This morning we woke up so so early for our flight to Trinidad. By 5:30am or so, we were at the airport and ready to see Trinidad. It was a quick one hour flight, and barely had time to do much of anything before we touched down in Port of Spain, Trinidad. When we did touch down though, it was a huge contrast to the environment of Barbados. Green, luscious hills and other greenery was everywhere!
Once we touched down, we grabbed brunch, although I wouldn't really consider the fare brunch. I had a sandwich with a heavy focaccia type bread with salt fish inside. I'm glad I tried it but I would probably wouldn't want it again for a long time due to the saltiness.
That afternoon, we traveled to a different area of Trinidad to go to a men's group. Although it wasn't something I had looked forward to, by the time the night was over, I was so amazed something like this was going on in Trinidad. This group was set up to allow men to talk with other men about issues that they're having, since it's not common place to talk. They set up each meeting as a fishbowl, with the men on the inside and women on the outside. The rule was though, was that the men were the only people that could do the talking. We learned so many things in that session including:
- There were roughly 3,000 sexual offenses in Trinidad last year
- The average age of a person's first sexual encounter is 6 years old in Trinidad
Although these facts are so sad to hear, at the same time I was so impressed with what they were teaching other men. Part of it reminded me of the Our Whole Lives (OWL), comprehensive sexuality education curriculum, with the men learning the right names for genitals and culturally what the words were also. they said that a lot of the issues men are facing has to do with the value system. This value system isn't transferring from father to son. But they said that if you care enough about these relationships, then you'll find a way to change. Powerful words to hear for these men.
On another note, after the session, we had dinner with one of the organizers of this group, and spoke with him about the gang violence in Trinidad. He said that elders in gangs are considered about 26 years old. But the even more shocking thing is what happens before that, once someone is initiated into a gang. After they get their gun, the first thing they do is plan their funeral...get a coffin, get an outfit they want to be buried in, etc. Because with their lifestyle, they are prepared to die for their gang.
When we asked about gun control, especially since it's a hot topic in the US right now, he said that gun laws are hard because each beach is essentially a port--which makes it hard to regulate and control. On top of that Venezuela is 7 miles away, a place where machine guns are made and where drugs are passed through from Colombia then onward up to the US.
Furthermore, it's especially difficult to control because the gang leaders will threaten everyone so then they don't get a heavy prison sentence. They'll threaten by killing their relatives or friends. "An eye for an eye". It's so hard to imagine that this is all happening where we were. I can't even begin to imagine though how people go about their daily lives and how children still go to school everyday.
The scary thing about all of this is 1) the people that actually survive this gang violence as children will eventually go kill their parent's killers, and so it becomes a continuous cycle. And 2) since the politicians aren't personally affected by the gangsters, it will continue until a member of their family dies and then maybe something might change.
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