We all need to play our part to make SVG a better place

A few weeks ago, I received an emailed message with an attached video link; the link showed (old news) one of Parliament question sessions recorded from St Vincent, dated last year. The video played PM Gonsalves responding to a Member of Parliament‘s (MP) question regarding the Argyle International Airport project.{{more}} In my opinion, I thought the PM had answered the question about the AIA project eloquently. However, the MP in question was clearly not satisfied; he was annoyed by PM Gonsalves’ answers, and it had sparked an aggressive and lively debate between the two members.

Following on, PM Gonsalves also stated that in the first instance, the question was too lengthy and it should have been more condensed, perhaps summarised for that session. As the debate heated up, after a few more minutes I heard the MP say to PM Gonsalves: “I would cut your throat.” Shortly after that threatening remark, PM Gonsalves asked: “Is that a threat?” After that, the Speaker asked the MP to leave the House. In fact, rather than the MP in question apologizing for the outrageous remark, his reaction was even more bizarre and he shouted: “Who are you talking to…do you think I am a child?”

To tell the truth, this incident had left me gobsmacked, as it was not something I had expected to hear from SVG Parliament question session, let alone imagine this in a video recording that would eventually circulate on the social network. PM Gonsalves, you are up against a challenging and disdainful regime and I hope that you would continue your leadership determinedly. I appreciate freedom of speech as I watch and enjoy constructive debates on BBC TV regularly. Furthermore, even if this was just bantering between two colleagues, I wonder what effect this media madness has on SVG society.

Certainly, there is not any doubt in my mind that the crime rates in St Vincent (and the world over) are increasing at an alarming figure. The most recent murder case in St Vincent is evident that the unruliness is spreading to the most influential juvenile citizens of the nation. I urge the Government, prominent leaders of SVG, parents and guardians, you must always be mindful that the consequences of threatening and violent behaviour can impact on the most vulnerable in our society, the youths in particular. As a result, this is making St Vincent an extremely volatile place to live.

In view of this, children are our future; please encourage parents to go back to the traditional upbringing. They should introduce religion at an early age, as it offers a great way to instill some of the important values of life, love, faith, and integrity. In my opinion, I believe in order to set the best childhood foundation, every child should attend regular church service and Sunday school. We should all do our best to protect children from the new automated world we live in, and lead young people into an orderly routine so that they grow up as well balanced adults. The media, TV, newspapers, radio, and schools could highlight this issue; it would help enormously. I am not criticizing anyone, but I believe we all need to play our part to make this world a better place.

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions.”

A L Browne (Ms)

UK