A Dose of Reality

Photo taken from Sknvibes.com: Shooting on June 27 in McKnight takes
the count up to 16 homicides in St. Kitts-Nevis for the year

It was about 10pm last night, I was sitting outside on the porch by a friend's place when we heard the pop-pop-pop-pop-pop in the far distance.  In that moment I did not know what I was hearing.  It sounded like firecrackers or something to me.  My friend's cell phone went off immediately. Word spreads quick around here, especially with matters like this.  If you hear gun shots in Toronto (which I never have in the three years that I've lived there), it could be anyone. When you hear gun shots in St. Kitts, it could be one of your own.  Someone's brother, son, boyfriend, father, friend. The reality is that in St. Kitts, gang violence is far too prevalent among young men. In the month and half since I've been here there have been five recorded shootings that I can recall, including one that occured just down the street from where I'm staying.  One boy as young as 17 died as a result of one of these drive-by shootings, and yesterday's episode left one man dead and three wounded.

I say this not to frighten or discourage anyone, and I myself still feel safe in the company I keep, because the locals know where you should and should not be at a given time of day.  It does, however, keep me from falling complacent and reminds me that there is a darker side to this beautiful island. 

In speaking with people here about the issue of gang violence, many say the same thing. There is a need for a change within the culture of how young men are raised, how they see and value themselves, and how their anger, aggression, and conflict can be dealt with in ways where lives do not have to be lost.  We need more avenues for our young men (and as I say it, my mind thinks also to the young adolescent boys in Toronto whom I work with.  Different cultures and circumstances, but I believe the general need is the same).

Some things do shock me though. For instance, there is one prison system here for all ages.  For example, you could go in for something minor at 17 and end up staying in a cell next to a murderer (from what I understand).  There is an absence of any sort of Family Court and rehabilitation programs are few, with significant challenges in implementing them.  It makes me wonder how anyone could be successful under such conditions, and I hear from Child Protection Service Workers and Probation Officers that it is a struggle for those who work on behalf of children and youth to find solutions.  Much to be addressed, much work that will always need to be done.

Below are two music videos of local Kittian artists Infamus and Nicha B.  Their lyrics speak to the gang violence that plagues the Twin Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis. In the first song, Infamus mourns the loss of his good friend and well-loved local Kittitian DJ (Jamie 'Big Ship' Williams) who was shot and killed earlier this year in April.  In the second song,  Nicha B' speaks to the symbolism of the "white sheet" that is used to cover fatal homicide victims.