Young candidate erred, but he has time to redeem himself

FRIDAY. NOV. 30: Makai Dickerson made a mistake. He had weed on his “person” and wanted a second chance.

You see, he was just holding a package of cigarettes for a friend who just happened to have stuffed the last remnants of his joint at the bottom of a cigarette box. It happens.

Already he’s showing what it takes to be a ‘Class A’ politician. Using a phrase like, “a small amount (of marijuana) was found on my person” was a clever and politically astute way of distancing himself from any act that might be incriminating. He shows promise. Children blame their dog for eating their homework and politicians blame everyone else. 

Unfortunately for Makai, his test balloon at a news conference to ask for a second chance and forgiveness fell flat. One usually has to wait at least a few years to be disappointed in a politician and presumably after there has been some good work to soften the blow. Lack of credibility right out of the gate never bodes well.

Frankly, I’m a little sick of hearing how some things shouldn’t be illegal so we all have to pretend it’s not a big deal when someone has their hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

There’s legal and then there’s illegal. Makai Dickerson is presumably old enough and has enough life experience under his belt to understand how illegal behaviour, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, can put you in a real pickle.

Regret

Don’t think that I’m unsympathetic to Mr. Dickerson. He made an embarrassing mistake and one that, it appears, he truly regrets.

In the annals of great mistakes, this doesn’t even warrant a notice. But the second he was approached to represent Devonshire South he should have immediately disclosed his arrest. This would have allowed PLP leaders to make an intelligent decision as to the suitability of his candidacy.

Alas, this is where he’s made his most selfish mistake.

Rule number one: don’t take everyone down with you. Rule number two: in the interest of time and honesty, always opt for full disclosure. Your family, friends and colleagues shouldn’t have to suffer from acid-reflux caused by your stupidity and selfishness.

Rule number three: take your punishment. Let your team move on and accomplish their goals. You’ll need to sit this one out but it doesn’t mean you can’t get back in the game at some point. Remember, take your punishment.

Perhaps the most important reason that Makai Dickerson had the good sense to  step down from his candidacy is that right now, somewhere in Bermuda there is a young man or woman who has the maturity and discipline to understand what’s at stake for the future of Bermuda.  Right now, Bermudians of any party shouldn’t accept any excuse for sloppiness.  I don’t care how nice or smart someone is or how small their mistake, behaviour that distracts from the real work of getting this island back on its feet is unacceptable.  

Makai Dickerson isn’t a career criminal. His unfortunate lack of judgment shouldn’t prevent him from his political aspirations for the future. But those aspirations, however earnest, should wait.

He should return as a political candidate for the PLP when he can be an example of the highest standard as a candidate. At the very least he should have expected more from his party than to accept him as an appropriate candidate, however briefly.

To be humble and admit one’s mistakes is one of the hardest things to do in life. It’s doubly hard when it’s in the public eye. We’ve all been there and if we’re honest, we can admit that the queasy feeling in our stomach came from our own disappointment in letting the people who mean the most to us, down.

Makai Dickerson is a young man with plenty of opportunities to redeem himself. It was right for him to resign. His future possibilities, if he chooses wisely, are countless.