldom do we seem to take responsibility that our predicament is of our own making, and no amount of foreign experts or any other quick-fix public relations gimmick is going to solve our problem. We have just seen that with recent consultants to the police force. If it’s going to change, we have to stop doing what has been producing the criminals.
Criminal and other irresponsible behaviours are generally learned, and so can be unlearned, but we don’t want to take the time or exert the energy to correct our folly. We would much rather take the easy political way out by hiring more law-enforcement officers, building bigger prisons, expanding the court system and further dehumanising and killing the wealth of our nation.
Despite all the huff and puff about our plight, we really don’t want any lasting improvement because too many persons profit from criminal activity. As one law enforcer stated a little while back when confronted with the spectre of improving the home and community environment “you want to take bread out of my and my family’s mouth.” The lawyer, accountant, and prison personnel will probably say the same if confronted with such a suggestion. Yet this the best answer to bringing about any meaningful and lasting change for the better.
We simply have to make some drastic changes in our value system of materialism and success at any cost. At the end of the day we will pay a heavy price, even higher than we are paying now. We are in a social and moral hole, and if we want to get out we will have to stop digging, stop raising our children in the way that produces so many criminals and mean-spirited young people.
Parents must find the courage and be open to try new skills in rearing non-violent, sensitive and caring children. In fact, it will be incumbent upon all of our social and socializing institutions to consistently display the core set of human values that promote a caring, respectful community. This applies to the teacher, the preacher, the politician, the businessman and all caregivers.
Until we commit ourselves in words and deeds to making our families and communities circles of peace, love and respect, we can most assuredly predict more roller coaster ride on the hamster’s spinning wheel. The choice to get off is ours. But do we really want to get off?
Viewpoints, The Bahama Journal
