If the protest march against violence in the school and community in Anguilla on March 25 was an indication that a serious stand will be taken to stamp out this menace in our society, then there is some reason for hope. It was a welcome sight to see representatives from community groups and the churches marching along with the large number of school children and teachers.

There was however some disappointment that the march lacked the participation of parents and guardians when in fact much of the blame for the indiscipline among our young people points to the home. The absence of these parental figures was regrettable and shows that they and others can really do more to ensure that we do not lose our young people on whom our society is being built.

Violence in all of its forms on the island must be roundly condemned and one must not get tired of speaking and writing against it or otherwise dealing with it because it is a destructive element in our society. The speeches by the various speakers provided much food for thought and there is a need for others to join them at every opportunity to let their voices heard and to be seen in the forefront of the battle to save Anguilla. The challenge facing us is getting bigger, more difficult and complex to handle but according to Reverend Lindsay Richardson, if we become afraid and do nothing, it will overwhelm us.

The society and the home must find ways and means to deal with the growing problem of violence among young people. As a tourist destination and consequently an economy that depends so largely on social stability, we cannot afford the mushrooming of deviant behaviour and restlessness on the island. We are still lucky that the situation is not beyond our control and that those who follow disruptive practices are in their small numbers. This however is hardly any comfort in a tiny island like Anguilla having so long enjoyed the praise of many for its leadership in exemplary behaviour.

It is not too late to do something to redeem the good name of the island and to find ways of effectively stamping out the evils that are overtaking us. In this effort, each person must be his brother’s keeper and be an example of goodness to those who look up to us as role models and are influenced by how we act. We all must strive to do more to save our youth and protect the future of our island.

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