From within
The introduction of two Christian-based youth groups with positive intentions is good news. While much has been said and written about the problems facing youngsters in St. Maarten, it is from among their own ranks that leadership which can effectively address many of these issues must surface.
Remember the saying “Don’t trust anybody over 30” that became popular during the turbulent 1960s in the US, when young people started expressing and fighting for their own identity? It illustrates that agents for change focused on particular groups in society in order to be effective must come from within if they are going to get the support they need to make it work.
The reality is that leadership among peers is not something that can be imposed from the outside, or above, if you will. Positive role models and setting the right example are what will ultimately make the difference.
That leadership does not necessarily have to be religion-based, as is the case here, but churches have a responsibility to their following when it comes to guarding the morals and values that determine the level of civilization in any country. Antillean Governor Goedgedrag in his New Year’s address openly asked spiritual leaders to speak up and be critical when it came to getting their message across, especially to the youth.
We could not agree more and have said it before: The island and its people are going through challenging times, when those in whom they have put their faith and on whom they depend for spiritual guidance need to step up to the plate.
We again invite the spiritual leaders of St. Maarten to go farther than limiting their message to their congregations and sermons. The columns of this newspaper are at their disposal when it comes to reaching the masses so clearly in need of more direction and leadership.
Those behind the initiative to start the two youth groups reported on in today’s paper in any case deserve credit. We can sit on the sidelines and complain about today’s youngsters all day, but if we don’t actively try to make a difference by getting involved and working with rather than on them, it won’t change anything.
What St. Maarten needs most are real people who, through their actions, can convince youngsters that they are being taken seriously and have a major stake in the future of this country that also implies a great degree of responsibility. In the end they must get involved and do the right thing not because we tell them to, but because they want to.
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