CATEGORY:COMMENTARY ------------------------ INSIDE GRENADA THURSDAY July 12,2007 by Lloyd Noel I have to again apologize to readers of this column, for the mix-up last week when the article from the week before was printed - instead of the correct one for that week. The error was apparently caused at the printing source in T&T and the Editor will no doubt make amends this week. Those who get the article on Caribbean Net News did not have that problem, but local readers and those who access the paper’s website were inconvenienced, and I am sorry about that. As we move closer and deeper into the Carnival fiesta - the atmosphere all around the Island of Grenada may seem to be all joyous and festive, and as the calypsoes beat and picong come through the airwaves on Radio and Discos in shops island-wide, any passer-by could easily get the impression that things are on the up and up and people are contented and truly satisfied. But any cursory enquiry would soon paint a different picture, and the painting is very discouraging and even alarming. About a year or so ago we had an up-surge of youth gang violence, and in-appropriate activities that even had the Prime Minister taking direct action in his Constituency. I recall that a special unit within the Police force was actively involved in trying to curtail or curb that social disease - and from some reports I got the Unit was making a difference, and the open confrontations seemed to have abated. In fact, from the very much decreased number of approaches I had, from concerned parents and guardians who sought my legal help when their children were involved - I felt that some serious headway was being made. But in the past two or three months things have again began to raise their ugly heads; and the last two incidents over the same weekend two weeks ago, in the Limes in Grand Anse and Palmiste in St. John, with one young man being chopped to death, and a young woman losing a hand from another chopping incident - have brought the problem out into the open once more. And in addition thereto, in driving home the very critical situation facing our youths and young folks in the tri-Island State now-a-days - I have never had so many applications in writing, from young folks ably qualified to enter the World of work, after five or more years of Secondary School. But what is even more distressing in the past two weeks since my return from London - are the number of phone callers with very, very hard luck stories, seeking some form of work, to help ease the economic pressures at their homes. And as I thought about what those young people were saying, and reflected on the up-surge of the youth violence and anti-social behaviour now gaining prominence Island-wide, I could not help making cross references with the adult trends that are occupying the daily news, and how those must be having some direct influence on the young ones. And in that context I am including both the public and private sectors, where the damages from direct and indirect actions must be affecting those young minds that are unable to see any light at the end of the dark tunnel. I am also including the other social partners, like the Churches and Spiritual Leaders, Trade Unions and other NGOs; and the adult people in general, who (a lot of them) often-times take the position that they do not want to know or be bothered with those young tear-aways - a very short-sighted and negative position in my opinion. To take the last group first. Many of those have brought up very successful families here and overseas, and many are now enjoying their retirement after years of hard work in cold climates - and deservingly so. But I say to them that they - much more than their local counterparts - have a lot to offer from their vast experiences overseas, in the local communities around them where the Social problems are rising. Through whatever medium they may choose, their local Church, School Authority, Sports Clubs, or any other local group - their input can have a lot of influence; and they should not wash their hands like Pilate, because as the situation deteriorates - and it looks like getting a lot worse before it can start getting better - they could end up getting the rough end of a bad situation. The Trade Unions are duty-bound to play a leading role in the unfolding scenario, and this is not just a case of getting better working conditions and higher wages for their members. As a very important social partner representing Labour in the Economic set up of Land, Labour and Capital, The Trade Union Council must ensure its voice is heard and respected by every sector; because if and when the other two aspects are allowed to go their own merry way, and the Land development sector is taken over by the same un-scrupulous Capital providers, whose only interests and concerns are to fleece the people - aided and abetted by corrupt politicians with out-stretched hands and pockets with no bottoms - then the losers will always be the same labourers. We cannot live or exist in to-day’s so-called modern times, without the political structure and all it entails in one form or another. So that when any group or institution in the society, set out to serve or to facilitate adequate services for its members or followers in that society - there is bound to be inter-action and confrontation with other groups and institutions therein. The power-wielders, rulers, and controllers in all the democracies or socialist dictatorships, are Politicians of