Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschool's 2

Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschool's 

 

(photo credit to associated press) 

Since the beginning of school two weeks ago I'm sure most parents would agree that things have been hectic; settling back into routines, conforming to new ones, etc. So this weekend I decided to let my hair down and get back into my old routines of reading daily publications from groups and people with like interests, but I was a little taken aback by some articles I'd read with regards to the homicide of Jermaine 'Bird' Williams in the parking lot of his child's preschool, George's Christian Academy in Whim, Frederiksted after school. According to numerous reports by local and associated press this father was shot in the parking lot while awaiting his wife to sign out their child after school. Students and school personnel were evacuated to secure room where they called for help from emergency responders but it was to no avail for the violence had already taken this father of three's life. Local public and private agencies came together to aid in the evaluations of students and staff scorned by the incident as was indicated by those in the Office of Child Care and Regulatory Services, but the ignorant violence has not ended nor has the arrogance of our community turning a blind eye to what is unfortunately becoming regular and that is too much violence within and near our schools.  

In 2013 I wrote a blog post, Too Much Violence; USVI Shootings Near Preschools, which illustrated for those who were unaware the rising amount of violence not only in schools but near schools that house our early learners. Different reports of gunfire at various head starts in Bovoni and in Berg's Home caught the attention of many concerned citizens and parents who spoke with officials from the Dept. of Human Services and the Virgin Islands Police Dept. expressing their concerns for the safety of their children. After a vote parents and officials came to the decision to send students to other Head Starts within the community that weren't experiencing such troubles due to violence in the community. That same year a similar incident took place on St. Croix regarding another parent who was shot and in the parking lot of their child's school after dropping off and killed trying escape inside the preschool housing two employees and ten children, causing the center to close.  

Nonetheless, as disturbing as all of this is, the fear and pain spread by the incident in question news and internet sources have chosen to ignore the blatant disregard for the lives of children within our territory in or out of school and call on legislators for stricter policies and legislations to defend our children while in learning institutions they have taken to the more 'popular' trend of 'blaming the victims'. According to reports made, rather than highlighting the severity of the crime instead many have taken to reporting the death of a gangster and gunfire fights that have since emerged in alleged retribution acts, basically glorifying the tragedies taken place causing more danger for residents of our islands.  

I am no politician nor legislator and my opinions are solely my own but when will it be enough to not only ignore the arrogance of others and educate them for the better? What will it take to stop turning a blind eye, to stop promoting and glorifying violence and the things that attribute to it? We are all members of this community and we are all members of families, but most importantly we all went to school and it was once considered safe.  

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read How Was Your First Day Of School, Too Much Violence: USVI Shootings Near Preschools, and Violence And Abuse In School 

  

Support For Dominica

Support For Dominica

       Last Thursday as many of the territories residents prepared for a tropical storm that would give us much needed rain and some winds residents of Dominica struggled to survive what many would agree was a devastating tragedy. Images and videos that have surfaced on the internet have lead to a mass, and much needed relief effort for the residents of Dominica and the multiple disaster areas that have been declared such by the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The areas Paradise Valley in Bath Estate, Petite Soufriere, Good Hope, Dubique, Petite Savanne, Pichelin, Coulibistrie, Campbell and San Sauveur were declared disaster areas after a need for focused response was recognized by leaders ( Dominica News Online, 2012). Our territory's own, Governor Mapp, expressed his deepest sympathies of Virgin Islanders to the families in Dominica who have lost loved ones, and to friends and family members with close ties to that island now residing in the territory (Gilbert, 2015).  

 

       Many of our territory's residents are either nationals of Dominica or are relatives of those who are and still reside there. In the wake of this tragedy and reports that the Prime Minister of Dominica believes Tropical Storm Erika has set them back at least twenty years  I too would urge the territory's residents to say a prayer for those who have loved ones 'back home' in Dominica and aid in relief efforts being done throughout the territory and nationwide. The local 'Dominica Disaster Relief Committee' has begun taking donations for the residents of Dominica and are located at the Dominica Cargo, behind O'Henry Dry Cleaners in Tutu on St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Local news have reported that the committee is looking for dry goods, baby supplies, medical supplies, building materials and tools while the Red Cross website lists similar suggests but are a little more detailed, everything and anything can help.  

