Letter: We DO care about the shootings

Dear Sir,

 I am writing this letter in response to the column by Christopher Famous, who is a PLP writer and blogger.

How dare he say that the OBA doesn’t care about the shootings? I am disgusted by such extreme and hopelessly partisan politicking. It stands as an example of how twisted our politics has become.

Every Bermudian has been affected by the shootings; many have close relatives who have been hurt or died because of the violence.

My goddaughter’s brother, Stefan, was killed in January this year by gun violence — a tragic and horrible loss, like so many others on our island — a young man who was trying to turn his life around taken down in the prime of his life. He left a lovely daughter Ryan and a sister Ebonie to suffer again after losing her twin brother Ryan six years ago. And there is my friend Andrea, who has lost both her boys to these senseless gang wars. 

The OBA and its families know the pain and suffering because we are, like Bermudians everywhere, living it every day. It is why we are working so hard for a better way.

The gang wars erupted in early 2009. It is now late 2012. In that span of time, we’ve had more than 300 shootings incidents, more than 70 people shot and nearly 20 killed. This violence amounted to a national emergency that called for an immediate and concerted Government response. That did not happen. The fact that only this week the Government announced it was visiting Boston to consider the adoption of an anti-gang programme says all we need to know about its response to the crisis — too little, too late.

People will soon have a chance to have their say about the Government’s record in meeting the needs and concerns of the people — on public safety, jobs and education — and to say whether they approve or think it’s time for change.

For me, it comes down to attitude. I want a government that is committed to serving the public interest, not self interest; a government whose motivations are beyond reproach and doubt.

The OBA is ready to form a public service government. It is ready to make this country work better for everyone. People, not partisan politics, are the priority. People want hope and change. They want to trust again. And they want an end to politics that divides.

The OBA is working hard for the opportunity to bring that about, to give this Island the chance to work together better. That’s what our leader Craig Cannonier wants to achieve. It means ending needless political division and raising awareness that we are Bermudians first and that our best future is together not apart.

I believe that, and that is why I object to what Mr Famous had to write.

Karen Magnum

Secretary, OBA