LONG TIME AGO my parents used to visit the Nurses of Holetown and I would meet Ossie Moore in person. It is said Ossie once approached his employer for a raise:
“Magistrate Nurse, pay me more money or else!”
“Or else what, Ossie?”
“I say, pay me more money or else!”
“Or else what, Ossie?”
“Or else I goin’ work for the same thing!”
Believe it or not, our present-day politicians have managed to out-Ossie even Ossie. Week after week their headlines trumpet: “We’re going to get tough on crime!”
“Straighten up”, they seem to be telling the criminals, “or else!”
“Or else what?” ask the criminals.
“Or else we’ll reduce the punishments you now face. No hanging, no lashes, no hard labour, probably community service!”
Same with wayward schoolboys. With teachers fearing for their safety, despite testimonies from experienced teachers, past students, Bajans who have seen the move create chaos in British schools, AG Adriel Brathwaite seems intent to push his own agenda. Or that of our white foreign “human rights” masters.
Let’s clear up a few points here. First, violence does not begat violence. That is a myth. Any of us who dabble in ethology – the study of human and animal behaviour – know that the most peaceful societies are those where there is dominant, and, if necessary, ruthless, leadership at the top. Once this is in place, would-be bullies mind their manners and the most vulnerable can feel safe. Women in Saddam’s Iraq could travel anywhere without fear of rape or molestation.
With weak leadership and ineffectual punishments, the rats come out to play. In Barbados, we’re seeing it with our eyes, we’re hearing it with our ears, and we may get a shot in our tail.
My 11-year-old granddaughter was spending the day in St Philip and watched their carnival. We know what could’ve happened to anyone there. A man was wining behind a woman despite her pleas to stop. Finally, she pulled out a box-cutter and, fearing he might soon be a completely different gender, he left her alone. Effective deterrent.
Secondly, the methods that work with John will not necessarily work with Bad John. Adrian Green tells of good people “raised without a lash”; Anita Delph, of top schools in the US where they don’t flog. All may be true. But W.D. Rudder took children with no interest whatsoever in learning and turned them into successful citizens. They credit the lashes.
Last Sunday, Adrian Green raised the age-old question: should we try to control the symptoms of our problems or should we be getting to the root? The Get Real Man would go for the root. I submit the following for his consideration.
ISIS. Read The Thousand-Year War In The Mideast by Richard Maybury. The root of ISIS can be found in the Crusades; in centuries of oppression by the West; its support for cruel despots; the divvying up of peoples and kingdoms; the taking Arab oil and wealth. How do you quench 1 000 years of hatred? You can’t. Your only recourse is to keep it under control, knowing full well you can’t win in a guerilla war.
Youth waywardness and violence. I say treat the symptoms. Keep the whip in school as a last resort. Hang promptly those wantonly taking human life. But what are the root causes?
How about abusive and neglectful parenting? One-parent families? Poor education, no jobs, ghetto neighbourhoods, inadequate sports facilities, girlfriends demanding expensive gifts, craving for advertised products they can’t afford, easily available guns, drug and Jamaican rude boy culture, gangsta rap, low self-esteem due (according to some) to Lord Nelson, the Queen and white Jesus, slavery, corrupt politicians, sports officials and sports heroes providing bad examples, living in an amoral society, internet porn . . .
Some roots we can tackle. Most, we can’t. Not in this lifetime. Or maybe ever. Controlling symptoms works. In the army, for instance. Likewise ISIS would eliminate our violent crime situation in two weeks.
Sad farewell to one of the nicest, most genuine human beings ever – Simon Charles-Dolcy, former lead singer with Guataka. Gone much too soon.
Thanks to those who after last week’s column sent wreaths, cards, prayers, remedies and in other ways sympathised. It seems there’s life in the old dog yet. As for the rest of me, that’s anyone’s guess.
Richard Hoad is a farmer and social commentator.
Email [email protected]
