How much has changed

December 24, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me space in your paper to not only share my comments made in a "Let's Talk" e-mail but also some other "food for thought". A few weeks ago, the ZBM news programme had a two-hour panel discussion to address concerns and solutions regarding the latest acts of violence in this country. In my e-mail, I said it would be a shame for us to watch yet another programme about the devastation we are experiencing, the "slaying" of our young people, and not do something, whatever that something is for each of us. I am a teacher in the public school system and the relationships I build with my students are just as important to me as the lessons I teach them. It is heartbreaking to feel that no matter how many motivating things you say or how much you let the children know you believe in them, some cannot be reached and you see them slowly giving up on their future. Many lack that spark for what their future holds because they believe tomorrow is just going to be more of the same. Education is no longer important to many of them, they do not push themselves anymore and they wonder why it matters to reach for the stars, when they cannot even see past the clouds.

They know at home, the place they will head back to after 3.30 p.m., is where the drama is where no one is checking up on them, where Mom or Dad maybe working that second job to ensure mouths are fed and lights are on which to some, takes priority over whether or not a homework assignment or project was completed, or a test was studied for.

Neighbours are not real neighbours any more, and even if they try to be, there is always that one parent who will say "don't talk to my child like that" or "you have no right to confront her I don't care what she said to you". And some of those same parents come to school and say those very same comments to teachers and principals, often in front of their child, who now feels empowered. Every child at the end of the day is looking for rules, security, attention, love, respect, and to feel that their thoughts and feelings matter. If those things cannot be found at home, or school the next best place is on the street, but as they embrace their "new family" and follow the rules that apply, the essence of who they are or would have been ... is lost!

Now Mr. Editor, I am wondering if every person in this country is really realising how much we have changed. Our theme song is now ringing true, but on a totally different level yes "Bermuda is definitely Another World" and all we seem to do is blame every other group for problems that belong to all of us.

I am going to break this down further so no one is confused:

Are there teachers who have no business teaching because they could not care less about understanding, attempting to reach, motivating or simply being there for every young child in their classrooms (because the real reasons they are there, are for those set holidays or the ability to depart from work before 5 p.m.)? Yes!

Are there some politicians who walked the streets and neighbourhoods, knocking on our doors, greeting our seniors, high-fiving our black men sitting on walls, making promises they have yet to keep (some may not even remember them) because it was just important to "get in" and "move on up"? Yes!

Are there parents who know they are not "parenting", who are concerned more with getting out and having a "good time" instead of being there for the children they chose to have? Are they ensuring that their child has the necessities needed to function at school, are they checking homework, making sure their child is getting the proper amount of sleep that is needed? Are these some of the same parents who buy their children the latest gadgets and sneakers, or take them on trips to Florida or New York as a bribe to make them forget? to all of these questions definitely, Yes! But are there also parents who, despite life's many struggles, are still able to do an amazing job raising their children with respect, love, support and the determination to make sure their child succeeds, no matter what? Yes, Yes!

Are there people in this country, who no longer care about stopping to let a car out from a side street, or parking space? Who no longer part their lips to speak respectfully and positively, or give a senior a seat on the bus? Are there people in this country who do not hold the door open, say "thank you", or "you are welcome", and instead of lifting others up, they assist in pulling them down? Unfortunately, to all these questions the answer is Yes!

The list could go on, Mr. Editor, because we are all to blame for the direction this country is taking, and sooner or later the lives of the innocent will be taken too. Bermuda is only 21 miles long, and we cannot hide. We cannot let these young people, with no fear of consequences and no value for life, take over this country. What gives them the right? These criminals are in their teens, 20s and early 30s and they believe in what they are doing, the havoc they are creating, is justified ... so Bermuda, the war begins! Mr. Editor, I thank you for letting others hear my voice. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT

Smith's

Stop the bleeding

December 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

If there is a politician in Bermuda who really wants to fix the gang and gun problem in Bermuda, then please take a stand. While the gang and gun problem is a 'community issue', clearly the community is unwilling or unable to cope with the issue. For Government to simply keep asking for community support is a cop-out. when a community is unable to act to protect itself, it becomes Government's responsibility to protect the community. Stop playing politics with this issue!

When a patient enters the hospital bleeding to death, the first thing the doctors will do is try to stop the bleeding. That is what must be done in Bermuda. Stop the bleeding. Figure out the more complex issues later. First,

1. Suspend habeas corpus for 30, 60 days or 90 days.

2. Immediately increase police powers of search and seizure.

3. Arrest all known violent criminal and drug elements to get them off the street, even if only for a short period. the police know who they are!

