Bermuda, I am submitting this oped as an independent operator as I am no longer an active member of either political party.
Having been a political commentator for a decade, I find it difficult not to share my views on this most pressing topic. Having two teenage
boys, this subject literally hits home.
Every one of us is challenged to come to terms with how our tiny prosperous nation has deteriorated to average between five to seven
murders per year since approximately 2009. Although this number may not seem like much, we are a tiny island compared with almost every
other nation on earth.
Without careful scrutiny, these numbers are deceptively misleading. They have led us to deceive ourselves that things are not that bad.
After all, other jurisdictions within the Caribbean and South and Central America have double and triple-digit annual numbers, not to
mention jurisdictions within gun-infested ‘inner cities’ of America.
However, we conveniently forget that our tiny size is an important variable. When compared with the US (5.8 murders per 100,000), we are
averaging about the same number and we are more than double the rate in Canada (2 murders per 100,000).
Buckle up, the analysis from here forward is quite shocking. The open dirty little secret is that almost 100% of the victims and
caught perpetrators of these killings are black men and boys. Their ages tend to range from 16 and topping out at around 35 years old.
The data suggests that this demographic accounts for about 4500 to 5000 (7 – 8%) of Bermuda’s total population. Given that the murder rate is almost exclusively among them, they are averaging 9 murders per 5000 or a staggering 180 murders per 100,000 people annually. Bermuda, reflect on that number soberly.
I did some more research to put this into perspective. During the peak insurgency of the Iraq war in 2006 – 2007, deaths resulting during the conflict was at 100 to 150 per 100,000. The high point in the conflict in Syria between 2014 to 2016 the killing rate was 150 – 200 per 100,000. The same number was recorded during the South Sudan conflict between 2015 – 2017. In 2022, during the height of the Russian
invasion of Ukraine the killing rate was 50 – 100 people per 100,000 depending on the region.
If these numbers are not disturbing enough, consider that a black boy or man between the age of 16 – 35 years of age in Bermuda is confined to only 21 sq miles where all of the murders are taking place. Baghdad is approximately 260 sq miles, Kyiv is 324 sq miles, Damascus is 41 sq miles and Juba is 20 sq miles.
So in three out of the four of those jurisdictions our young Black boys and men are up to 30+ times more likely to be in the line of fire. Everyone of us should stop and let that sink in for a minute! We should also ask what level of stress does this impose upon a Bermudian
for finding himself being young, black and male within this country, whether he’s directly involved in gang life or not?
I am putting this into perspective for those of us who console ourselves by looking at the single digit murder rate numbers in isolation. In relative terms, our sons and brothers are literally on the front lines of a war zone scenario, comparable to the most violent ones the world has witnessed in modern times. The size of Bermuda says there is nowhere to run or hide. Involved or not, chances are you are
going to know the killers and murdered victims if you happen to fall within that demographic.
Within only 21 sq miles, they dare not move about freely or they can find themselves trespassing in enemy territory. At this point, they can not be standing on the sidewalk or in any establishment because the killers are coming regardless. Care has to be taken as to who to
befriend because a friend of my enemy is now my enemy. You may find yourself a target if you happen to be related to an enemy. Sadly,
video game addiction is not only a passion but it is also a safe refuge for them.
With the spotlight now shining on the situation, it is not hard to see why a kill-or-be-killed sub-culture is growing while the rest of us
helplessly, obliviously or willfully look on. The data is telling us that Bermuda’s young black men and boys are in a zone more dangerous
than war zones across the world. The most recent murders took place execution style within a block of our main police station.
It is breaking news across the media with Police updates and then we unforgivably go back about our business on our tiny beautiful island oblivious to the tightening noose of this reality. There is no significant national outcry and no national commitment to ending it.
The United Nations is not being demanded to intervene. There is no talk of genocide, there is no talk of atrocity. All we do is smile and
wave to our tourists while the carnage of our boys and men openly rages on.
The intent of this oped is to disturb all of us into action. The situation is that bad. We cannot continue to live like this and we cannot raise our sons in this condition of relentless trauma, while
the rest of us are oblivious to the facts.
Now that the truth has been laid bare, the train must be set in motion to rid our country of this scourge. Our sons, brothers and fathers
are not disposable. The challenge must be thrown down to our entire Government; in particular the Governor, Premier, Minister of National Security and the Attorney General. This carnage is unacceptable.
Whatever is necessary to be done must be done to stop it. It starts with our collective national commitment to do so. Our young boys and
men that are doing well must be encouraged to continue. Those directly involved in gang style killings need to be confronted with the bitter
truth and consequences for becoming the enemy within.
Bermuda, what is now certain is that going forward, it can not be business as usual. Otherwise, consider this a national warning about an inevitable future that none of us want to be a part of.
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