Chief Cultural Officer Raymond Lawrence, has called for an end to all acts of violence in Dominica saying that those who engage in such acts should find more gainful things to do in their time.
He spoke at a press conference organized by the Cultural Division to launch activities for Emancipation Celebration 2017.
Lawrence stated that there should be alternatives rather than fighting and always being in trouble and that there should be no more news that a murder has happened anywhere because one murder is too many.
“Just because there are fighting and killing in other countries, it does not mean we have to have it here. So this morning, the Cultural Division is calling for an end to all violence in Dominica. We don’t want to hear about any more murders in this country, on murder is too many,” he said.
He also called on groups and individuals who are fighting to stop and to “respect each other” and do good for each other rather than carrying out violence.
“Because really, violence does not build, it only destroys. It does not lead to anything good but only leads to more trouble, chaos, and heartache for victims and families. Let us say no to violence,” he remarked.
Money rules the world invest in the island worth nothing sitting in the bank sitting at home feeling good about a few words
What is Skearat leader of? Could somebody tell me, please?
Raymond, you as a former disk jockey at Radio Dominica, has already burned into the brain of the perpetrators of crime in the country that life in our country revolves around dance music, party, and drinking of alcohol, and getting strong on dope is what life is about!
It is shameful for you to talk about: ” saying that those who engage in such acts should find more gainful things to do in their time.”
And that is in reference to crime including murder. What gainful things do you have in mind? If you are suggesting gainful employment; perhaps you could be kind enough to post a list of employment opportunities on DNO so that those thinking of committing murder can chose a job for gain, hence they will not have the time commit crimes.
Raymond don’t you realize the selling of drugs such as cocaine, and marijuana is a means of gain? Where are the legal industries in the country, where the youths can legally seek employment and work for honest gain?
Hello and good afternoon my people. Thanks Mr Lawrence for your honest and timely statement because this kind of criminal activity is frightening middle class people like me even though that won’t prevent me from coming home. We need a policy statement and plan from the Police Commissioner to address the rise in Homicides and none fatal shootings. The first part of any crime fighting plan should involve a recommendation of no Bail for such crimes as, Murder,Shooting,Rape, Robbery,Burglary ,Kidnapping, possession of a Firearm,felony drug sale or possession and Felony Warrant.
Some comments are silly. Speak out they criticize do not speak they criticize. Good that the Cultural Division has made a statement. Young men and women join the cultural activities. Keep busy. Stay away from crime.
Raymond spoke out yes; talking a pile of rubbish! He mentioned do something for gain!
Gain can be defined; as resources or advantage acquire, or increased. I will make it simple so that those people such as Raymond who comes out and talk nonsense, because they have Skerrit as their source, believe everybody in Dominica have such source.
However the term gain in the English language also means profit!
So, when Raymond suggest someone in Dominica leaving secondary school, or have completed a tow year college with absolutely no prospective, because there are no employment opportunities in the country; from where this man expect one to gain: Gain what; what is he talking about?
His rhetoric makes no sense, it is designed to draw peoples’ attention away from the real issues which cause the youths of the country to turn to crime. Unemployment, bad politics’ selling, and using illegal drugs among the youth is the cause of crime in the country.
Sound speech but talk alone won’t stop people with anti-social tendencies from committing murders. Every decent minded and law abiding citizen has to step up his effort to change the trajectory of these senseless killings. Where are the new and bold crime fighting initiatives by the government and security forces? Ordinary citizens should assist the police with information . He who does not prevent a crime when he can, encourages it’
I totally agree Mr. Lawrence. We must, we must. At least we can try. But why are all these murders and crimes happening? A 3 year old child knows that these crimes are wrong! How does that child know? Every man knows in his heart that there is evil: whether we call it jealousy, wickedness, mischief, bad-minded, not good, deliberate…… we use these terms quite often in our daily conversations.
We also know that there is a source of Good and evil. The way we react to the word of God is exactly what is written in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:1-23
We have a will power given by God which God wants to quench and support but we must make the first move to show interest. We secure an earthly future which we are not sure about because we can die anytime but our eternal security we forget. God grieves over our unbelief! Please don’t grieve him. He wants to give you everything!
May his name be praised!
The rise of violence in the caribean have different causes, mental illiness should be checked .”severe mental illiness is often defined by its length of duration and the disability it produces . These illinesses include disorders that produce psychotic symptoms , such as schizophrenia and schizoaff disorders, and severe forms of other major depression and bipolar disorder . Why are people afraid and will not report crime to the police ?.
Thank you Sir.. The “pm” has failed to make such appeal because he is blinded by the green passport.
LAWRENCE FOR PM. MAKE DOMINICA GREAT AGAIN
Mr. lawrence, I know you mean well; but save your breath! this problem needs to be addressed in a more fundamental manner. As trivial as it may sound and at the root of it all. basically, this behavior is a function of misdirected sexual energy. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to observe that statistically, the perpetrators of such crimes are usually more than often, the males of society; therefor, if you really want to do something about it, you as an educated man which I suppose you are or seem to be, should address this issue with community leaders_ not just through sound bits. Let’s start with an in depth psychological analysis of the males, followed by an intervention plan, In the absence of such, this society is doomed, it is already in chaotic mode. We have to consider that there may be folks who may not take the loss of a loved one thru violence, sitting down and may react in like manner to others connected to the suspected villain thus creating a vicious cycle.
