Youth Throne Speech Reply: “Community First”
We must ask ourselves, what can we do for our community and how can we impact the environment around us, and the theme we must abide by is “community first,” Youth Opposition Leader Destinee Taylor said in the Youth Reply to the Throne.
The Youth Reply to the Throne followed after the annual Reconvening of Youth Parliament on November 18th, with MPs from both sides of the aisle attending to hear the Youth Throne Speech.
In delivering the Youth Reply, Ms Taylor said, “ Mandela said it best: education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. The Bermuda education system has been crying out for reform for much too long.
“Before we can talk about implementing a bachelors degree programme at Bermuda College, which is definitely needed, we must first talk about the public school system which needs attention and altering. I can say this because I am a product of this system.”
The full Youth Reply to the Throne is below:
’Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others’? – MLK .
Youth Parliamentarians, we are the products of our environment, therefore we must ask ourselves, what can we do for our community? How can we impact the environment around us? The theme we must abide by for this years session is ‘Community First.’
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, there are many things that we can talk about which are tarnishing our beloved community, but Youth Parliamentarians, we can not just sit here and talk about these problems, we must take action and help implement legislation in which we have the power to do so.
Look around us: we have the resources, we literally meet in these honourable chambers, and have the contact of a local MP or Senator a phone call away. So this year, it is essential that we do not let the opportunity of making a difference pass us by.
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, Mandela said it best: education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. The Bermuda education system has been crying out for reform for much too long.
Before we can talk about implementing a bachelors degree programme at Bermuda College, which is definitely needed, we must first talk about the public school system which needs attention and altering. I can say this because I am a product of this system.
Firstly Bermuda must decide if we want to have a British curriculum, an American curriculum, or even a Caribbean curriculum. Presently, we seem to have a mixture of the two, both American and a dash of British.
In the public high school – every student, not just some, should be afforded the opportunity to take more than three A Level exams, which would get students into some of the top universities in England, without them being required to take a foundation year. Education reform in Bermuda must take place. It is also essential that Bermuda’s fundamental social history be taught in depth and in detail in our public schools.
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, in Bermuda we are plagued with gang violence and the gang lifestyle taking the lives of our young men here in Bermuda. We the youth probably go to school with or know some of the children/descendants of these fathers who have fallen victim to gang fatalities.
In addition to the GREAT programme, which is already facilitated on the middle school level, we challenge the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education to implement mandatory grief counselling for the children of the victims. We would also love for them to join our Youth Parliament family; therefore, they can use their passion and frustration in a positive manner.
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, mentally ill citizens and disabled citizens are members of this society who often get overlooked. Although two separate things and one is not to be compared to the other, we are pleased to see the Government taking steps and making progress in regards to the Mental Health Act.
I have had the privilege to sit in on a Mental Health Court Session here in Bermuda and also had the privilege to work with a lawyer who specializes in mentally ill clients. Mental illness can affect both the young and the old and it is an illness that should not be taken lightly.
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, we want to make it clear, not all Youth Parliament members support or are in favour of same sex marriage.
A large and growing body of scientific evidence indicated that the intact married family is best for children. Sarah McLanahan, a sociologist at Princeton University, states the fact that when both parents, a mother and a father, have a biological connection to the child, it would increase the likelihood that the parents have a connection with the child and be willing to sacrifice for that child, and it would reduce the likelihood that either parent would abuse the child.
Homosexual couples using in vitro fertilization [IVF] or surrogate mothers deliberately create a class of children who will live apart from their mother or father. Yale Child Study Centre psychiatrist Kyle Pruett reports that children of IVF often ask their lesbian mothers about their fathers, asking their mothers questions like, “Mommy, what did you do with my daddy?” “Can I write him a letter?” “Has he ever seen me?” “Didn’t he like me?”
Children need both their mothers and their fathers. In addition, same sex marriage would further isolate marriage from its procreative purpose.
Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, it is our aim that we strive towards the formation of a National Youth Town Hall which will take place twice a year. This will include the membership of youth ranging from ages 16 – 28 where we can gather and talk freely about political issues affecting us.
We can look at the National Youth Town Hall which Jamaica held this summer for example, where they had President Barack Obama as a guest speaker who advised them on Youth Leadership and the involvement of youth in politics. Executive officers of this National Youth Town Hall Committee could be liaisons with the government and this may be a paid position which will assist with youth unemployment.
In conclusion Madame Speaker and Members of Youth Parliament, we are looking forward to debates in the near future on independence, the aging population, the consolidation of schools, and whether or not pit bulls should be legal.
Additionally, we are looking forward to creating a Youth Parliament Alumni Committee and look forward to hosting our first Youth Parliament reunion some time next year. I am humbled to serve as Youth Opposition Leader for this year.
Madame Speaker, thank you.
The Youth Opposition Leader tries to cite psychology studies as a reason for gay couples not to be allowed to adopt. does she not see that people who adopt do it out of the kindness of their heart? does she not realize the blatant discrimination homosexuals in society face when they are only trying to attain the same civil rights as everyone else? I thought the younger generation would be more accepting after listening to the Youth Premier’s throne speech. Unfortunately not because the youth are still intolerant
Well the transitioning agenda has now been thrown publicly into high gear…It will now start in the “early” years of development for our youth…In the next generation will be ones to grow up with the indoctrination of the gay agenda(which I think the majority of gays don’t even know exists also a gay mafia…very powerful individuals)and they will be the ones who changes humanity as we now know it…
Any sort of a “gay agenda” would only exist in our fellow homosexual citizens attempting to attain equal rights as the rest of us, there shouldn’t have to be an “agenda”, just a simple recognition that all men and women are indeed created equal and should have equal rights. I would say it is foolish to say there is any form of “indoctrination”, people are just becoming more aware that we have internal equality problems within our society.
I’d also ask you to elaborate on your idea of a “gay mafia”, a concept that sounds as ridiculous as it does unbelievable. And if you think these “very powerful individuals” within your “gay mafia” have the ability to change humanity, it could only be to allow us as a race to accept one another on equal bounds.
This is no great battle between opposing camps, this is no struggle for human survival, this issue comes down to acceptance of our fellow man having the right to equality between us. Great individuals like Martin Luther King Jr. supported the ideal that all men are created equal and have the same rights under god, and it is petty and horrible to suggest that our brothers and sisters should not have equal rights.
Notice how she’s opens by saying “community first” however she does not show how she’s going to give back to the community. I must add, are homosexuals not apart of the community? If she wants to put community first, she must not discriminate against certain communities.
Well Done Young Lady!!!
So proud of you!
Stay BOLD.