The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

It is a weekday and I am in the Orlando International Airport waiting for Bahamasair flight 238 to taxi into place for a short trip home.

A university graduate this summer, I now work in Georgia further developing the skills I hope to bring to the future University of the Bahamas. While waiting for my flight, I read the online editions of both daily newspapers. It is something I do regularly, but today I am particularly troubled as I read about young Bahamian men dying in record numbers.

Moreover, I think about how my perception of the place I call home has been challenged by a steady stream of reports of violent crimes, particularly in New Providence.

In bewilderment, I try to process what I am reading. “Three men dead in two days in New Providence”, “Couple shot dead in GB”, “22-year-old shot dead in sixth murder in four days”. My heart feels weighted as I think about how many people in our country are affected by such heartless acts of violence. I reflect on the senseless murder of my brother, Craig, in 1999. A crime that left my dad fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of Doctors Hospital.

What is going on? Is it still safe for women to exercise outdoors in the evening? Should I still play basketball after dark? Do I really have to close all the windows in my car even if the air-condition unit is not working? Should I still attend social events at night even if it is not in a hotel? I think we have all asked ourselves similar questions, but maybe I am overreacting.

Certainly we should use common sense and take safety precautions wherever we are, whether in the United States, United Kingdom, the Caribbean or in the Bahamas. With that said, I truly believe New Providence is still a relatively safe place even though at this time, the general perception suggests otherwise. To be honest, I can understand why.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “lethal violence can create a climate of fear and uncertainty”. Social media provides almost instant access to scenes that fuel the perception that violent crime is rampant.

However, while there have been many news stories and social media posts about negative things in our country, there are by far many more positive things to acknowledge and even celebrate.

For example, I smile as I reflect on the achievements of our children in primary and high school. Twelve-year old Charles Hamilton Jr who overcame a speech impediment to win the Bahamas National Spelling Bee, is one of many examples. I can only begin to share how many Facebook messages proud parents have posted about their children’s accomplishments. I also think about the triumphs of sporting standouts: Shaunae Miller who won the women’s 400 metres at the recent IAAF Diamond League in Brussels, Germany and Jeffrey Gibson, national record holder in the men’s 400 metre hurdles.

I consider the many law-abiding, respectful and genuinely caring men, women and younger persons across our society, those who wear seatbelts, say “good morning or good afternoon” as they walk by and find positive ways to show kindness to neighbours, co-workers and strangers. Also, I reflect on the reported and unreported instances when crime was prevented because of the due diligence of law enforcement. There is also the work of non-profit organisations like Hands for Hunger, The Bahamas Crisis Centre, The Salvation Army, The Bahamas Red Cross and many others who work to improve the lives of the people of the Bahamas. Also, the welcoming attitudes of the many hospitality professionals like Eileen and Vernon, who greeted me at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, should be acknowledged. In respect to concerns about corruption, I think about those in and aspiring to governance, across political affiliations, who seem willing to develop a Bahamas guided by integrity in leadership.

I subscribe to the words of a mentor I deeply respect, Dr Myles Munroe in saying, “The Bahamas is the place where God lives.” Not that God is limited to space or time, but rather that our country, our people, subscribe to the principles and values of the Kingdom which Christ spoke of when he walked the earth and shared the good news of a relationship with the Father through His Son.

We will “March on Bahama Land”. I am a proud Bahamian committed to helping to build our families, communities and country by helping to build the individual. Every heart matters.

KIRK JOHNSON

September 21, 2015.