A few words to express concern about worrying instances of vegilante behaviour in our society. A few weeks ago 43 year old Peter Caddle was beaten to death in Jackson, St. Michael by boys from the area. He reportedly had injured an elderly woman with his car.
Last week street dweller Albert John was declared dead from natural causes although he reported to the QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (QEH) with multiple injuries about his body. Members of the public have raised alarm that the result of a post mortem appears to ignore the fact John was badly beaten.
To whom much is given much is expected. The Barbados Police Service (BFS) and government pathologist have a responsibility to fairly discharge assigned duties. As soon as the public starts to question the integrity of public actors, houston, we have a problem.
Almost 100 days have elapsed since Commissioner Boyce promised to investigate a slapping incident on Kadooment Day 2024 by one of his officers. It has been four years since the death of Emma McManus in Barbados from an aledged cocaine incident. The billionaire McManus family and part owner of Sandy Lane hotel have contested Coroner Graveney Bannister’s inquest findings and the matter continues to languish in our moribund court system.
Barbados cannot advance as a small proud island state if we are unable to uphold law and order as well as deliver justice. What is justice?
… it refers to the principle of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, fairness, and equity. Justice involves ensuring that individuals receive what they are due, whether in terms of rights, obligations, or punishment – Source: Internet
As a caring society we have to agitate against injustice at every turn. Many Barbadians have disassociated themselves from the adage each of us have to be our brother’s keeper. We are happy to allow selfish thought and positions to guide our behaviour. The late great Martin Luther King reminded the world, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
For many Barbadians, a street dweller beaten by misdirected youth or a bad boy murdered who is well known to the Barbados courts may not raise a concern of consequence. However, ignoring injustice anywhere comes with many downsides. If we aspire to creating an equitable, just, and sustainable society, where all individuals can thrive and contribute positively, we have to prioritise a fit for purpose action plan like yesterday.
Do we have confidence in our government and relevant non government organisations to engage in required reform and capacity building initiatives to advance our small society? We have allowed the Zr culture to compromise mainstream society for over 40 years. We are unable to fix potholes on Broad Street and St. Lawrence. We are unable to maintain the school plant to ensure our children access the right to the best education. Do you know we have a non brand name school where the children are currently destine to complete a whole term of online tuition? From all reports teachers have not been as passionate to deliver the best learning via online. Who will suffer because of it? Our next generation of deviant youth. We create the problem and then blame the youts.
We are responsible for the outcomes of our actions. If we create a problem, we must also bear the consequences that come from it.
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