4. If the jury system no longer works, replace it with an alternative.

5. Increase the mandatory penalty for murder to life without parole.

6. Increase the mandatory penalties for possession of a gun with probable intent — 30 years. There is only one reason why people carry guns on the street.

7. Increase the mandatory penalties for possession of a conceal offensive bladed weapon in public — 20 years. There is only one reason why someone carries a knife on the street.

8. Double the penalties for second crimes and triple the penalties for third crimes.

9. Introduce three strikes and you are out for crimes committed with a weapon; involving violence; or threats of violence. Unfortunately, these are adults who have made choices. In a country of limited recourses we must put our resources to work where they will have the biggest impact — with the children.

10. Reward people for coming forward with evidence against criminals.

Use the time and powers allowed by the above actions to convict criminals so as to get them off the streets. These are not by and large children. These are mainly adults who have made bad choices. We must put lour scarce resources into saving the children.

Is it terrible that we have to temporarily discontinue a human right and to remove criminals from society? Yes and yes. The public however must choose. Either we the public are going to live as prisoners in our own homes, or we can put the criminals in prison.

Once the bleeding has stopped we can focus our efforts where we should have years ago — saving the next generation. That is where we have the best chance of success.

1. there has been a wealth of good suggestions about gang intervention and counselling. We should choose the best ideas from those available and implement them now.

2. Fix our educational system. Introduce recognised curricula and most importantly, set expectations and require our children to perform at appropriate levels. Hire and retain the best and the brightest teachers the world has to offer. Let the non-performing teachers go. Cut down on the excessive administration. And let the schools be run by non-political boards.

3. Require children (through the schools if required) to be enrolled in one sport; one cultural; and one volunteer activity. Extend the school hours if required.

4. How many kids are coming 'home' to parents who are drug, or alcohol addicts; parents who do not care; or who are unable to cope with their parenting responsibilities? These children are at risk of becoming underperforming adults, or future criminals. Certainly any child that has already been before the courts is at risk. Any child who is failing in school is also a candidate. Try to intervene in the family, but if necessary, rescue these 'at risk' children (by court order if required) from their negative environments. That negative environment could be a home environment, or a peer environment. If there are no on-island alternatives, get these at risk children off the island (out of their negative environment) and into schools and or programmes abroad that can nurture them. Give these children a chance. Involve the parents as much as feasible — these kids double the amount of love.

5. If a child need medical or psychological help — provide it.

6. Educate and offer incentives to children not to become pregnant as teens.

7. Educate, but also consider blocking the negative influences of American mass media culture. When we allow our children unrestricted access to TV, movies, and all they watch is guns and violence; why are we surprised that they grow up to be violent individuals? Turn off the TVs (and the computers if required).

8. Walk the streets. Talk to your neighbours. Create communities again.

The above steps are nothing more than involved parents are now doing for their children. Why should these options not be available to all children? Unfortunately, some parents do not have the ability, knowledge or financial wherewithal to fund the required actions. Society must help.

We have the financial resources to fund the above. It is only a question of priorities. If we act now and stop the excessive government wastes and expenditures, we have the money. You could fund the school fees for at risk children today out of Government's travel budget alone. Think about this the next time you see that large Government contingent travelling first class (or any class) to their latest boondoggle conference. Government does not need another $20 or $50 million dollar building — we need to save the children. We can also seek educational scholarships from our International partners. And clearly, parents should be required to fund what is possible.

Nest — fix the prisons.

1. Stop allowing drugs into the prisons. No wonder the prisons are revolving doors.

2. Create a special drug remand centre for persons convicted of possession where they can be provided with counselling and training. Send people abroad for treatment and education if required.

3. Ensure first time prisoners receive training and schooling. People make mistakes and they should be given a fighting chance to turn their lives around. Again, send them off the island for training and counselling if required.

4. Expand drug treatment programmes.

Will there be howls of protest about the above measures. Of course, but only from those who for one reason or another do not want to fix the problem. Stop the blame game! We are losing a generation. If we do not act, we will lose the next one even faster. If we fail to act, Bermuda will become just another failed state within a generation. And then we really will not have the money to fix the problems. The rest of the world will simply move on. At that juncture we will be just another third world nation with a rising sea level.

A PARENT

City of Hamilton