Collected Commentary -Burden of change in role models' hands

Jamaica Gleaner Online
Burden of change in role models' handspublished: Thursday September 4, 2008
Thomas Phinemann, Contributor

As human beings, we have the capacity to achieve outstanding opposites - fame and glory on one hand, and shame, grief and pain on the other. We always have the power of choice.
It is obvious that some of us were not caught up in the euphoria of Olympic glory which propelled people from all walks of life to forget our differences and celebrate our achievements as a nation. Some men continued to rob others of a gift that they cannot give or use to better themselves - the gift of life.
Some will argue that this is nothing new. We all know that. The question is, are we willing to accept this as a way of life? The truth is that some of us have accepted this as the norm. This is why it continues.
Philosophical arguments may relieve the minds of the intellec-tuals among us but, as pragmatists, we ask what we can do to make a difference. But I declare that the murder rate continues to climb, not because of what we are doing or not doing. It continues to rise because most of us are complacent or indifferent. While murderers are intoxicated with boldness, much of civic society is hobbled by frustration and fearfulness.
There is no panacea, as we all know. However, the police can only deal with policing matters. Civilians have a role to play. This is not new information. This is repeated with the hope that repetition will reinforce the point and that it will resonate wider.
Many males are making a difference in men's groups and various civic and religious organisations, but we are not making the impact we should.
Jamaica's men must urgently break the cycle of apathy among them. Some are numb. The pain and loss of loved ones render us incapacitated. But we are not helpless.
Take a stand
We need to take a stand for the sake of the nation's children. As men, we have a duty to teach them that life is sacred. The higher the murder rate, the more urgent and challenging the lesson becomes. Those of us who believe that life is sacred need to be more vocal. We have to keep telling our children that taking another person's life is never the way to settle a dispute or to vent anger, despite the current trends of ego-satiating confrontations among males. Speaking up and speaking out is the least that we can do. Silence is unacceptable.
Fathers and father figures should remind children, especially our boys who are most vulnerable, that we always have choices. We are responsible for our actions.
As the school term gets into full gear, I hope we prepared our children, not only physically, but mentally, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally and socially.
Finally, we must not ignore the power of association. We lead by example, by choosing our acquaintances. We can teach our children to select friends who share common values. As men, let us band together to influence our boys to do good, despite the prevalence of evil.
Can 'a few good men' turn the tide of social decay in Jamaica? Email your views to columns@gleanerjm.com.Copyright Jamaica-Gleaner.com http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080904/news/news4.html