  

       To my fellow residents of the U.S Virgin Islands territory that are in pain and worry about their family and friends in Dominica, I share your pain, I pray for their triumph, and as one of my Dominican born friends recently told in the wake of this tragedy D. A will rise again!  

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read #LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World, Healthy Summer Activities: Keeping Children Active, Savan Cleanup And Restore Project and National Public Gardens Day U.S.V.I.     

Savan Clean Up And Restore Project: Collaboration of Families and Community

I had the pleasure of meeting  a gentleman by the name of Kevin Gilbertson on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 when I ventured to the neighborhood basketball court, along with other members of the community, to find out more about the Savan Cleanup and Restoration Project  that began earlier this month on July 9, 2015. Kevin was more than forthcoming in asking the questions and listening to the concerns of his fellow neighbors while helping us to visualize the intent of the entire initiative. We spoke of past events (the historic walk through, and meeting held at Palms Court Harborview Hotel) and those to come all with the intent to revitalize the community and cleanup Savan. When asked about any future projects that may take place with that would serve the neighborhoods youth Mr. Gilbert assured me considerations had already been taken to establish a community center within the neighborhood aiming at such, and providing various programs all to foster positive progression for the development of each individual youth. We spoke of gaining the help of other influential members of the community within to continue the mass engagement already underway also to gain insight to center focus' on pertinent issues relevant to those residing within. Throughout our conversation I witnessed various members of the community stop by, some signing up volunteers, others volunteers ready to move their detail to the next spot! 

C.A.N or Community Action Now! Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create programs and services in underserved areas in the US and the Caribbean (C.A.N, 2014). C.A.N and community partners launched the Savan cleanup and restoration project on July 9, 2015 and it will continue to July 25, 2015 which will then be dubbed 'Savan Appreciation Month'. Through collaborative efforts with various partnerships including but not limited to the Economic Development Agency, Virgin Islands Police Department, Department of Public Works, Sankofa Saturday, government officials, local businesses, and members of the community this initiative continues to take place within the Savan community, beginning during the morning commutes well through the day to the evening. The Savan Cleanup and Restore Project began its month long activities and initiatives with a historic walk through of areas in Savan that aren't familiar to the general public as the historic monuments of change that they are. Alongside the V.I.P.D and E.D.A officials as guides children were shown the history of Savan and in turn learned more about their cultures as it pertains to their neighborhood community. Since then there have been countless volunteers, neighbors and strangers alike, all with the same mission of restoring the Savan Community. Through the mobilization of the communities members C.A.N officials and members of the #savesavan initiative are not only highlighting the historic heritage we share, but they are also illustrate the culture we hope to continue to be prevalent within our communities rather than the degenerative status that it's slowing becoming plagued with. The youngest members of our communities look to us for role models and by mobilizing all members of our community (including the youths) to engage within various aspects we as parents, educators, and citizens of this community will not only teach culture but live it, and show our children that we too practice what we preach. 

  

Other initiatives are also in place to keep up current trends and develop new ones with the intent of enacting solutions to improve the stagnant state of our neighborhood and community. C.A.N officials have also partnered with the Citizens And Police Association to implement a neighborhood watch aimed at crime and crime prevention. Meetings for the neighborhood watch will continue at the Methodist Church near Market Square, on Monday July 20, 2015. All members of the community and the Savan neighborhood are encouraged to attend and spread the word. Follow the Proud To Be A Savanero group on Facebook and add members, spread the message.   

  

Families, neighbors, educators, and officials all gathered and united by a common means; this is the product of collaboration between families and communities. This is our culture. This is how we live.  

