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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Community
" This can be changed, and force is NOT the answer. If we continue the eye for an eye principal no one will have any eyes." TheBahamasWeekly.com has once again selected Bahamians to canvas their opinions on highlights of The Bahamas over the year 2013, as well as ask about the direction of the country. Their comments will be shared over the coming weeks. Through this exchange we hope to also highlight Bahamians in our community, and share their personal triumphs, that may or may not have made the news. Here is the opinion of Ms. Garnell Limperes-Dawkins. 1) What event do you feel was the most important for The Bahamas in 2013? The number houses and the Christian Counsel was a controversial issue and is still a bit confusing to me with. It's interesting how we invest so much into "hoping" we win some money, instead of putting 1 dollar a day towards a school program or into our kids, or even ourselves. Some may claim they have won in numbers, and I never play so I can't comment on the benefits. I try to focus on the positive in situations, and look at common denominators. There is so much under the table that we don't really discuss the real reasons why certain things are accepted, and with conflicting issues, it really doesn't match up to what we as a Nation stand for, or claim. It's confusing, one day the number house was open, then it was closed, but then people are parked outside the number houses, and police are passing by the number houses. It's not as if they don't know, but isn't it illegal? If we can't come to a conclusion on a matter such as this, which is pretty intense in the way we "raise our country" on the whole (principals & morals), are we really surprised in the direction we're headed in? WHO ARE WE, AND WHAT DO WE STAND FOR AS A NATION? It's come to the point, that I hear things and I don't even really pay attention. You hear 5 different versions of the same story and none of them are really correct. Let's stop talking about what we could do and DO something productive. If you like to play numbers, how about also investing 1 dollar into a program ... or if you are a Christian person, same principal applies, how about investing 1 dollar into a program, the same way you would put some money in the basket. See what I'm saying? The blame game is kinda done and over with. 2) Who passed away this year that you feel will be 'most missed' and why? One person that specifically stands out for me personally would be Mr. Versatile because he was a conscious musician whose life was tragically taken by a police officer and the event seemed to be just “swept” under the rug. This is not an attack on persons in the force, it’s an overall matter of principal, as I will explain. I don’t know that Mr Versatile will be “most missed” per say in the Bahamas … but he left behind 2 young children. Many focus more on the exterior of the individual and stigmatize one for a number of reasons, but I think this is an individual who deserves the respect, and more so the awareness of this tragic murder, could be a drive for many families who have been in the same situation to stand up … to say enough is enough. There were many who stood up, but like many other situations like this, it seems to just go “out of sight, out of mind.” So does this not then cause more lack of respect to authority … our “protectors” because a person was unarmed, and shot from the back in front of many witnesses? Are we really surprised when many of the actions seem to only work when being forceful on many levels? Then we have people who think they are “man” and take actions into their own hands. Because they feel no one will listen to them, because they are being attacked. Of course it goes way deeper than this, but I feel I’ve skimmed the surface on why I think this is an important “death” that should not be forgotten. And this story speaks for all the families that have been victimized in any way due to senseless crime (solved and unsolved), and these patters accepted as “it is what is is”. There are many people who will be missed that we never even hear about. It’s one thing to get the information and skim the surface. It’s another thing to take the time out to actually talk to the families. To see how so many lives have been affected due to the same issues, and patterns. This can be changed, and force is NOT the answer. If we continue the eye for an eye principal no one will have any eyes. 3) Who was the 'most inspirational / influential Bahamian' in 2013 and why? Many people played inspirational / influential roles in the Bahamas this year. No specific person stands out to say really made an “impact” I believe on a level that really would change the direction of the Bahamas on a huge scale where it would be noticed on a national or international level, that would really help change the direction for the Bahamas. (My answer kind of merges with question 7). 4) 2013 was the country's 40th anniversary of Independence. What stood out for you in way of commemorating this event? I did not notice anything out of the ordinary for this 40th Independence except there was a lot of promotion and what not. Overall, I did not notice a pickup of community events, or any drastic changes to say “this is a very important year” … and why. Maybe in the school system there was more of an impact and studies on our Bahamian history. 