30 Minutes Of Solidarity: “Our Sons Matter”
At 12 noon this coming Thursday [Dec 18], members of the Mt. Zion AME Church, along with others, will be staging “30/30 Thursday: 30 Lives/30 Minutes of Solidarity: Die-In Event.”
Saying that since 2003 Bermuda has lost 30 young men to gun violence, the Church said they will stage a “Community Die-in” as a “show of community solidarity that we value our sons” and to say “we refuse to accept as a norm our sons killing our sons in our community.”
The full statement from the Church is below:
This coming Thursday members of Mt. Zion AME Church along with others we will be staging “30/30 Thursday: 30 Lives/ 30 Minutes of Solidarity: Die-In Event”
As you are well aware, since 2003 Bermuda has lost 30 of our sons to gun violence, 87 % of those senseless deaths have taking place since 2009 [in the last 6 years].
This coming Thursday at City Hall we will gather at 11:45 and at 12 noon we will stage a “Community Die-in” as a show of community solidarity that we value our sons and to say…
- We refuse to accept as a norm our sons killing our sons in our community.
- We refuse to accept as a norm indifference and numbness towards the tragic loss of ours sons to gang and gun violence.
- We refuse to accept as a norm the devaluing of our lives by those who do not value their own.
- We refuse to let cynicism, hatred, hopelessness, violence and the gang culture to go unchallenged in our community and in our homes.
30/30 Thursday will unfold as outlined below.
- There will be a statement of Purpose [a version of the statement of above]. There will be no speeches
- Every minute for 30 minutes we will call out a name of a shooting victim and declare that their lives mattered [1 min for every victim].
- We will close with a prayer for…
- The families of the victims
- Our law enforcement,
- Community Solidarity
Finally, a statement to remind the the wider-community that the Churches arms and doors are always open and that the Church is a positive force for prevention and to considers the Church as a safe space for the youth and their families. We provide…
- spiritual support and life skills
- opportunities to serve
- meaningful fellowship
- encouragement and comfort
- and we have a variety of ministries that seek to meet the needs of people holistically
While this going on their will be people lying on the City hall lawn/sidewalk [Die-In] symbolizing the dead bodies of those who have been killed in our streets.
We can reduce the menace of gangs in our society by participating in various anti gang programs such as: Organizing sports for youthsOrganizing drama and activities that offers alternatives to gangs.Provide gang and drug prevent guides and training for youths. The youths youth to know about gang related problems, death statistics resulting from gang fight and gang crimes and what the future have for gang members (negative gains of being a gang member)The government have a lot to play in stopping gang problems in our society. The government should provide support services that will help to counsel gang members who are willing to denounce their gang membership and also offer protection for such persons.The government should setup a community policing patrol system or a neighborhood police watch program that will inform people of graffiti, gang members and territories. This will in not small measure help to stop the spread of gangs in our society.Parents have a big role in the fight against gang in our society. Parents should try and educate and open communication with their children to stop them from joining violent gangs or hanging around with gangsters.
The church keeps its head deeply in the sand regarding the direct effects of drug prohibition on gang activity, as does gubment. Prohibition is a failed-model-scenario, every time since the first prohibition known, that forbidden fruit.
A controlled, regulated and taxed system will eliminate the gangs business, and the gangs. The revenue produced, and money saved not fighting the War on Drugs, can help people with drug problems. Drug use is a medical issue, not a criminal issue. Peace!
yet more pointless talking and empty actions get out into the communities and work with these young men to try and direct them away from the gang life. This event will change nothing!
This is true, while the event in and of itself does nothing, it provides a medium of support and sparks conversation. I personally feel that in Bermuda as well as around the world , issues such as this are allowed to permeate societies because one faction is too busy criticizing another faction instead of uniting. Go to the die-in and start conversations on more that can be done. Use the actions that seem to be pointless and make them into something effective. But hey I’m just a 19 year old black bermudian male living in new york that has to deal with social injustices of all kinds every day, so what could i know?
Well said.
Can you give us some examples of these terrible social injustices you face every day ?
And why are you still there putting up with it ?
@Toodle-oo
Recent decisions by grand juries have proven a well known fact, it is more of a crime to kill a dog than it is to kill a man, if in fact he is white.
