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phosphorusMinister of Internal Affairs Mia Mottley called on Barbadians to collectively reflect and unite, especially in light of the rise in gun violence. Her remarks came as Barbadians paused at noon today to reflect, pray for peace in the country and observe five minutes of silence to reflect on the issue of violence in the country.
While watching the parade of bands participating in the 2024 Junior Kadooment Festival at the National Botanical Gardens in Waterford, she told the media that the obsession with guns by a minority of people threatens the country that the people of Barbados know and love.
“Because we have now reached the point where a minority cannot take away the Barbados that we know, cannot take away the Barbados that we love, because of their loyalty to the gun. Guns don’t walk; guns don’t talk,” the Prime Minister said.
Motley drew a sharp contrast to historical injustices, noting that the current crisis is something the U.S. has the power to change. “Unlike slavery, which was something that was imposed on us, we have the power to make the choice, to make the change, to give up guns, to stop being dependent on guns. That starts first.”
Quote lyrics from Alison Hinds’ hit song of 2016 Unity“Arguments, fights and wars must stop,” she said, stressing the importance of reducing anger and anxiety in society, stressing the need for counselling and support. “Arguments and fights start there… There is too much anger and anxiety. If we know a person needs help, there is a problem; there is counselling, there are doctors. At the same time, if we are capable of thinking independently, then let’s not get into stupid arguments and fights. It’s not worth it.”
The Prime Minister called on the nation to sing a song of peace and unity, stressing that these values should be echoed in every home and community. “So this has to be the mantra, it has to be the slogan, it has to be the chorus in every home and every community across the country. If we start from this point, then those who are committed to violence and guns will be increasingly isolated. As we say, we need people to stand up.”
Prime Minister Mia Mottley attends the 2024 Teen Kadooment event.
She further stressed the importance of early intervention and community support. “In the sense that don’t wait until something happens to hold your belly and cry, you need to act early. That’s the simplest, the simplest, the most direct message. We want these young people who are in (Junior) Kadooment to have a better Barbados. We want them to be able to enjoy this country the way we did when we were kids. We shouldn’t be afraid to move around and do things in this country. The only way we can do that is if the majority says that this is not the direction we want to go.”
She reiterated the urgent need for change, concluding: “There are too many guns, too much violence, too much anger, too much anxiety. Let’s stem the tide.”
Mottley recalls the traditional Barbadian values of patience and defusing conflict. “The ability to quarrel and fight, to walk away, to not get angry easily – these are the Barbadians I know. People would laugh at Barbadians, saying Barbadians walk away after a fight. Barbadians don’t lose their temper with others like that. It’s just our character.”
She further stressed the importance of early moral foundations and community involvement. “Now, with the ability to want to solve everything on your own, life is no longer like that. So we have to train, and that’s why we commit our children to go back, whether it’s Sunday school, mosque or whatever. Even if they don’t go there as adults, they have to have what Barbadians call the early necessities of life.”
Mottley stressed the role that members of various communities play in promoting a culture of peace and understanding.
“They have to have a foundation. I talk to people across the country hoping they can see how we in our communities get people to understand the basic difference between right and wrong, to understand from the perspective of our religious beliefs, whether it’s Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Rastafari, whatever it is, the foundation is there.
“Because all these religions teach us the virtues of being kind to others, caring for one another and knowing right from wrong,” she said, calling on the people of Barbados to play their part in creating a peaceful society.
“Now, at the end of the day, it’s the role of parents; it’s the role of aunts; it’s the role of godparents; it’s the role of grandparents; it’s the role of neighbors; it’s the role of communities; it’s the role of sports groups and cultural groups; it’s the role of everybody to be able to tell everybody, let’s get this off our chest, let’s talk to each other. Those prepositions that I talked about earlier this week are important. Talk to people, not to people, not to talk, certainly not to talk.” (RG)
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