Guardian Radio Today - August 18 2025

[00:00:00] Speaker A: And engaging conversations. [00:00:02] Speaker B: 96.9 FM. The views and opinions of the hosts. [00:00:07] Speaker C: And guests are their own and do. [00:00:10] Speaker B: Not necessarily reflect the views of the management. [00:00:21] Speaker D: Guardian Radio Today is brought to you by ALA Battery, the Ministry of Tourism Printmasters Ross Electric Motor. [00:00:53] Speaker C: Good afternoon, good afternoon to you beautiful people here in the sunny isles called the Commonwealth. This is Guardian Radio 96.9 FM. You are tuned into the program Guardian Today. We've had a pretty good weekend say on the program Remark and once again today from 12 to 2 for Guardian today and for those people who 5 to 6 30, you know the person of Darvin Russell. Darvin Russell is the co host of Remark. I did mention on the air that he had some family situation that he had to attend to. He returned back to us safely on Saturday and we took Sunday off to allow Gabby and the youth of the nation to speak to you. And today I had promised Darwin being away for so long, I think at least two Sundays or so that I would sit with him today and give him the opportunity to speak about what he loves most. This gentleman loves numbers, he loves economics and I would listen to the news. I mean as we look at we see a whole lot of issues but the biggest issue right now it says on alert. As you probably heard on earlier programs today Morning Blend and probably on the Clock with Erin Green and of course Ca nury. But now we're looking at this again and on alert in our vocabulary means expenses and you're going to have to be prepared for such. Most of the issues that we find facing our nation today are basically economic situations. If we had sufficient money or a way of sufficient, maybe we can do much better as a country or maybe we have sufficient money and maybe we're misappropriating that money or misspending that money. And so this program is going to be one. I hope that will be more informative for you. I'm not going to get into the nitty gritty of whose fault is it so far here on Guardian Today I think we've been more solution oriented, balls at you to see what your response was and amazingly for those so I guess that's the way it works sometime we disagree to agree some of the day. What matters most from guarding today is that you are informed but most of all the knowledge base has increased. Our wherewithal has been more beneficial to us in terms of us understanding who we are and where we need to be as a nation. And so without further ado, I want to turn the microphone over to Darvin Russell co host of the program remark every Sunday, 5 to 6:30. Welcome back home, sir. You have our continued condolences and sympathies. [00:03:41] Speaker A: Thank you. [00:03:42] Speaker C: But we are simply admirable as to your loyalty and your commitment to your family. And I think we're just glad that you shared time with them and you made it back to us safely. [00:03:52] Speaker B: Thank you, sir. Good afternoon, Bahamas. Good afternoon to the listening audience and thank you for those of you that were aware and sent condolences on your behalf to Garth for me and my family. [00:04:04] Speaker C: So. [00:04:06] Speaker B: As we get older these things are inevitable, that they, that they happen. My thoughts, prayers and love are with my family in Tampa who experienced the loss of my brother in law, my sister in law's husband over the last week. So that had me out of pocket attending to affairs. So an amazing person he was. It was a rough week trying to encourage my family and encourage myself during his sudden passing. So give an extra hug to those in your sphere today to make sure that everyone knows that you love them because we are only afforded a certain period of time here on this earth. Today, I'd like to talk about the state of our children. You know, we are entering a new academic year. In the next week or so, two weeks or so, the majority of our children will return to the classrooms across the length and breadth of this nation. And I just have one question to kick off the program. Are our children okay? As you know, I am a man of research, so I like to add some facts and numbers to inform our discourse today. For those of you that are going to be joining us in conversation, the numbers, as you know, are 323-623-325-4316 and 325-4259. For those that are calling from the family of Islands, it's 242-300-5720. And for those sending us texts and WhatsApp messages, the number is 422-4796. Now, in the Bahamas, you know, we're not known to be a country that provides the degree of transparency that I think that we would like as a citizenry. And so it's difficult oftentimes to get current and credible data. But over the last few years there have been a series of studies, reports that have been published that I'm going to use as the backdrop for our discussion today about our children. So our children today are dealing with a confluence of significant one being an increased rate of suicide among our children. And by definition, we're talking about children between the ages of 13 and 18. I don't know if many of you paid attention, but the Minister of Health, during his contribution to the budget earlier this year, released and quoted from this global health survey in 2025. It was released around somewhere between April and July. And the alarming statistic that he highlighted was one in five Bahamian children between the ages of 13 and 18 have attempted suicide. 