By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – A press release attributed to the ministry of equity, Friday, September 2, 2022, calls for the “resolution of conflicts and differences without the use of violence,” seems reliant on divine solutions that are currently vain to address sophisticated methods of rising crime on Saint Lucia.
“The minister for equity, social justice and empowerment Joachim Henry is again lamenting the callous view of, and lack of appreciation for life, exhibited largely by the nation’s youth, that he says has resulted in the wanton and senseless acts of crime and violence in Saint Lucia,” the release continued. “The minister’s comments come on the heels of mounting incidents of gun and other violent crimes that have so far left a significant number of Saint Lucians dead,” noted the ministry of equity.”
“As a nation, we desperately need to remind the people who are engaging in these senseless acts of violence that LIFE, as we know it, is naturally short for all of us and that we are only making it even shorter when we constantly turn to the gun and cutlass and other violent means to resolve conflict,” according to minister Henry, reflecting “on the relatively small population of the island and bemoaned the fact that as a country, so many of the nation’s promising individuals with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to society, were being cut short due to needless and senseless acts of violence.”
Minister Henry continued: “We are not a large population. On the world scene, there are just a few of us here on island and a handful in the diaspora. We are not a nation at war for gold, oil, other natural resources or at conflict with other nations. Based on that fact, the killings we are witnessing on an almost daily basis are absolutely not necessary and must stop.”
However, albeit the latter and to “bemoaned” – the minister with responsibility for ecclesiastical affairs, said the release, “went on to underscore the precious nature of life,” noting that, “life is a gift from God, and that humans were not created to take the lives of other humans,” reiterated his call “on all in society to learn to resolve conflicts and differences without the use of violence.”
Conversely, minister Henry said: “ His ministry will continue to spare no effort at designing and implementing social interventions that will steer people and the most vulnerable in society away from crime and violence.”
Meanwhile, the island’s homicide death tally (September, 3) stands at 49 and is perhaps heading to another record year for crime and violence, in many aspects, are counterproductive to quality of life, economic advancement and national development.
In short, a country unable to seriously and vigorously address national security, healthcare and the economy is at risk of social and economic deprivation, irrespective of economic projections.
More than just words, religious connotations and passiveness is required at this junction in Saint Lucia. Heads must roll, and change must come now – from decisive leadership. And in many cases – shuffling the deck of cards, and/or breaking eggs to make an omelette is advisable; regardless of feelings and emotions.
To paraphrase a former politician – Let me fill the bellies of the people, while you seek souls for God.
The time is now at hand to proffer solutions from those who are employed by the state and sworn to duty, to protect and to serve. If not, they are all unjustified and ought to be fired – for a renaissance to emerge.