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands youths read #LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World, Healthy Summer Activities: Keeping Children Active, and National Public Gardens Day U.S.V.I.     

#LoveWins Diversity for A Diverse World

With the recent decision to allow same sex marriage has been a myriad of 'opinions' from different parties  of different racial disparities and religion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs but at what point do we recognize that these decisions are those of the individuals participating in matters and those who are directly affected rather than everyone who has an opinion. I've heard many state in defense of their opposition that it is against God and that it is not right, we are leading the children down the paths of hell, and so forth. I'd like to share with all of you a story, or my personal observations on the outlook of a child with gay parents in today's modern society. While this is just a story and will not mean much to many this story happens to be that of my personal life that I'm sharing in the hopes of not changing anyone's mind or beliefs but their approach and outlook on what is right as opposed to what is condoned.  

I grew up in a small, close knit community; everyone mostly knows everyone and who doesn't know each other knows their family. Myself included, many know me as my mother's daughter or even my grandmothers granddaughter as I now reside in an apartment that she taught members of the this very same community in for years at one time before her retirement. While I do not resemble my mother, nor do we have many of the same views, I still have always been known as her daughter within our neighborhood and abroad in the territory as well. Growing up a little girl with a mother whose choice of 'style' was that of a man's wasn't easy due to teasing from my peers and other adolescents, also every once in a while a teacher would too chime in on their thoughts from my mother's lifestyle and wardrobe. I explicitly remember once sitting in my mother's car in the backseat trying to shrink myself down in size as she came to her boiling point (which does not happen often) after school one day with some men that decided to 'test her masculinity'. Needless to say these incidents did not change my mother's stance, nor my opinion of my mother; regardless of her sexual orientation or who she chose to have as her partner we always had food on the table, name brand clothes on our backs and shoes to match ( and in the closet), an appreciation for books and education, and last but not least we grew up with the realization that the struggle of diversity wasn't over. 

As I grew older I learned not to shrink in the backseat anymore for it was not my behavior worthy of being embarrassed but those who were making the condescending remarks and living lives of hypocrisy themselves. As children we always went to church, with or without our mother who at times worked weekends to ensure our family was never less than another or without necessities; it was there that we learned acceptance for diversity, race, religion, and love. So why do many assert that same sex anything is against God? God didn't make my mother unloving, undeserving, nor an instigator so isn't she allotted love and respect too? For doing all things that mothers do? For not being any less of a woman but for invoking more of what many wish they had at home in their closets, under their beds, or in their hearts; the power to teach that of love and acceptance.  

I implore everyone to use this time to think about the strides the human race has made and how far we still have to come as far as acceptance of race, gender, religion, and other diverse factors and the implications of repercussions if things continue the way they are any further. The civil rights movement ended so many years ago, but we still see the opposition rallying against change; don't be the opposition on this matter. Spread the message of love and acceptance and show the world that things can change. The bible was also once the backbone of every argument for slavery and segregation, don't you think it is time we use the good book for positive purposes rather than to promote negativity.  

Healthy Summer Activities To Stay Active

Healthy Summer Activities To Keep Children Active

Stumpy Bay

       Summer is approaching and many will be planning trips to visit family and friends or go on a vacation; many of us will be staying at home looking for things to do. Keeping children active and engaged in their learning and development as an individual is crucial to their success in life endeavors. Through engaging activities parents can promote self esteem as well as physical fitness, after all parents are our first role models and role modelling is how children learn best. Engaging activities during the summer months can also help deter or decrease weight gain as we are all too aware of the 'obesity epidemic' and the initiatives in place to reduce the rising numbers. Summer regression is also something we're familiar with that happens after the summer, summer enrichment camps aren't the only to prevent it; engaging in culturally aesthetic activities also stimulates one mind as well as their intellectuality. So you may be wonder just what could be done to encourage your child to develop active healthy habits, well the best way to form a habit is through a routine so here are some engaging, active summertime activities that the whole family can partake in!

