Two alleged gang members remanded for ‘unlawful wounding’ of Linden teen

Feb 06, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor

I am compelled to write regarding your recent article “Two alleged gang members remanded for ‘unlawful wounding’ of Linden teen”. Where have I seen this before? Oh, in the marginalised and disenfranchised communities of the “Developed” Nations some Guyanese want to emulate. A lot of Guyanese wants foreign things! Well, lawbreaking groups of fear filled and uneducated youths, to wit, gangs are a feature of “Developed Nations”.

So, we need to be careful what we wish for because everything in this world has an opposite side. Therefore, when we embrace “foreign things”, we must be aware that there are things that are beneficial as well as those that are not so beneficial…and they come together!

So, when we adopt an economic modus operandi that leads to disenfranchisement of segments of the population, we will get the things that result from that: distrust of authority, feeling of desperation, and parasitic behaviour which is the modus operandi of so-called gangs. I understand that the formation of gangs/ parties/tribes/communities/states is the reaction of fear endemic to marginalized populations. However, like most organisms that narrowly seeks its own survival, the reactionary engages in parasitical behaviour that serves as a temporary balm for their wounds but results in abuse of its host, resulting in its own death!!!

So, gang activity is a reaction to fear of irrelevance/marginalization/extinction. And sadly, it ends up hurting those it seeks to help. Solution? Parents, brothers, sisters, uncle, aunties, your know whom amongst you are involved in this parasitic behaviour! Counsel them, mentor them, and model the behaviour you want them to emulate. But do not condone or turn a blind eye to their non-beneficial behaviour. Do not harbour them! If they are not ready to accept your words of wisdom and your example of love, let them learn the hard way. But don’t deceive yourself or the world when they meet with their just rewards.

Yours sincerely