The Bahama Journal Editorial:

There is no gainsaying the conclusion that there has been no letting-up in the extent to which some Bahamians are prepared to go as they let loose on each other’s persons and property.

In the mix-up, people are being hurt; in other instances, the victims are the children themselves as they succumb to the cruel ministries of their parents. And yet again, some of the children take the violence to their schools and to the streets of this crime-cankered and blighted nation.

But even as we decry things as they are, there are signs galore to suggest that, things might get even worse; this as our nation’s leaders try one stratagem after the other.

But clearly, crime persists not only because it has a fertile source in that fountain –namely the human heart – from which so much evil is vented; but because of another fact – this one being that, crime – simply put – pays.

Evidently, while the wages of sin might be death, there is no reason to believe that crime does not pay. Indeed, there is evidence galore here in these Bahamas to support and sustain the conclusion that crime invariably brings with it handsome rewards.

But while this might well be so, we are convinced that it need not be so in a land where so many hypocrites and crooks routinely flout the law of God and of man; while all the well professing as loudly as ever how they do believe in the rule of law and in God’s inerrant word.

Today, these thoughts come to mind as we reflect on the general situation in our land that has most Bahamians in a state of conniption as they try to deal with the canker-like work of criminals salted throughout their communities.

Here the report in the wind has to do with crimes like rape, burglaries, robberies, thefts of the petty and grand alike; and for sure, there is that macabre litany that has to do with the name, date and circumstance surrounding the latest homicide victim.

And then, there are those other crimes that are routinely lumped together and described as being egregiously brazen; here the reference being made has to do with crimes like the ones that take place in broad daylight – crimes that invariably shock the public because of how bold the heists happen to be in their conception, design and execution.

And now, with but a handful of days to go before this year ends, those of us who make it our business to reflect on matters such as these are today obliged to wring our hands in despair; this as the rate at which crime spirals going ever faster.

And as the crime rate soars, it seems as if the only morticians and other such persons working in Death’s penumbra could possibly stand to benefit from the extent to which Bahamians are killing each other.

And as we are wont to remind any and all who would be reminded, the fact remains that there are very many other ways in which Bahamians are hurting themselves and others.  In this regard, we have suggested [and here on more than one sad occasion] that closely related to crimes such as murder and suicide is that dark specter that comes forward in the guise of rage.

And so it happens that, once rage is directed outwards, its logical conclusion is murder; when directed inwards, suicide beckons.

But for sure, while rage might serve as a stand-in for a deeper kind of social analysis; we readily admit that in and of itself, this is but one ever-ready depiction of what has been happening for such a long time now as this or that community disintegrates.

And yet again, we have – while in search of an explanation- suggested that in and of itself, crime is little more than, the fever chart of a very sick society.

We would also venture that, while this ‘explanation’ by way of link to health might well push us in the direction of better ways of dealing with the problem; this too might not be sufficient.

With this in mind, we hereby suggest that, today’s Bahamas might well provide the world with a key study as to why and how – despite easy access to money – there yet remains a profound crisis of the spirit now pervasive throughout the land.

In this regard, then, there is that very real possibility that, today the Bahamian people are grappling with what might be described as ‘the forces of evil, wickedness in high places and with principalities and powers.

As such, we may have – with our idolatry of money and things – allowed free rein to sin, wickedness, deviance and crime; thus our ongoing battles with our myriad of social challenges.

Those struggles continue.

Here we know that – with God’s help -- we shall overcome some day.

December 22, 2010

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Caribbean Blog International