Youth violence has moved to a different level here in Grenada as news from last week still confuses and angers many of us; news involving youth gangs, cutlasses, and innocent people wounded. Cutlasses used in reaction to conflict are common in Grenada however innocent people getting chopped because they are from the same community as the youths involved in the violence is not common. News from the ground says amongst those caught in the middle of the violence were a 13 year old girl and a 70 year old woman. There were no deaths however there were injured and hospitalized victims.
Theo’s initial reaction to the news ‘I glad I don’t have a boy child!” And my reaction to his reaction was if Theo had a son he most likely would not fall prey to the violence all around him because first and foremost he would have Theo as his father, a gentle, present, affirming, accepting, peaceful and emotionally conscious man and role-modal. Theo’s son would have certain privileges bestowed on him from birth such as an economically secure family; Canadian citizenship giving him the privilege of travel, of free health care, of educational opportunities and resources that many of his Village friends do not have; parents that share similar parenting styles which does not include emotional, physical, or psychological abuse; more attention at school due to his lighter skin colour and/or because of the limitless access of books and other learning materials he would be exposed to; and finally if he was born with a physical, behavioural, emotional or learning disability he would have access to opportunities to help him deal with this. Chances are Theo’s imaginary son would make healthy and positive choices as a result of being born into a safe, healthy, and positive environment.
What is my point? Context. When violence occurs many of us don’t have time for context. We want to label, judge, stereotype, blame, create easy answers to very complicated issues. This is understandable in the wake of death, injury, and trauma. Fear and anger are common reactions to violence which further perpetuates a cycle of blame and judgement. How do we, as a global society, as individuals, communities, families, and organizations move to a deeper analyses of conflict, violence, and youth; an analysis that will break this cycle of blame and judgement and help us find non-violent solutions and strategies to address the root causes of violence filling up many of our youths lives and communities?
