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 Ray
While it is true that no individual or organisation is responsible for Barbados’ worrying crime and violence situation, it is also true that individuals and organiswations, singularly and independently, can take action
to reduce the level of crime, if not totally solve crime.
A simple example is an individual, as an adherent to the motto “If you see something, say something”, calling Crime Stoppers and offering information connected to criminal activity.
Another example is an organisation, by way of a management directive can determine that the business will
not be paying bribes in order to be awarded contracts.
There is no doubt whatsoever, that collectively individuals and organisations can solve and reduce crime over a period of time, hence it is fair to say a single entity will not solve it.
Crime has been treated like a political football by successive governments and calls continue to be made to end the politicking.
However, a golden opportunity to collectively wage a fight against crime was lost when a previous Democratic Labour Party highlighted crime and violence as a scourge that required tough actions and responses.
However, a Barbados Labour Party government of the day procured two well-known radio personalities to cleverly craft a jingle-type advertisement mixed with parody, satire and humour, and the mater of crime and violence was ignored and taken for granted. Today, we are still struggling to keep the crime situation under control.
It is not surprising that Criss Jami, the Afro-American author, poet, musician and philosopher has pointedly remarked, “The problem is politics is made a sport, almost as much a sport as football or baseball.
When it comes to politics, adults and politicians do more finger-pointing and play more games than children ever do. Too often are we rooting for the pride of a team rather than the good of the nation.”
Indeed, it is time to end the politicking.
