Dion Jeffers

tunapunayouthleague@hotmail.com

Towards social change

Transitional neighbourhoods are described as neighbourhoods that have changed from wealth and prosperity to decay. In such an environment, teenage gangs are developed as a means of survival. A process known as cultural transmission ensues when these gang members pass on their lifestyles to the younger members of the neighbourhood, ensuring that the gang culture survives from generation to generation.

—Social scientists Clifford Shaw and Henry McKayIn Trinidad and, to a lesser extent, Tobago, such neighbourhoods do exist. They can be easily identified as they are the areas closest to the city centre: Laventille, Morvant, John John, Beetham, East Port-of-Spain.

These neighbourhoods were developed decades ago and have decayed considerably, illustrating what is described as a disorganised society.

For too long the residents of these areas have argued that they feel neglected by the Government (primarily the PNM who they support religiously) and this has accounted for the mistrust and alienation that the society portrays.

These once-affluent neighbourhoods have decayed to the point where social incivility in the form of litter, graffiti, burnt-out buildings, drugs, loiterers, prostitution, congestion and hate and anger have replaced norms and values.

Gang rivalry has also been instituted and, according to statistical evidence, it is responsible for the high murder rate that plague this nation.

East Port-of-Spain has changed from sprawling new apartment buildings and positive social values to a run-down society with high levels of deviant activities, low morals and antiquated amenities.

It has become a nesting ground for criminal activity as people, primarily juveniles, begin to believe that the only way they can achieve their goals in life is through deviant acts.

The Government has realised the need for social change in such areas and initiated projects to stem this type of living. But, as is the norm in T&T, this has been met with resistance, primarily as a result of a lack of information by the Government.

The Government had initially failed in its attempt to convince the residents of the importance of developing this area from a social perspective. It has failed to highlight the need for social change. Naturally man is opposed to change, but social change is inevitable in any developing society.

The redevelopment works need to be instituted in order to bring about a positive image to the society and this can only mean well for the residents.

Former AG Ramesh Maharaj has capitalised on the opportunity to bamboozle their minds, encouraging them to resist the change. His capitalistic ideals have convinced many to demand ridiculous sums of money for the relocation aspect of the development, failing to remember the millions claimed to be owed by the same residents to the Home Development Company.

Again, the almighty dollar is allowed to raise its ugly head and block out the real value that the new organised neighbourhood would bring to a shaky society.

According to Shaw and McKay, an organised community has the ability to regulate itself so that common goals (such as living in a crime-free area) can be achieved. This is referred to as social control. Those neighbourhoods that become disorganised are incapable of social control because they are wracked by deterioration and economic failure; they are most at risk for delinquency.

In areas where social control remains high, children are less likely to become involved with deviant peers and engage in problematic behaviour.

The question of relocation has also become contentious, but social scientists agree that a process of interculturalisation can have significant impacts on human behaviour.

When two cultures collide, both try to dominate each other with the stronger one coming out on top. Transferring people from a neighbourhood where there is a lack of respect for norms and values and placing them into neighbourhoods which do portray the aspects of what is described as an organised society will indeed bring about much needed social change to an individual’s way of life.

The dominant forces which are the positive attributes will indeed encourage this, leading to the maintenance of law and order—social control.

In contrast to these disorganised communities, a cohesive community maintains high levels of social control. Mutual trust and the intervention in the maintenance of public order are highlighted. Respect for others is embodied with co-operation and the utilisation of local institutions to control crime, resulting in healthier lifestyles, communities and society as a whole.

A redeveloped East Port-of-Spain will also exhibit such qualities.

This article is not intended to embarrass or label the residents of East Port-of-Spain and the other areas mentioned. Indeed, there are people in those societies who are defenders of norms and values, but the truth is many thorns lie between those beds of roses and as the older roses wither away, thorns continue to develop.

This article is intended to highlight the positive results of social transformation and should also be seen as a proactive approach to crime-fighting.

On the other hand, the Government needs to institute educational measures aimed at highlighting the long-term positive social effects on the communities rather than just selling the idea of breaking down dilapidated houses to replace them with new ones.

Deon Jeffers is the education officer of the PNM National Youth League