| Editorial |
| For Whom the Machete Swings |
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It was with great alarm and a wave of nausea that we read the news accounts of a schoolyard fight involving a machete and allegedly a gun. We checked once, twice, then checked a third time to make sure the articles said Sandy Point, St. Kitts; desperately hoping it was a Sandy Point in some far off land. Alas, by all accounts the incident occurred at one of our most prestigious high schools which has produced many a scholar and social leader.
What was more troubling than the fact that teen boys resorted to using such weapons to settle a dispute, and on school property no less, was the behavior of some of the parents whose children were involved in the fracas.
Hearing of the carryings-on of one mother in particular, our sense of shock at the child’s conduct abated somewhat, only to be replaced with disgust and anger. It was only then we fully grasped the idiom, “to know the parent is to know the child” for it was not so far-fetched an idea that the child could have adopted the attitude, mentality and behavior of the parent.
The fight itself was serious enough to warrant the involvement of the police…a school yard fight…the police…students ‘arrested’. The school officials are no doubt mortified that their fine institute of learning has become fodder for negative media and public attention. Will the Sandy Point High School now join the ranks of “Iraq” “Vietnam” and other unpropitious names bestowed on the various local high schools? Will students hang their heads in shame whenever someone asks what school they attend?
We can call the incident regrettable, unfortunate, scandalous, egregious, arrant…and the list goes on. But we think the most suitable description of last Tuesday’s incident is “avoidable”. What could have so enraged school children to wield a machete and if media reports are accurate, a gun?
Was anyone aware that these teenagers were walking around possibly seething with hostility and anger just waiting to unleash their fury on the unwitting (or witting) victim of the chopping? Did they display any signs to their peers, teachers, parents, that they were potential murderers? Could this have been prevented with counseling, or harsher intervention?
Most important of all…is it over?
When a young person forsakes all common sense, compassion and regard for another human being, what do we do with him? When he has such hatred in his heart that he could not even wait for the target to finish school for the day before he attacked, do we usher him into Her Majesty’s Prison to befriend hardened criminals who may say “You should have killed him”?
The symposiums, workshops, rallies and all other measures appear to be falling on the deaf ears and blind eyes of our nation’s youth. What are we left with but the love, nurturing and guidance of parents?
Following the incident we heard such questions as, “Where was school security?” “Where were the teachers?” “Where were the police?”
The only question we would like answered is “Where were the parents?” |
