Within the recent times T&T, in addition to the globalised community, has been confronted with prevalent issues regarding, health, economic instability, social stratification, and many other societal issues. While we protest for important issues, as a citizen, I feel it incumbent to address a matter which is becoming rampant and should be considered mainstream currently—violence in society.
On June 20, a headline caught my attention, “Toddler, dad gunned down in Tunapuna” (T&T Guardian). I am pleading that T&T become more animated to the present day realities of crime.
We live in a society within which a new generation is slowly emerging; these are the youths of tomorrow who will carry forward an ever advancing society. As a 17-year-old I am absolutely disheartened that we as citizens are not doing enough to address violence.
Recently, a two-year-old and her father were fatally shot. This is not the only situation where children in our society, the most vulnerable, have been affected by violence and crime. A child, who got shot at age two, is a loss to mankind.
Have our society become so desensitised that we have turned a blind eye?
I am imploring citizens to stand as one, put our differences aside and think selflessly about others and to raise a voice within our communities for the much needed solidarity and cohesion that is required to fight against these issues.
Martin Luther King once said, “The good neighbour looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.”
Some children are growing up among guns and ammunitions, hearing screams of people, even worse, being traumatically affected for life. They face much pressures and are unable to realise their full God-given potentials because of social and environmental factors which inhibit their growth and capacity.
Ponder on a child and how he or she deserves to laugh and smile and bring joy to this earth. Instead they are becoming mentally mortified or, even worse, can’t cry because of the intense emotions they are unable to process at such a young age. Children need to be loved and taken care of, not terrorised or killed by a society to which they have been entrusted. Are we terrorists of our own children?
We withdraw and watch bullets fly, war among gangs occur, suffering and starvation. This is not in accordance of how humans should be treated. Yet we refuse to speak up. Because for one, we assume someone else is fixing the problem. Truth is, no one is doing anything, because we all assume “the bystander effect.” Is this morally correct?
Put your economic, political and social beliefs aside and ask if we want our children to be raised in these conditions.
We should let morals, values and oneness of humanity be our guide to uplift us, instead of hate, mistrust and disunity. It is our jobs, as people living in this country, to make it better for the future generation.
We are our neighbours’ keepers. But even so, no human being especially a child should have to die because of other people’s hatred. No single person should have the right to crush someone else’s happiness or beauty. Children aren’t fully developed, to even make decisions, or have a mind-set of their own. Why hurt them?
Justice is balanced, and it is set on two pillars: reward and punishment. This is the source of light which would help to unite mankind to deal with the circumstances facing our society.
I am requesting, humbly, imploring that citizens please “pull their weight” law officials cannot be omnipresent, but at the end of the day, it’s up to us, to set the fine line between what is acceptable and what is not, in our communities.
“The most violent element in society is ignorance”, Emma Goldman.
Thus, it is vital that we assist in change for the benefit of our children. Children should grow to regard themselves as valuable and as deserving of both love and respect.
Victim blaming of individuals, much more for a child is unfair! It’s unjust! The actions of others should not affect the justice for children.
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