The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

“Together we create gardens of possibility in the parched earth. If we grow the babies up right, they just might redeem us all.” Imani Perry, professor of African American Studies, Princeton University.

The artist proudly showed off photographs of his latest creation: a life-sized sculpture of Pompey, the leader of the 1830 slave rebellion on Exuma, replete with scars from brutal whippings on his back. Less than an hour later: a conversation with an adorable, smartly dressed,uniformed four year old who, among other things, is sharing a moving story of being beaten by her teacher for not having memorized lines.

One could write a well-documented book tracing the legacy of cruel and unusual punishment for even the most minor infractions in Bahamian society: from the horrors of chattel slavery that ended more than 175 years ago to officially sanctioned corporal punishment exacted on children by those charged with instilling in them both a joy of learning and enduring values designed to ensure the future of our country.

However, that is not my goal. My hope is simply to ask the reader to seriously consider our sanctioning of antiquated, even barbaric, disciplinary policies in our schools, especially ones that serve only to help perpetuate a culture of violence in The Bahamas.

What will it take to not only outlaw corporal punishment, but also to put in place more humane, clinically sound methods of disciplining our children, methods which recognize their humanity and protect their rights? We must stop dehumanising the innocent and imbuing them with values that run counter to those held dear by modern, civilised nations.

As you weigh the above, consider the following: First, in 1989, the Bahamas officially became one of 193 signatories to principles outlined in the 1959 UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Among other things, the Declaration states that “The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him [and her] to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.”

The Declaration further states that “for the full and harmonious development” of their personalities, children need “love and understanding,” and notes that they shall be given an education which promotes their “general culture” and provides opportunities for them to develop their “abilities...individual judgment...and sense of moral and social responsibility...to become a useful member[s] of society.”

Without doubt, corporal punishment inhibits such human development.

Second, both religious and lay leaders frequently refer to The Bahamas as “a Christian nation”.

Given this, it is understandable that Biblical arguments are used to justify the corporal punishment of children.

For example, Proverbs 23:1315 states, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol [Hell].”

However, to those for whom this admonition makes sense, remember, too, that the Bible states, in 1 Peter 2:18, “Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel” and, in Ephesians 6:5, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” Think about it. Think carefully about it.

We are a 21st century nation, one in the process of crafting Vision 2040, a 25- year national development plan. As we move forward, each citizen’s humanity must be honoured. In particular, the rights of the young and innocent must be safeguarded and our children our most treasured resource must be treated with the love and dignity they deserve. As the Preamble to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) states: “[hu]mankind owes to the child the best it has to give.”

Sparindarod Donsperldachile

Nassau,

July 8, 2016.