I attended a high school that “leveled” meaning separated students based on their intellectual abilities, the only problem was there was no written criteria for the assessment of students or the caliber of work they were expected to perform. This split the school in three – AP/Honors, Level three (which was referred to as “normal”) and level 2 (the slow kids) this was the reality of the school, how our teachers talked about us and how we were taught.
The result of this was a “game” that one of our teachers who advocated for ridding the school of this senseless system, a game where we would walk around the school, peer into classrooms and “guess” which level the class was- the more blacks in the class the lower the level, this was true almost 100% of the time. As a result there was lots of hostility towards faculty as students rightfully assumed that they were being mistreated.
In the city of new york, the land of hopes and dreams blacks and latinos are stopped and frisked – mind you this is unconstitutional – at levels that far exceed those of white counterparts because they are “more likely to have drugs or a weapon” (mind you blacks and whites consume drugs at largely the same rate).
In the sate of new jersey (which has one of if not (THE) largest prison disparities in the US black males have a 1 in 3 chance of being arrested. even though they are the minority.
i have been stopped and harassed by police officers countless times asking me where i was coming from, who i was with, where i was going, which all seems harmless until you make one mistake and find yourself in questioning for “suspicious activity”
and these are just a few, i hope it assists in putting my comments in context.
How about sticking to a BDA context as opposed to citing US statistics for a Bermuda issue?
@WWatcher I have to agree with your comments but would like to add my own, This is a blatant true example of sure ignorance and stupidity in the highest degree.If churches in this country along with all concerns citizens really want to really do something,let us start with the bull crap that is dividing us to begin with. It is not racism believe it or not, it is the economic pie, when we take a reality check on looking back to come forward and were we started out pricing ourselves in the market, retail sales, accommodations and any and every item you can purchase through sale, when a second and third job, along with a second pension was no longer a benefit but part of taking care of your liabilities, when we became so outrageously expensive to live or survive, when a weeks salary use to be your rent and you survived on the other three weeks, now three weeks and four weeks salary dont even cover some peoples rent, without them having to work a second or third job or have another able adult to help shoulder the burden, did I mention the fact with all that I said I have not even began to factor in the cost of raising a child or children
So let me come from having my head in the sand of yester year and deal with were we are headed, The america’s cup is coming in 2017, the Princess hotels are upgrading their hotels, the old Sonesta property has been purchased,but no hotel is required to be built back on that site, Morgans point will not be geared toward the middle class or lower as far as hotel accommodation,Marina’s for private yachts from Hamilton harbor to Dockyard to Morgans point, all for the rich and wealthy,everything that has been mentioned of late in the last 2 years is not geared toward the middle class, and don’t give me the crap that this is job producing avenues for Bermudians, because we still have far to many foreigners doing jobs here that Bermudians can and should be doing.
As you can see I can go on and on, but what does this have to do with our sons killing each other, well if you have to ask then your just as ignorant as the fools that are trying to make the majority believe they have our best interest at heart, banks are allowed to call in mortgages and resale the property far below market value, leaving the previous owner still owing money far beyond what should have been allowed by the court of law, real estate agencies doing what ever it takes to sell of properties and claiming that it is a true market value based on our current economic climate, it is all about cut throat, making money by any means, so you want the young folk to follow who.So if the church want take on a real issue, please start at the top before dealing with the fall out on the bottom, our society is headed towards removing the middle class altogether and all we can do is point our finger at the band aid cover a huge festered deceased open wound.
I don’t condone any of this damn shooting but where you think we are headed if we don’t get our heads out the ox, and start tackle-ling real issues that are a result to why we are having some of the other issues.
Duane, you have nailed it. The younger generations see no future for them in their own home.
THANK YOU. Uncle Duane … for highlighting the socio-economic reasons for our countries dismal status. I didn’t have the time.
So Duane, I am a young black Bermudian male. Who should come looking out for me to right these economic inequalities? The church? The government? My parents? You know just as well as I do that no one group, or person does have the ability alone to address those issues you have bought up. Yes, they are relevant. Yes blacks in this country have been disenfranchised, victimized and treated as second class citizens historically and even today. What are your solutions? I was taught by my parents to recognise these social injustices so that I would be able to study to find my place in society and counter them. Your position merely reinforces this mindset that “Babylon system” is in control and we are powerless within it. Your position on these issues creates excuses, breeds powerlessness and allows blacks to accept that their fate is either, dead or jail since the chips are stacked up against me. I do not accept this. What are you doing to help? Come out to the event which raises awareness that while others are fighting against police killing our black men, we in Bermuda have our own issues of our black men killing each other senselessly.
