Letter of the Day | The urgency to revive the village and restore collective responsibility

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Jamaica mourns Shani ‘Kaidra’ Coke. She was 10 years old.

The killing of Shani in the usually peaceful community of Troy, Trelawny has touched something deep within the nation. Perhaps it is her youth and innocence. Perhaps it is the brutal nature of the crime. Perhaps it awakens painful memories of the murder of young Ananda Dean and reminds us again of the vulnerability of our children. Perhaps, too, it is because Troy represents the kind of quiet rural community where many Jamaicans still expect children to be able to grow up safely and walk freely on the streets.

When something so terrible happens to a 10-year-old child, we are forced to ask: Where are our children safe?

First, we must confront the reality of evil. The callous taking of innocent life reminds us that evil is not merely an abstract theological concept. It manifests itself when another person’s life is treated as though it has no sacred value. We must guard against becoming so accustomed to violence that even the unthinkable becomes simply another headline.

Second, Troy forces us to think seriously about community safety. There was a time when the protection of children was understood to be the responsibility of the entire community. Parents knew other parents. Teachers knew families. Churches knew their communities. Neighbours noticed when something seemed wrong. Adults corrected, cautioned and looked out for children who were not their own.

The village was never perfect, but the village was present. Our response, therefore, was community-based and supported. There are existing structures and organisations in our communities that can make a difference.

Let us, therefore, strengthen our parent-teachers associations to address the safety and well-being of children. Let us revive community meetings and citizens’ associations, bringing residents, police, schools and community leaders around the same table again. Let us rebuild the relationships through which people know what is happening in their communities and feel responsible enough to speak when something does not seem right.

The Church must play an integral role. Few institutions have the reach of the Church across Jamaica. In almost every town, district and village there is a congregation. Our churches must be centres of community life, supporting parents, and providing safe spaces and helping to restore the conviction that every child in the community is our concern.

Third, we must address the troubling issue of vigilante justice. The mob violence that followed Shani’s killing reminds us how quickly righteous anger can itself become destructive. We understand the outrage. Suspicion, however, is not conviction, and citizens cannot become judge, jury and executioner. We cannot cure violence with violence or answer lawlessness with lawlessness.

Evil will not have the final word over Jamaica. Our children will not be surrendered to violence, and our communities will not be surrendered to fear. With God’s help, we will revive the village, restore our collective responsibility, and make Jamaica safer for every child.

BISHOP ROY NOTICE

President

Jamaica Association of Full

Gospel Churches