EDITORIAL: Youth in the spotlight
SOME youthful persons are making the news for all the wrong reasons, whilst others rightfully deserve the attention being given.
Too frequently these days, we are seeing the faces of young people splashed across local newspapers as they make their way to court, to face charges in relation to serious crime. It seems that these young accused persons are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
In days gone by, if an accused person was handcuffed and on his or her way to court, waving and smiling would be the last thing on that person’s mind. Most individuals would attempt to shield their faces from the video camera or photographer’s lens. Most individuals would even hang their heads in shame, when heading to court to answer charges in relation to robbery, aggravated burglary, use of a firearm, murder, harbouring a wanted person and the list could go on. However, as video footage is taken of the youngsters as they are escorted to the courthouse by members of the Royal Barbados Police Force, most of them will now smile and wave for the camera, as if they are celebrities, as they take the spotlight.
There is the view of course, that some media houses are glorifying crime by placing these accused persons on the front pages of their newspapers, and this needs to stop. What we need to see now more than ever are positive reports about what our youth, who have chosen to stay on the straight and narrow, are doing. These positive youth need more of the spotlight. Whilst we cannot bury our heads in the sand about our crime situation and the gun violence being perpetuated by a number of wayward youth, we certainly need to see more positive stories in the news, such as the one this week which speaks about the 26 students who won a Barbados Scholarship, as well as the 19 students who were awarded exhibitions this year. We also laud the six recipients of this year’s National Development Scholarships, as well as the lone recipient of a Commonwealth Scholarship, who have all been encouraged to return here and give back to Barbados on completion of their studies abroad. These are young people who are doing their part to uplift society and who recognise the need to contribute to the country in a positive way.
Yes, it may be argued that they may have an advantage being in the “high-flyer” and “go-getter” categories, but given the opportunities out there provided for youth to excel if they truly want to, we must realise that young people are ultimately responsible for the choices they make in life. There are many disadvantaged youth who have made the decision to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make something of themselves, even though their upbringing and environment was not the most conducive. That said, we must teach our children and our youth by extension, that hard work and diligence, respect for self and others, and the development of a good moral character should be placed high on a pedestal, as goals to strive for.
It is time we place the spotlight where it truly belongs. Shine the light on those who are successful. We can also make room for those who are willing to redeem themselves and who are serious about sharing their experiences, so as to save others from a tough, hard, crime-filled life in the process.