Nathan Dill
Greetings Nathan,
I don’t know you but that was well spoken and or written. I agree, Duane is simply frustrated with capitalism and as much as he rants churches marching alone or speaking to these issues will not change them. The elevation civic awareness and community commitment will address this youth criminal component and put pressure on parents, sensitize youth and mobilize people constructively instead of leaving them in apathy. Duane did write well but he missed the issue that the church is focusing on based upon its purpose and its limitations. It really makes no sense criticizing the church for trying to fulfill one of its mandates.
Nathan, this is so well said. Truly inspirational. Kudos to you and BOTH of your parents for raising a young Bermudian (who just so happens to be black) with self-worth and perspective.
If only more young Bermudians were fortunate enough to be born to TWO parents who were present, positive role models in their lives.
How anybody can impulsively have a child with someone who has no sense of commitment to sticking around, growing up, or willing to make the sacrifices necessary to make a better life for said child/ren, and then turn around and say “I care about my son” or “our son/s matter/s” is beyond my comprehension.
The way I see it, there will always be those who find the strength in themselves to dig deep, make the best of their situation, and think ahead to ensure that their future generation will have it a little better, and there will always be those who have the proverbial chip permanently fixed to their shoulder til they’re 6 feet under. Incidentally, all shades of skin pigment can be found on both sides of this divide.
YOU are the one talking. Just get behind it and move for a positive change. You will probably be sitting in front of your computer while people are letting their true feelings be seen and heard.
Where was the church on the first shooting?
Answer: On its knees
Where was the church on the last shooting death?
Answer: On its knees
Where will the church be Thursday
answer: on its back
Where should it be. As the children of God they should be demanding that teachers be treated with respect
That parents who cannot parent be educated
That more can be done for boys
and the list goes on
But excuse me, I got to pray.
Ok so this church says “Finally, a statement to remind the the wider-community that the Churches arms and doors are always open”.
Church please be aware that this is a community that has been turned off by the church and it members for a long time. If you want people to come in then trust has to be built up and you have to go beyond the Church WALLS….have services as often as you can in these communities where the violence takes place and at the outside places(like in parks or even at the playgrounds, and where many of these gang members actually hang out)have a service right next to them and not in buildings. People need help with food, paying bills and providing for their kids they dont want to hear people talking anymore. Please do something as actions speak louder than words and also prayer without works is dead! Only Love can save of us all and not saying it but actually showing it.
Clearly you need to go to Sunday school again; The truth is that people still respect the church and the quote is Faith with out Works is dead. I see you have neither.
Is the concept of regulating the cannabis market being sought as an attempt to decrease gang profits? I can accurately guess that cannabis (marijuana/ganja/herb/grass) is the most popular illegal drug on the island as it is in most other countries around the world. With Bermuda’s cannabis prices at $50 per gram [compared to Canada for example at $10] these criminals are making vast amounts of profits. They are then using these resources to bring in more drugs and weapons to protect their merchandise or sell for more profit. Regulating a cannabis market may not be a solution to ending gang warfare. But Uruguay has implemented a cannabis regulation plan to tackle the rising cartel’s profits. I understand that gangs make profits from various illegal activities. But if the grocery store was unable to sell half of their merchandise… do you think that grocery store would last much longer? Just think about it.
talk,talk and more talk,it wont stop these little boys from killing themselves.
U say it’s pointless but what are YOU @WWATCHER doing to stop gang violence?!! I’ll wait…if you aren’t doing anything then have several seats!
Its sad that in the States they are doing this because the police are abusing their power and killing innocent young men and getting away with it. Here in Bermuda these men are killing each other. Its not the system. Its not the police vs us. Sorry but some do not matter. I dont see the point in saying “our sons matter.” Who are you fighting and proclaimig they matter to? Stop copying everything Americans do and not even understanding WHY they do it. You Bermudian mothers raise these little brats to be narcissistic hoodlums so deal with the consequences of your bad parenting.
First of all in the states they are doing this in conjunction with combating black on black crimes. Also it is very important that we tell young men and women that their lives matter, because if theirs doesn’t yours doesn’t stand a chance. Stop pointing the blame as though every single criminal was born and decided “i want to ruin my life today” Some people do the best with what they are given and unfortunately for some, the only way of surviving that they see is picking up a gun, knife, or selling drugs to guarantee that they can handle all of their responsibilities. so the point of telling them that their lives matter, is to say that there is another way to live, that is less diminishing to your life and the overall well being of the society. BUT SHAME ON YOU for pointing the blame of this on mothers … YOU TOO, are the problem.
