Dear Community, 

 

The Covid-19 Pandemic has brought with it a lot of pain and loses for many individuals, families and businesses across the globe. The unexpected changes in the way we now live has brought with it new challenges and new choices for us to make. In addition, there has been a significant increase in mental health issues, domestic abuse and financial crisis as poverty continues to sweep across the UK. Sadly, in the midst of all this disruption to our daily lives, knife crime has continued to threaten, injure and kill our young people, with one of the youngest fatalities being a 12 year old school girl, in 2021.   

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Communities have lived in fear for far too long. Fear of a child not coming home, fear of a son getting caught up with the wrong crowd, fear of seeing or knowing too much and fear of being labelled a 'snitch' for doing the 'right thing.' Whilst in the background we hear the sounds of yet another mother's cry.  But the time has now come where we can no longer remain silent when we know that something is wrong. We must also refrain from saying "Enough is Enough" and yet stand by and watch another young life slip away. It's time for us ALL to stop turning a blind eye and only paying attention when it's on our own doorstep.... This is when it's our son, brother, nephew, cousin, father or husband....because that's when it's too late!

 

We must now recognise, the growing danger of this situation escalating totally out of control, as we continue to hear media reports of fatalities in Birmingham, London and other major cities. The grim reality is that we are plagued with young terrorists and murderers running loose around the country. So whether it is your child, my child, his child or hers......it is wrong for a person to take the life of another...."Thou shalt not kill" must remain the commandment of all time! Perpetrators must be reported promptly and punished justly for this course of action in order to set an example to others who are; or may be contemplating adopting this lifestyle. Possession of a weapon is wrong, regardless as to whether it is being carried for protection or wilful use. Young people need to receive a clear message across the board that 'weapons kill' and there should be no exceptions to the rule if they choose to go against this. 

 

We need to educate young people about their heritage and history so they can learn, understand and appreciate the struggles their ancestors endured in their fight against systemic racism, discrimination and inequalities in; education, healthcare, housing, criminal justice, employment and politics. We need to teach them life skills and financial literacy around savings, investment and debt avoidance and empower them with the tools for asset building and creating legacies to provide a better life for themselves and the generations to follow. The education curriculum needs to change. It needs to be 'family-centred' so that it can take into consideration home factors that can have a detrimental affect on a young persons learning. Pupils need to be recognised as individuals with different abilities, needs, gifts, talents, dreams and desires, and therefore should be given the opportunity to choose their own pathway through an integrated support programme of coaching and mentoring.  

 

We also need to bring traditional communities back to life, where nuclear & extended families and neighbours looked out for the welfare of each other, and youngsters valued and respected their elders.  We need to restore residential areas by investing in local amenities, rebuilding youth facilities and creating more activities that promote community cohesion. This would allow families to mix and socialise like they did in the 'good old days,' where they shared the same morals, standards & values for raising children and running a home. Modern day parents need to stop trying to be 'best friends' to their children and learn how to discipline them without living in fear of this young generation who thrive on instilling terror in the home, school and the streets. It is neither normal or legal to kill another human being. So the action cannot, and must not ever, be accepted, praised, tolerated, respected or covered up. 

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We, the community have to recognise that we are the MAJORITY, but ONLY when we stand together! This means that we have to find a way, for the sake of our children, to work alongside all stakeholders including; families, educational establishments, religious institutions, law enforcement, local authority agencies, voluntary organisations, local businesses, corporate companies etc.  As the old saying goes.... "United we stand, divided we fall." So let's UNITE and work as one; to love, protect, educate & empower our future young generations by strengthening families & communities across the UK. 

 

God Bless Always

Patsy Nelson