one shade or another. When they are serving the people, and ensuring Justice and peace in equal shares - you support and applaud them; when they are not and taking advantage of their elite positions - you must oppose them and condemn their actions and clamor for change. That is the duty and responsibility of all groups, NGOs, and whatever Institution that represents or lead people, and all of us as individuals in society. Obviously and understandably, the bigger the group, the more powerful and prestigious the members of the institution, and because of the recognized and respected responsible national and international standing of the said institution - its voices and pronouncements will receive a much greater hearing, and merit deeper understanding and credibility. But if and when those institutions voices are seen as stepping on toes and insteps of suspicious Leaders or Rulers - then so be it, because the voices of the people are the voice of God. And that is where our church and Religious Leaders come into play. They have been far, far, too quiet and almost non-existent in much too long a period, and their silence and in-activity in the field of rising social upheavals, have left a void that those in authority have taken advantage of to the detriment of our society as a whole. So much has been said and written about the actions and behaviour patterns of our Government Ministers - in particular the Prime Minister and his deputy, in matters of financial dealings with known crooks and fraudsters Worldwide. The image and reputation of those elected by the people of those Church Leaders congregation - have been dragged down to the gutter of international dealings, and into Court houses in the two most famous cities Worldwide for very questionable operations. But I have yet to see or hear any public statements from those Church Leaders - and they must know that the Millions of dollars involved in those dealings could make very significant difference to the lives of their flock. I must admit up front, that there are one or two Church personnel who are living up to their calling by speaking for their flock, but because it is one or two, and their colleagues remain as quiet as Church mice, those in authority are always casting crude remarks about those preachers. The time has long since passed by, when those who took up the cross to follow Christ and lead His flock - should have been making their voices heard in the corridors of power, because their young followers especially are on the breadline and going down the wrong way. And if they do not make a desperate effect to try and pick up the pieces, as it were, and turn things around - as us older folks move on into the great beyond, those Leaders will be preaching to empty pews, or juvenile delinquents merely using the Church building for cover. That silence and almost negligence (better known as fear), is no excuse for the powers-that-be who know exactly what they are doing, and who are even sitting in the front rows on Sundays as a means of intimidating the already fearful preachers, so that they stick to the happenings in Palestine two thousand years ago, and say nothing about the atrocities in Grenada in 2007. And those in Ministerial authority, simply to capitalize on the few victims emotional outbursts over the recent re-sentencing hearing - they made all sorts of ridiculous statements about keeping people behind bars for life, while they are on the loose filling their pockets with dirty money and ignoring all calls to step down and account for their stewardship, and so allow the people to decide their guilt or innocence. And recently they have started a campaign to spread rumors about those who see fit to question their behaviour and reckless practices. Suddenly, prominent Lawyers qualifications are being called into question, among other financial nonsense. But that behaviour pattern should not detract anyone from the job ahead - because to do so is equal to giving up the struggle while our once peaceful and decent population is perishing. As for those three chaps who were released two weeks ago, after nearly twenty-four years in prison, they have been going about re-starting their lives in Freedom Street with no problems from anyone. On the contrary, people have been very sympathetic and offering words of encouragement to help them pick up their lives after all those years. It is not that Grenadians have forgotten what took place those many years ago- but they are understanding enough to see and appreciate the whole picture, and accept that the price to society has been paid. Revenge is mine, said the Lord - and they are leaving that part up to Him, as we all would experience in time. As one very close relative of the late “Innocent Belmar” - who was a senior police officer and one of Eric Gairy’s henchmen who spearheaded the “NJM six” brutal beating at Bhola’s junction in Grenville on Nov. 18th 1973 - and who was later killed while he was an M.P. in Gairy’s GULP Government in 1977/78 - called me on the phone, to express her own forgiveness for what happened to Belmar in those heated days of Grenada’s coming of age. She agreed that Belmar was no saint, but his sudden passing left a huge gap in his family’s fortunes at the time. She has managed to survive, and now admire those of us who suffered under the PRG and are to-day begging people to forgive them all, and leave it to the Almighty to be the final judge. I, too, admire her Christian position to let go and let God.