Choices

"There are two primary choices in life; to accept the conditions as they exist, or to accept responsibility for changing them."  (Denis Waitley)   

By T. C. Phipps-Benjamin

Many of the special meetings and conferences hosted by those we choose to represent us will continue so long as the scourge of crime reigns like a pregnant cloud over our young nation.   But here's when we know we are challenged as a people; when we continue to do the same things in our fight against crime expecting different results, yet continue to see the demise of many of our young men over and over again. The choices are really few at this point.  We can hope and pray that gang violence doesn't personally affect us or we can "act".  Since gangs have literally become a threat to our national security, it seems our collective efforts, with Government taking a symbolic lead, must be regarded as one of the more powerful tools in helping to eradicate a system that is destroying the nucleus of our community; our youths; our future.   

Who am I to even proffer any avenue as a conduit to resolving some of the challenges we face with regard to crime? 

I am you; your restless Kittitian; your fiery Nevisian; proud as ever to hail from a twin island nation that boasts so much, yet troubled and drained from having to repeatedly hear about a fellow villager's violent death, or another young man fighting death. 

I am you; the mother of a dead son; the brother of a dying man.  I am you; the aunt of a restless mind; I am you; the grandparents and friends of one of our ruthless gunmen who have run amok on the shores of panic and confusion. While our once cuddly babes continue to make choices that reward them with violent death, Kittitian and Nevisian families wallow in immense sorrow, pain and fear. This is surely no earthly haven for us.

Whether we reside in St. Kitts-Nevis, or some other part of the world, if by virtue of our heritage we are Kittitians and Nevisians, "we" have the power to effectuate some form of positive change in youth behavior.  Individuals, no matter the nationality that defines them, can make the choice to "make a difference" so long as they reside on these sacred lands we call home.  If each one, would reach one, and each one would teach one, then NO one would ache from the loss of a murdered son, brother, father or loved one. 

We claim to be a nation of great thinkers, yet it seems we are failing in our test of a lifetime.  We have seen the perils of the onslaught of crime firsthand.  While many individuals have spoken out and written extensively on crime and issues that many of our young men face, isn't it time then that the campaign against crime be upgraded beyond "lukewarm" at best?  Even if in our trying we don't eradicate this scourge outright, do we merely sit back and complain some more, then sadly move on to the next murder?  

It is the common citizens who give power to those we expect to ensure our safety in our homes and our communities.  It is us who are affected by crime and are therefore charged to keep our leaders on their toes so that they can act on our behalf.   Whether we dump our fears and proposals on paper and submit them to our representatives, march on their office steps, or seek to dialogue with, we make the choice to ACT, or cower in our corners and do NOTHING. 

Dozens of organizations on both St. Kitts and Nevis focus on youth outreach programs.  Many of these organizations need the support of the general public to continue their current work and hold government's feet to the fire so that our nation can be saved.  There are also individuals and groups who work outside the spotlight, contributing positively to youth development. 

The following short list of organizations involved in working with our federation's youths is also a reference point: 

Project Strong, Shaping Our Society, SONS, The Rotary Club of Liamuiga, Youth Impact Ministries, Jaycees, SKNYPA, Operation Future, Local Sports Clubs, Community Organizations and more.

The Government arm of the Youth Ministry should be able to provide information on organizations in St. Kitts and Nevis that are actively involved in stemming the tide of youth delinquency. 

Each year presents our people with new and varied challenges. With the passage of time, the nation's citizens anticipate a reduction in wayward youth behaviour and crime.  However, it is not in the striking of some magic wand that we will tackle our troubling issues with crime.  It seems instead that we ought to individually and collectively make the choice to make a difference.  It is the single most valuable choice we can make to ensure St. Kitts and Nevis becomes the halcyon paradise we envision it can be.