20% of our children have attempted suicide. The data from this report took place from data gathered up to but we only had six suicides in all of 2023 and a total of eight suicides in 2024. Era he had in all of 2020 number of 20. So we're talked about this and I thought he had no single cause, but we can know the pressures and real expectations, the silence, the bullying, the economic strain at home and the growing pressure of social media. According to the pm, our children are carrying burdens many of us cannot see and in cases, cannot even begin to understand. Now, I, as a father, those of you that know me, know that Munchkin is as close to my heart as any human being can be. And she and I were. Were having this conversation the other day because she experienced bullying when she was in primary school. And I too experience bullying, but mine occurred when I was in high school and it wasn't as brutal as what she experienced in primary school. And what is troubling about her experience now that she's an adult? Because it still distresses me to this day whenever I have to recall that time in her life. What distresses me about her experience was the fact that with good parents, she still felt uncomfortable sharing what she was going through with us. And I asked her, I said, well, why was that the case? Did you think that we would not do anything? She said, actually, Daddy, to the contrary, especially, I felt if I involved you, you would basically destroy everybody in an effort to protect me. And I felt as though that that would escalate the situation and make it worse. Now, I want that to sink into you parents. This is not as simple as the children being comfortable telling us. It requires the entire ecosystem that they touch every day. The teachers, the administrators, their fellow colleagues and friends at school to take an active role and interest in helping them navigate these challenges that they're facing. And my daughter had this experience at 7, 8 years old. So we're not talking about a teenager who may be more mentally apt to deal with it. So I asked her, I said, what. What do you think that we can do as parents, as a society to improve the situation for children your age, when you were that age. And she said, well, Daddy, the only answer truthfully is to make the kids themselves stronger mentally. And that's tough to do because you want to fit in with your classmates. You want to not be singled out, which was the case with her. And she had students not talking to her at break or lunch. And it was just a really bad situation. So I want you to really just sit down, pay attention to your children as they go to school. Their mood changes, their eating habit changes, talk to their teachers, find out how they are in their classrooms. You have to be one of those helicopter parents who are hovering over your children, especially when they are that young. So the first thing that the children are dealing with, like I said, is increased suicides. The second piece of data that I want us to think about today are about specifically our daughters as it relates to sexual assault with our female children. According to crime statistics, 211 incidents in 2024 were reported. Sexual offenses were reported. 98% of those victims were female, 61% of them. All suspects, as a matter of fact, were male and 61% of them were under the age of 35. But here's the kicker. The victims, 61% of the victims were between the ages of 14 and 16, and 66% were under the age of 14. So our daughters are not safe. Third point I want to add to your hearing. The increased murder rate that we all are struggling with as a society is being perpetrated by young people under the age of 45. The victims disproportionately are also young. Folks under the age of 35 represent 27% of the population, but 62% of all homicides. According to the Commission of Police, in the latest crime report released for 2024, 78% of all homicides are from people between the ages of 18 to 45. Now, in the Bahamas, we do not break out murder for folks under 18, either as victims or perpetrators in the data. So I wasn't able to get that information for you. But nonetheless, you and I read the newspaper and you realize that especially some of these brazen killings, a lot of them have been conducted. The victims were young, maybe under 21, and the perpetrators were also young under the age of 21. The fourth data point, for your consideration on the state of our children, the rate of leaving certificates. In the Bahamas, we now have a graduation rate, meaning the success by achieving a Bahamas high school diploma of 56%. That's actually up 10 basis points from 2019. But that means over 40% of our children are leaving school without a high school diploma. Now, those of you that are employers like myself out there, you know that that is going to be a particular challenge when it comes to hiring that demographic for their first job out of school. If the students are challenged to be literate and numerate, if the students are challenged in the area of critical