EDITOR, The Tribune

This isn't rocket science, but coming up with an effective remedy for the sad, sad state of violence and chaos engulfing The Bahamas today seems to elude the powers that be by several light years. We are definitely at a fork in the road.

It hurts me dearly to have arrived at the conclusion that I have come to, even if it is not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We all have, and are entitled to, our own perspectives about everything under the sun. Even when some of us might be diametrically opposed to others, regarding certain situations, common grounds of agreements can be --- and have been --- arrived at. My turn at this fork in the road may not be yours. So, here's my reasoning.

To make a turn merely to maintain a certain unity would be hypocritical, when it goes against one's best judgment and sincerity of soul. In fact, it may be one of the significant factors why some youth, in particular, are engaged in their destructive/self-destructive behaviours. Choosing our own course at that fork in the road might not be as independent as it might seem.

In this Bahamas today, where we appear to be rapidly going from bad to worse, there is definitely a need for all right-minded, law-abiding Bahamians to do all that we can to stem the tsunami of lawlessness confronting us daily. Together, that mission can no doubt be accomplished. But, will that necessary level of togetherness ever be attained? From my perspective, the answer to that question is a resounding "no!"

Tsunami, hurricane, forest fire or any other such encroaching disaster ought to afford us some limited time for a sobering and realistic response. Self-preservation demands that we do all that we can to save ourselves, assist others as much as we can, while not ignoring or downplaying the stark reality of the situation.

Around the world, not just in The Bahamas, this upsurge in lawlessness and wanton violence shows no sign of abating. Plus, the various remedies (if and when applied) seem to be little more than bandaids to cover up the gushing gunshot wounds of unconscionable criminality. Nations, high-level leaders, common petty criminals all take advantage of the lack of appropriate consequences to their actions.

While those in charge cannot be everywhere all of the time nor address all the social ills which contribute to the ruthlessness abounding all around us, inaction can be worse than the wrong action, as we negotiate that fork in the road.

For sure, criminals, corrupt officials, facilitators and enablers of all descriptions are emboldened by the lack of adequate, sure and consistent deterrents. Today's news accounts (local and international) only seem to anesthetise us enough to be able to accept the more horrific news accounts of tomorrow. No lines in the sand are drawn, so the new norms become the culture.

When that fork in the road becomes a choice of doing nothing because things will not change, and doing something, but things will still not change, we can retort to a saying I've heard endless times. "Six of one, or half-dozen of the other."

Don Quixote, where are you?

Learning to love ourselves is said to be the greatest love of all. Next in line is to love others as we love ourselves. In this world of reality, though, we must admit that such noble ideals have challenged humanity around the globe for centuries.

In our little Bahamas, the challenge is as astounding as it is perplexing, since most of us are kith and kin, removed by only one or two degrees of separation. So, the best bottom line in this conundrum might proclaim "to thyself be true."

"It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak with a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent, but silence is better than idle words."

We may listen to the noises in the markets. We may look at the bad actors in our midst splendidly going through their performances. Then, we may consider that Time is our most precious possession. How we spend it is our most valuable choice. Should we spend the rest of our time trying to fix people who cannot or do not wish to be fixed?

PreWho knows, perhaps it is possible to reach that unreachable star. But, is that the best use of our limited time left? I see myself at that fork in the road. Do you ...?

MB

February 2024