5) 2013 may have been one of the worst years ever for crime in The Bahamas. What are your thoughts and suggestions? I am not fully aware of the statistics in the past years due to crime per say. From my observations, I find it very shocking and a bit like “really?” that we should be surprised though. When you have little to no places for persons to spend quality time - when we were are raised in a society where you need to “be a man”, “do a woman’s job”, high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, poverty, stealing, there is a reason for all of this … Would people show up to these recreational activities if they were available? Yes, they would. But, you have many families who are not financially stable, and so this effects the participation of many youth. Because of this … you find many kids being idle throughout the days … weekends … summers … while their parents are out working. Many kids come from family households witnessing verbal, if not also physical, abuse. These are many factors which contribute to crime. Many of the bigger businesses who have the capability in investing or sponsoring certain community programs often stand back and observe, as well as many government programs. To some extent is understandable, as not to be “labeled” on a failing or stigmatized product. Yet, this has a huge impact on the progress of the community itself. We believe in blind faith, but we don’t even believe in ourselves. We have to see results before we invest in ourselves, and work together for a common goal … to help PREVENT MORE CRIME … for ALL OUR FAMILIES. At some point we have to put politics and religion and race and all the other blah blah reasons why we CAN’T progress, and start listing all the ways we CAN see change for the better of all. Often we need someone to lead the way, but at the same time, when we rely on others, we start having more excuses. ie. "Well the PLP said they were going to do this … well that’s the fault of the FNM.” We need to start to ALL start INVESTING TIME in one another, it’s all really quite simple. CHANGE starts with US. If 10 people together planted a vegetable each, all the fruit that comes from all the vegetables would be enough to feed all their families, and maybe even sell some off to help pay bills. It's really seems so logical and a bit baffling why it hasn’t really caught on. Many times I wonder, how many more families have to be effected by death and suffering have to happen in order for action to really take place in a positive way? Is this even possible? 6) Is there an 'unsung hero' you feel should be recognized from 2013 or prior? If so, who and why? I think there are many ‘unsung heros’ … many are the ones we will never hear about. The ones who don’t care about recognition or being in the spotlight … these are the ones outreaching … the ones who even spend hours after school to help their students get an A on their test. All these “little people” I feel are the ones who should be appreciated and recognized … the ones who take the time to invest in OUR FUTURE. The artists, musicians, etc., all persons who promote a positive message in these times where there is so much sorrow and crime and negative energy. It starts with leading by examples, and empowering people, and that is when the change comes. You can’t force people to change - it must come from within. 7) Do you have a Personal Highlight for 2013? We had a great 1st Island Waves: Creative Arts Summer Camp in Abaco at 3 different locations for a week each, focusing on art, creative writing/poetry, dance, music, mixed martial arts, and much more. This year I reached out and networked with like-minded empowering persons throughout the Bahamas and the world. That kind of keeps me fueled, even when you hear about all the destruction going on around us. There is still hope, despite the contradictions. Garnell Limperes-Dawkins was born in Nassau to a teacher (Patti Limperes) and a fisherman/musician (Garnet Stuart), she grew up and resides in Abaco. Her parents were both members of Funk Connection (Abaco People, Funky Soul Down in Abaco) who both died before she reached the age of 20. In finding healthy ways of expressing herself, and to forgive, love, and let go, she started taking courses related to community outreach and attended Duke University ( Empowerment for Social Workers Credential Training ). In her community she is a peer leader and mentor; a volunteer at the YMCA, swimming instructor; and is a private piano teacher/school music & crafts teacher in Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay, Sandy Point; she is founder/president of Island Waves International: C4 Studios (Creative Community Cultural Centre); and is a classical pianist /smooth sounds: plays for wine tastings, art shows, fine dining, special events); a spoken word/poet who has written for the Abaconian, NU Womans Magazine, a few Caribbean magazines, and will be heading a new online magazine called Icon360 which will have spreads featuring Island Waves & international talent starting in 2014; I am a community/youth activist. She can be contacted at islandwaves.c4@gmail.com
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