thinking, if the students are challenged in the areas of math and English proficiency. So Once again, only 60% of our children are graduating with a high school diploma. And according to the Ministry of Education, the goal is to get that number to 80% by 2030. So they've got a, a five year target that they're trying to achieve a more acceptable measure. Bear in mind now this is, this is considered low across the Caribbean relative to the Caribbean neighbors. And this is certainly low considered when you, when you take into account our OECD neighbors, our folks to the north in the United States. Fifth data point, the percent of college of graduates from high school that go to college in the Bahamas. Tertiary enrollment of 18 to 20 year olds, 21 year olds in the Bahamas is at an abysmally low 18%. You want to guess what the average is for our neighbors around the region or in the United States? Glad you asked. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it's 54%. In the United States, it's a whopping 61% of high schoolers who go to college. So when you talk about a gap that we are working from, you realize the litany of problems that this creates when it comes to job creation. The ability to create more engineers, more science majors, the ability to create more folks that are not only employable in those higher professions, but are able to create jobs themselves. I can let you talk. Next one. [00:16:24] Speaker C: Do you let me talk? [00:16:24] Speaker B: Yeah, man, I know you're ready. Next one. Youth unemployment rate In 2024, 19% of persons between the ages of 15 to 25 were unemployed. When we have a national unemployment rate of only 8.7%. So our young people are almost three times as likely to be unemployed than the average. The final data point that I will talk to you about comes from a global school health report that the Minister of Health released during his budget communication. For those of you that have not read this report, I know we're not fans of reading sometimes these heavy, heavy data, data produced reports. But it's essential for us to really get a sense of what's going on in this nation. This has been, in my humble estimation, probably the most comprehensive report I have read. Specifically dealing with our children and specifically dealing with children between the ages of 13 and 17. The findings of this report are staggering. Dr. Darvill highlighted some of them in his contribution. But I'm going to give you some more points and I'm going to encourage you to go and read that report. If you need it, I am happy to send it to you. I have the PDF on my computer and I'm happy to send it to Garth to send out to anybody that wants to read it. You can also go to the Ministry of Health and Wellness's website. It's also on there. So here are some of the key findings before I let Garth, because he's chomping at the bits, to add his contributions, some of the findings. 21% of our teens are now considered obese. 56% of our teens are sexually active by the age of 13. 17% of our children use e cigarettes and 10% of them smoke traditional cigarettes. 74% of our children are drinking. 16% of our children have used marijuana and 12% have used cocaine. 32% of our teens are experiencing, have experienced or witnessed violence in their homes. 30% of our children have been involved in fights. 38% of our students admit that they were bullied. 30% of our teens are always or most of the time feel depressed and hopeless. 20% of our teenagers have attempted suicide. What I found particularly troubling for me is actually our role as parents when they ask the teens what's going on with them in their homes. In 1998, 78.2% of Bahamian teens reported that their parents regularly checked their homework. I want you to listen to me. Bahamas. By 2023, when this report's data was gathered, only 21.4%. Sorry. Only 30.5% of the students indicate that their parents routinely monitor homework. And 50% of the teens indicate that their parents rarely or never paid attention to their homework. Additionally, 37.2% of teens state that their parents or guardians never really knew what they were doing during their free time. These findings may allude to the widening disconnect between teens and their caregivers. So I ask you, Bahamas, are your children okay? Parents, Are you okay? Garth? We're gonna take our first break, eh? [00:20:51] Speaker C: Yeah. We just got joined by a young person, Gabby. She just finished school the other day. I know she got something to say, but. Folks, this is Guardian Today Garden Radio, 96.9 FM. We're gonna take this quick break and we can really chop this thing up. We gotta chop this thing up. But the numbers don't sound too healthy. We have to talk about this. I'll meet you after the break. [00:21:30] Speaker D: Anyone who fulfill my needs a lonely place to be and so I learned to depend on me. I decided long ago tired of banks forcing you to use technology to bank the way they want you to. Your convenience is important. So no matter what your banking needs, Commonwealth Bank's friendly staff are always available in branch for that personal one on one service. But when you choose technology, our online and mobile banking app offers you state of the art functionality. The choice is yours. Commonwealth bank bank the