@ K.W Why don’t you do what you are asking Lawrence to do? Highly hypocritical on your part. Shame on you. That’s why we are not moving forward as a small minded people; You being the screwhead.
This appeal by Raymond Lawrence to stop the violence is commendable.. We need to go further to find out the causes of this upsurge in violence and to try to address these causes.. Just talking about these matters is not enough
I do agree with Mr. Lawrence assessment of the gravity of the crime situation. However, our leaders must set examples for our youth to follow. The village concept that we had in DA is eroding.
What an approach to stopping violence in our country. About a week ago I wrote a post on DNO that based on the figures presented, Dominica has lost about 0.02% of its population through homicides thus far this year. This was corrupted and does not seem to have been posted.
With that level of threat to Dominica’s populace, Mr Lawrence’s approach does not seem a feasible option. His gentle, almost infantile, tapping of the wrist will allow those guilty of the perpetuation of these crimes to have a laugh. I say it is time that we engage in effective deterrents or else Dominica’s population may eventually begin to experience negative growth.
@rasb
We need specificity from you. What are your specific proposals and measures to curtail or prevent crime? Make a list of your effective deterrents.
That is a very good start Sir, I commend you , I wish the chief of police, minister of health skerro, and Linton , the clergy bishops , priest , what ever his name is would come out and speak against the violence that is plaguing our country, he is more concern about raising money for the cathedral roof, which he been raising for six years now and nobody is keeping count they are just taking the parishioner money , buying cars , and houses , they are all MOO MOOS now, wait till it get to there family, and there door steps. Sir you said they should find more gainful things to do , but sir there is no Jobs for the young men , and women on the Island all the CBI money is going to the power that be , the N.E.P. program does not generate income to the treasury it is quite the opposite, it does not generate money back into the social security system .
This is also in words; the power of the tongue and the fingers on the keyboard.
Such people need the grace of God which they are lacking. They cannot obtain eternal salvation without God’s blessing and graces.
God is not a preferential God. He is a fair and just God. He is impartial. All Christians should know that. If they fail to practice godly virtues, woe to them.
Those who know should practice it and teach others who depict this ignorance to do likewise for their own good.
IGNORANCE, GRIEF, INTEMPERANCE, CONCUPISCENCE, INJUSTICS, COVETOUSNESS, DECEIT, ENVY, CHEATERY, WRATH, RASHNESS and MALICE. All inherited from slavery, with the names of our colonial masters, we are now BRITISH, DUTCH, FRENCH and presently AMERICAN. CULTURE, in the true sense culture don’t exist on any of the former slave holding islands, just descendants , here lies the problem of violence. You have to put a historical perspective to it Mr CULTURAL OFFICER. Bob D.
So what gainful thing can they find to do when all you retirees are being recalled on contract like as if no other person can do the job? You retire in 2014, we are in 2017, not one of the other officers in that ministry can serve as chief? So you alone that have the qualifications? After you people complain about the youth and gainful employment tsk tsk…
Does the cultural officer have his ears to the ground? what are the causes of violence? check this out.IGNORANCE, GRIEF, INTEMPERANCE , CONCUPISCENCE, INJUSTICE, COVETOUSNESS, DECEIT, ENVY, CHEATERY, WRATH, RASHNESS, and MALICE, does these EVIL values exist in DOMINICA? if they do , we are looking at the foundation of violence, all left over from slavery. Culture have been taken away from the Africans in the west, they are now BRITISH,FRENCH,DUTCH, and presently AMERICANS, a lost race sad to say.Bob D.
Is he the chief cultural officer? Educate me!!!!
Why can’t the minister of tourism do likewise, Robbie is yet to denounce the spate of violence taking place in Dominica.
When did he return to his post from retirement DNO? I didn’t get that memo
ADMIN help me didnt you report sometime ago that Raymond Lawrence was retiring? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/chief-cultural-officer-raymond-lawrence-retire/
What’s the story there? Now don’t get me wrong Mr. Lawrence is excellently qualified for his job. I just remember he had indicated in that article after so long it was essentially time. Please clarify
ADMIN: He was rehired recently on a two-year contract.
Raymond Lawrence for President.
This is why creativity, in all its various forms, is so important.
Creativity and destruction are at the opposite end of the spectrum: you can’t be both creative and destructive. The sooner we realise this, the better. The creative arts deserve more attention, both in schools and in our society at large. They serve as a compassionate safety valve.
The philosopher Erich Fromm claimed that the amount of destructiveness to be found in individuals is proportionate to the amount to which expansiveness of live is curtailed. By this he means the thwarting of the whole of life, the blockage of spontaneity of the growth and expression of man’s sensuous, emotional and intellectual capacities. The more the drive towards life is thwarted, the stronger is the drive towards destruction. Destructiveness is the outcome of unlived life.
Didn’t he retire? Big party and all?
Love you Raymond. You are a true Patriot . Thank you for your great contribution to Dominica.
no bail; prison den make dem clean the road side, too much people kill and they on bailed just bec the have lawyer