#SpeakingOut – The crime bomb

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Michael Rudder

We are not alone in the world when it comes to facing too many unwelcome incidences of crime in our country. We are not alone in seeking to make excuses for the criminal. We hear them everywhere – unemployment, diminished educational opportunities, ‘us versus them’ and other traditional sops to those inclined towards wrong-doing.

I am amazed that reporters allow persons to claim that students who go to “the other schools” are somehow disadvantaged, with the inference that they therefore are likely to veer towards crime.

So, Mr. and Ms. Pontificator, how come graduates from every secondary school in Barbados may be found at the pinnacle of many professions? Are the teachers in some schools less able or less qualified? Do all the students who enter the so-called elite schools all reach sixth form and do well? Stop rubbishing schools.

The other crime-creating hobby horse is to blame unemployment. Now tell me, if let us say 10 percent of those who are unemployed turned to crime, what kind of society would we have? By persistently promoting the narrative that there is a link of criminal activity to unemployment, what effect do you think that reinforcement has on the unemployed looking to shelter under that ‘excuse umbrella’ to validate their criminal intent and action?

Yet we may also wish to examine whether there may be some connection between the violence of cartoons, video games, movies and other videos where it seems to be promoted that the gun is the solution, and that getting ‘one up over the other person’ no matter the consequences, is also an acceptable lifestyle.

In a previous letter to the Editor, I posited that the only certain solution to transformation of self and community is sincere prayer to The Father asking for His help.

Such action is the only sure way to diffuse the crime bomb that currently exists. Neither an Attorney General nor government can divine the negative actions of individuals based on law or precedent.