way you want. [00:22:18] Speaker A: Now Let me see now. [00:22:19] Speaker C: 326Etic hello Hello. [00:22:22] Speaker A: This this EPIC EKIT battery this Ms. Beulah from around the corner. [00:22:26] Speaker D: I hear you are selling tire on Wolf Road too. [00:22:30] Speaker A: Praise the Lord. It's about time. [00:22:32] Speaker D: I live Fox Hill and Fire Trail. [00:22:35] Speaker B: It's too far that a they open. [00:22:37] Speaker D: Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm on. [00:22:40] Speaker B: Sunday and holiday 8am to 4pm My. [00:22:43] Speaker D: Brother Sam, he's a hacker and he could go right there and get fix up. [00:22:46] Speaker B: Call us at 326epic. We ship also to the family Island. Great news. [00:22:50] Speaker C: Ron's Electric Motors new location on Cowpen. [00:22:53] Speaker A: Road right next to Island Luck is open Saturdays and Sundays. [00:22:56] Speaker C: So for those needing repairs on electric. [00:22:58] Speaker B: Motors, generators, welding machines, water pumps, battery. [00:23:02] Speaker A: Charges, electric lifts, transformers and power tools. [00:23:05] Speaker C: Ron's Cowpen Road location can have you. [00:23:07] Speaker A: Up and running on weekends. Don't forget you can still visit Ron's. [00:23:10] Speaker C: Electric Motors on Wolf Road and Claridge Road. And now Ron's new location on Cowpen Road. [00:23:15] Speaker B: Dial 356-0249 or 323-5267. [00:23:23] Speaker D: Love the show. [00:23:24] Speaker A: Want to give your support. Become a sponsor today. [00:23:26] Speaker D: Call 302-2300 for our rates and packages. That's 302-2300. Become a sponsor on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM. Fresh news, smart talk all day. [00:23:41] Speaker B: This is Guardian Radio 96.9 FM. Fresh news Smart talk all day. [00:24:08] Speaker D: I believe the children are future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. [00:24:21] Speaker C: Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children's laughter remind us how. [00:24:35] Speaker A: We used to be. [00:24:38] Speaker C: Everybody, everybody's searching for a hero. And I recall as a child myself that the first heroes that we ever glanced upon, Darwin, Russell and Gabby was our parents. They were our heroes. When we bruised the knee or we got into some problem, some issue, our parents were always there to rescue us until we got to the age of you said 12, 13, mischief starts to come in and we want to be our own man, our own woman. And our heroes begin to dwindle as we attempted to be heroes to our friends. And as we got older, those people who we attempted to be heroes to, those numbers began to dwindle. We lost many good friends along the way due to bad habits, misbehavior, association. And today as I look around for the people that I now call friends, you can almost count them on one hand. And so you have friends now, you have associates and then you got people that you just know of. And eventually I'm gonna have a conversation with you people about the circle. You got to know your circle and sometimes you gotta change your circle. But if you understand the immediate circle that you are in, Darvin Russell, it brings a sense of purpose. When you find what your purpose is and you find the people around you that have similar purpose, then it makes living this life easier. And then you find yourself, not purposely, but you find yourself in the eyes of many a hero because of how you live. And so even today, as I go through a challenge with my own mother who has been my hero my entire life, my father also just had a medical scare. I have to pause today to understand one thing, that as old as I am, I am still my parents child and they treat me with such kid gloves. And the only thing you can do at this stage of your life is you're ready to surrender everything to show your appreciation for your heroes. Young people tend to at times not acknowledge, acknowledge the heroes that exist in our society. Gabby is here. I know she's going to fight me on this. But as we listen to those statistics, Darvin Russell, you are a factual individual and I guess so is Gabby. She does her research. But you have to also figure that as we move forward in this country, yes, we need the old, yes, we need the new. We have to learn to work with each other. But timing is everything in this world. And right now it's time for us to take a call on the line. Caller, go ahead. Hey, thanks a lot, man. We appreciate it. [00:27:29] Speaker A: I really love this topic right now because one is a multifaceted topic. There's no silver bullet to solve this problem. I'm going to tell you, I'm going to give you one or two things about this topic, about the leaving certificate rate. I've seen parents for my own eyes, right hold junko no practice and cow belts for their child getting leaving certificate. My lord, we celebrate mediocrity. Mediocrity Today is the order of the day for F report cars, right. I've seen this. I've seen children get PlayStation vibes. [00:28:03] Speaker B: Jesus. [00:28:04] Speaker A: For F grade 2 pertaining to homework assignments, right. Parents are not torn in or in tune with the homework assignments one because the parents actually don't know how to do it. Have you ever seen a seventh grade homework assignment