Open mike: The JEWEL initiative

The following submission was sent in by Jonathan Starling.

With Hurricane Florence threatening, there is a need for grassroots self-reliance and social responsibility.

I became a Regimental conscript in January 2003. I left the Regiment as a full Corporal in February 2006. During my Regimental career I participated in the Fabian clean-up: I and about 50 other soldiers spent the hurricane at Warwick Camp in order to hit the road right away and clear the way for other soldiers to embody. I later helped out in the aftermath of Ivan, first in the Cayman Islands and later in Grenada.

From these experiences, I would like to put forward the following idea: the organic construction of a civilian volunteer force to assist in the clean-up of hurricanes. This force would assist the Regiment, but to not be subordinated to the Regimental hierarchy.

Why do I feel there is a need for this? In the Fabian clean-up, I distinctly remember groups of youth sitting off egging us soldiers to get on with the clean-up job. These were able-bodied young men, who could have been a valuable asset in returning the island to normality, yet they could only think "some-one else will clear this up; we can sit off and enjoy a beer". To me this betrays a colonial mentality of accepting a status quo of leaders and led, of forfeiting ones own capacity for self-reliance and social responsibility and expecting authorities to do what we as a community could do (and thus reinforcing the existing power structure). Rather than getting together and saying, "This is the problem in our community, this is what we can do, but we could use a little help with resources: can the State assist?" they instead say, "This is a problem in our community: why doesn’t the State fix it?" A total forfeiture of self-worth and ability.

That said, the Regiment’s training brought out a degree of self-reliance and social responsibility in a good number of its enlisted soldiers. It showed us what we were capable of, even with all the hurdles of bureaucracy that hampered us, and demonstrated the importance of social responsibility. This was demonstrated in the volunteer force to the Caymans, and in the impromptu and embryonic soldiers' councils of the barracks. The latter affirmed support for helping society in the clean-up, but criticised the Regiment's structure and ability (a focus more on power control combined with a degree of incompetence), which in their view hampered the clean-up efforts.

Many soldiers who honestly want to help felt they could no longer work within the Regimental straight-jacket. Like me, they elected to leave after our three years, rather than sign on for more years. The Regiment possesses both the resources to achieve the aims of hurricane clean-up and the ability to bring people together towards such a common aim. However, I believe there are plenty ex-soldiers like me who are willing to work together for the good of the country, but not under the structure of the Regiment.

I am not calling for the disbanding of the Regiment, or the end of conscription. I support the Regiment (but advocate certain internal reforms) and a fair and universal conscription. But I am calling for a parallel force based on the ideals of grassroots democracy rather than military hierarchies, to assist with hurricanes. Ideally these should be based on the neighbourhood unit, and ultimately under an elected and accountable Parish Council system, distributed throughout the island. Initially, the most important task would be to build a St. George’s force (given the real possibility of the Causeway being affected) and a central force to assist with the heavily populated areas of the island. I believe there are plenty of ex-soldiers who would be willing to assist, and once we can demonstrate eagerness, we can work on collecting resources (machetes, chainsaws, gloves, even trucks). It is also entirely possible that such a force could also serve as a vehicle for constructing a parallel and more democratic system of Parish Councils.

It is obvious that citizens forming such a force would be limited in their time capacity, since we have our own jobs. However, such a force could be effective in the initial aftermath of a hurricane - and subsequently, after work and on days off - to return our neighbourhoods to normality. The Regiment's first objective is the clearing of a single lane for emergency vehicles and the securing of key points. A parallel force could have as its aims the clearing of neighbourhood roads, furthering the return of two-lane traffic in its areas of operation, and attending to the general welfare of citizens (incapacitated people whose roofs have been damaged, etc.).

Moreover, I see no reason why such an organisation could not be used in non-emergency situations to assist in neighbourhood beautification and welfare projects such as litter pickup, construction and maintenance of playgrounds, and even the culling of invasives (practice for hurricane clean-ups) and the planting of native/endemics that add to our ecological worth and are more hurricane-resistant. I expect that such an organisation would work alongside other groups such as KBB and PACT to achieve more together than such groups working independently.

Obviously, this force should be open to all residents of the island, but it would make sense for its initial nucleus to be composed of ex-soldiers who have the recent experience of Fabian and other storms. Ideally all citizens/residents may participate as collective self-reliance and social responsibility.

I will tentatively call such an initiative JEWEL, standing for a Bermudian Joint Endeavour for Welfare, Education and Liberation. Welfare, because that is a primary goal/objective of the organisation. Education, as such an organisation cannot but help self-educate in the ideals of self-reliance and social responsibility, and could also include educational programs (tutoring kids, adult education programmes, knowledge about natural history, proper culling techniques, etc.). Liberation, in that such an organisation would seek to liberate ourselves from a dependency on the existing power structure, on an expectation that others will fix the problems in our midst, problems which we as a community can deal with. I take no stand on Independence here. Joint Endeavour, as it would be just that: a joint endeavour of citizens working together democratically for the common welfare of the community. Plus, it makes a good acronym.

Individuals who support the ideals of such an initiative and are willing to assist in building it, please contact me (my email address is jonnystar5 at hotmail dot com), or simply start organising yourselves. I also look forward to constructive discussion on potential problems with such an organisation, and what might be done to make it better.

Comments

[Pat on 08.09.06 at 23:19]

I am a Bermudian living in Western Australia for the last 32 years. The Aussies have a great volunteer ethos. Apart from the volunteer bush fire brigades etc there is also the State Emergency Service (SES). They are a group of volunteers who turn out in storms or times of need to secure tarps on roofs, cut fallen trees, board up windows etc - whatever is required to make the house as secure as possible, the roads passable, and so on. They are often kept going by the kindly ministrations of the Salvation Army (Salvos) and others who feed and water them (thus adding to the chain of good deeds).

Each local council has a branch of the SES. They are also happy to help out on doorknocks for the Red Cross etc. as well as a myriad of other jobs I and most people wouldn't know about. Their employers are usually agreeeable to them having time off when in need.

[noVote on 09.09.06 at 00:32]

Nice idea......and back in the real world....

[Craig Davis on 09.09.06 at 03:34]

Jonathan..

An extremely good idea from my perspective - and it could serve to re-kick the parish councils and bring a sense of community within each area.

I would support it (once I'm back on the island which won't unfortunately be until after this hurricane season!)

Perhaps the next step would be to grab a representative from each Parish Council (assuming one can be found) and have a candid discussion with them. Probably won't be until post Florence!

I would suggest that coordination with the EMO should be done in advance at least at a high level (general objectives) to prevent arguments about responsibilities when on the ground.

[SmokingGun on 09.09.06 at 10:27]

Good idea John. Hope it comes together. For starters though I think all Regiment Soldiers should be issued 5 pairs of hand-cuffs each. Any time a wall sitting beer drinking lazy ass scoffs at them they get the clamps, an an orange jump-suit and put to work in a chain gang.

I'll be happy to help out. Hopefully it won't be a hard hit this time around.