When did I say they woke up and decided that? I completely understand the concept of being a product of your environment and all these murders are still unacceptable. You know how many people here in Bermuda came from nothing? They aren’t out committing crimes though. It is difficult but we all have choices in life. This gang life and quick money and then death before you are even 30 years old doesn’t sound better than working an awful job you hate just to make it and being alive. What do you prefer? I do blame the mothers because they allow it and could not care less about what their sons are doing. The absent fathers are to blame too and the ones who are active but encourage buffoonery as well. A lot of us were born and raised poor but didn’t grow up to be gang members because we had decent loving parents who steered us in the right direction. This “street life” probably has more to do with that than poverty. These guys have money from their crimes and are still walking around unhappy and angry at the world. Why? Tell me since poverty is your excuse for their crimes. I am not the problem, people like you who take no personal accountability and make excuses are the problem.
Exactly! I don’t agree with jumping on the bandwagon of protests around the world that are doing die-ins to protest police brutality. I feel like this is a stunt for someone to post on Facebook.
Why not copy the rallies against violence in the communities that Chicago has for it’s high death rate from gang violence? Probably because that isn’t on the news as much.
Yes we need to do something, but piggyback off of a serious issue where those held to higher standards are killing black men like they hunting rabbits, I think this is wrong.
This is a bold declaration to all people that it is NOT okay to kill your fellowman. I pray that this event will seer the conscience of those who are engaged in these senseless acts and help to heal the hurt of the surviving family members. This let’s families know that they are not alone and that the lives of their loved ones matter. Thank you Mt. Zion for leading in this initiative!! God bless you!!!
I can remember when she was a lone voice crying out for the murder of her son in Dockyard …. Who heard her lonely plea ? It was heartwrenching then , it is even unbearable now ! Today , her tired heart has broke many times over , but yet her pain still visible , is unseen
by many who haven’t
had to deal with the senseless death of a son .
Bermuda …. It shouldn’t take the killings of so many young men to understand the utter funk of wishing it will stop ! It won’t , until we hunt down the mindset and exterminate (sic) it !
All 30 of them are probably together in the after life, actually getting along & realising it wasn’t worth it.
Unfortunately they can’t send messages but if they could, I’m sure they would tell the young black males to JUST STOP.
Change has to start somewhere, so 30 minutes of silence and solidarity is better than A lifetime of silence(meaning no one wants to speak up) & Segregation.
We have lost to many Black Man & Our community is hurt. What happened to the FUN, CARE FREE, HAD A BLAST summers we used to have?
But at the end of the day these guys can’t come back, but more lives being taken can be prevented.
Maybe Government needs to look into and spend money on teaching, stimulating and keeping busy the minds of the youth.
I have always said we have more bars than outlets for children.
Kumi, I will always love you & you’re forever in my heart, I miss you <3
Here we go again hundreds of words all over the place. 30 young men victims of serious crime (murder) and in some cases abysmal choices and we lament as we should. The perpetrators of these gruesome acts are in the minority as the vast majority of our young men are hard working and live on the right side of the law. They should be celebrated for right choices. We live in a dangerous world- check the international news every night.
Thank you Mt.Zion for calling attention to what is going on in Bermuda and doing something about it. This has nothing to do with copying. It has everything to do with solidarity. Togetherness and everyone being on one accord. For those who would rather sit around and criticize this empowering move, what’s your plan? Ppl fear what they don’t understand and when they don’t understand,they turn to assumptions. My life matters!
You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing, there will be no result. -Ghandi
Stay Blessed
I would like to thank the Mt. Zion Church for this initiative of Die-In in Bermuda. I am the mother of one of the fallen and I take offense when one of your bloggers (Next) said, “You Bermudian mothers raise these little brats to be narcissistic hoodlums so deal with the consequences of your bad parenting”. NO PARENT RAISES THEIR CHILDREN TO BE SUCH!. Some young adults go off track sometimes and make their own choices. There will always be some people who are insensitive to the killings and will criticize any efforts put forward. I, for one, am grateful for any effort made to bring harmony back to this island. I would like to also thank the public who came out in support. Peace