• Going to the Beach 

 As any beach goer would know going to the beach is a blast and a free workout! Beach activities can range from sand sports to water activities, all of which are fun in the sun awaiting you and your loved ones. A few balls, boogie boards and a float are all that needed for a full days fun!

•  Bicycling 

Do any of you have an inkling of an idea of the beautiful scenery you take for granted and pass by all nonchalant everyday? I promise you the first time you go bike riding you'll never forget to appreciate it again! We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth with clear waters, white sands and relentless sun; why not take advantage of such beauty and keep healthy while doing it. There are walking and bicycling paths all across the territory, and many near beaches and ports making it nice and breezy no matter what time you decide to ride

Waterfront, Charlotte Amalie U.S.V.I

• Walking/ Jogging

As was aforementioned there are walking paths all over the territory strategically placed to appeal to our sense of nature (or so I believe). Jogging and taking walks with the family is a great way to exercise and to get in quality time, with the silence of the trail it make the time ideal for conversating and catching up on lost time. Other than using popular trails one could go sightseeing in various part of town and explore whatever there may be to offer you at the time.

• Camping 

Our National Parks are known for their breathtaking views, twenty beautiful hiking trails in wet tropical or dry forest, your preference. During  your stay visit the welcome center for a brief history and camp on Cinnamon Bay Campground 

• Visiting Local Museums & Art Galleries

I love Tillet Gardens Center for the Arts! It's your garden variety one stop and shop center with various art studio's, shops, restaurants, and live concerts, fairs, and theater performances (just to name a few) there's never a dull day within their beautiful garden. 

• Coordinate With Others 

Coordinate with family members and friends to encourage your families getting active together, most people are just looking for someone to do things with, engage and reach out to others. Teach your children (as role models) that they don't have to be ashamed to get active and the benefits of such, like staying healthy!

 

National Public Gardens Day In U.S.V.I

As a child whose role models where all seemingly 'plant lovers' I too grew an appreciation for one of natures more delicate forms. I found during adolescence that nature had many different uses with regards to healing, both medicinally and spiritually. Growing up in the Caribbean many of us are exposed to gardening in many various forms and usually from young ages, by family members, friends, community ties, or educational efforts with regards to our culture. As a result of such many of us are aware of a variety of commonly used plants that have a variety of medicinal uses that can be found literally in our back or front yards ( like aloe vera, morenga, bush teas, etc.) if not growing wild publicly within our communities. 

Yet there are some small communities that have taken the time to cultivate the most beautiful of flowers in such a wide array as would only be seen in the tropics. These small communities like our various botanical gardens and national park, housed within our very territory, have continued on their dedicated missions to the perseverance and cultivation of pieces of natures art and many of the medicinal foundations of healing. 


This May 8 is National Public Gardens Day, an annual celebration of public gardens to raise awareness of the important roles all gardens, especially botanical gardens, play in promoting environmental stewardship, plant and water conservation, green spaces and education regarding such, in communities worldwide. Lets celebrate and educate ourselves as well as others through exploring our territories various botanical gardens and even our  national parks. Many of us tend to our own gardens, take some time and share your knowledge and your garden with members of the community and your neighbors. 

Here are a listing of Botanical Gardens within the territory that I've found, and three that I've had the pleasure of visiting myself, I implore you all to continue and spread our heritage as well as promote green living and raise awareness for public gardens day!

Botanical Gardens within the U.S Virgin Islands include but aren't limited to;

• Tillett Gardens

• Estate St. Peter's Greathouse And Botanical Gardens

• Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

• St. George Village Botanical Garden

• U. S Virgin Islands National Park

The views expressed within the blog are solely those of Ms. Child Advocate and does not reflect on any of her affiliations. For more on the U.S Virgin Islands read Too Much Violence And Abuse In Our Schools, Too Much Violence: Shootings Near USVI Preschools, and Educational Institutions Need New Blood.