today? [00:28:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:28:22] Speaker A: I guarantee you are above average individual rate. You have difficulty doing it so the parent can't do it. They can't understand it. The second thing is some parents aren't taking the time to even look at the assignment one because they didn't want the child to begin with. The child just happened to come along one day you just choose in next day child born. You see the problem. [00:28:49] Speaker B: I do. [00:28:49] Speaker A: And then you decide you want the government to deal with your child and raise your child. You look for social services and you believe everyone for your own silly decision. The child ain't asked to be here. [00:29:03] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:29:04] Speaker A: If you sleep with one another, would you expect to come out the fridge or stove or microwave? A child can come out so you have to bear responsibility for the child. Third thing I want to bring out, right? We are, I shouldn't say we because we tend to use this we term very loosely nowadays. [00:29:19] Speaker C: And even me, I tell you, I. [00:29:21] Speaker A: Tend to do it. I tend to do it and I'm at fault of that. I come on radio, I say we. I'll say people in large majorities, yes sir. Do the same stupid ignorant habit. But I really detest right now we have a two year old child, right? The child will cry, you know, we do, we stick a tablet in the child hand to shut the child up. So now the tablet takes the place of the parent. [00:29:51] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:29:51] Speaker A: The tablet is raising the child. [00:29:53] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:29:54] Speaker A: You know it is beyond the tablet, that's real talk. If we had. If me or you, I'm 48, almost 50. You know the stupidness we watch on satellite. Every single bad deed we do nowadays, we learn off of that satellite. I'm telling you, this adult conversation now. [00:30:16] Speaker C: Yes sir. Yes sir. [00:30:17] Speaker A: How much sexual things you learn offer that satellite? [00:30:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:30:21] Speaker A: So imagine the tablet. Wow. You notice when cable came around, right? The rate crime, the house crime raised in the Bahamas. And that's why I should say it because now you're no longer ignorant of what's going on in the world. [00:30:35] Speaker B: Yes sir. [00:30:36] Speaker A: I've seen more gay things on these cartoons nowadays. The parent don't know because the child just scrolling through, scrolling through, scrolling through. They're not monitoring what the child is watching. [00:30:47] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:30:48] Speaker A: So like I say, it's a multi facet problem we have in the society. That's my, my last point. Right. The environment. Do you realize, right, that prison has now caught up? I shouldn't say prison. Let me reverse it. Society outside of prison is now worse than prison. [00:31:07] Speaker B: Jesus. [00:31:09] Speaker A: You realize the environment of these people living nowadays is worse than prison. Prison nowadays is like the helping hotel to some of these individuals. My Lord, you get three meals a day on the street. These kids nowadays don't know where they can get one meal a day. [00:31:29] Speaker C: I mentioned that before. Yes, I have. [00:31:31] Speaker A: They rob you $25, right? They're happy. [00:31:34] Speaker C: Yeah. Punishment isn't really punishment for that, man. I appreciate your contribution. I'm gonna have to take another caller, but I really appreciate that very solid contribution. Next caller, go ahead, please. [00:31:44] Speaker A: Mr. Roswell, how are you? [00:31:45] Speaker C: I'm here with Darwin Russell and Gabby Inez. [00:31:49] Speaker A: Remember I was telling you earlier, I think I called you one time and I was telling you. But when Gabrielle said, well, these young people, not the knocker, I was saying they are influenced and I agree with the influence of so much things and. Or let the young person be in charge. Let the young person. But man, you're in charge. You all have a bunch of funny ideas. I ain't saying you want to do the writing, but you all being in grow to be the older generation, growing extensible in my opinion, and more strategic rate. Now you're being so influenced by so many things. How you want to put the young person in charge of this ministry? How do you understand that this country be in a deeper hell if we allow the people who are visible knowledge of a bunch of different things come by. When you go to school and come back, they come up with nothing in their head. Only ideas that people never experienced before. At least our parents grew up with a mentality that someone didn't do before this. It works now. We, when we go with a mentality where we don't know what the results is, we just try new things. [00:32:52] Speaker C: Hey, man, I appreciate your call. Regular Gabby David, let me take the next caller, please. Go ahead, call her. [00:32:59] Speaker A: Good afternoon to you all. [00:33:00] Speaker B: Good afternoon, my brother. [00:33:01] Speaker C: How are you? [00:33:02] Speaker A: Yeah, man, I am. I'm feeling, I'm. I'm feeling. Everything you're doing, I'm feeling. I'm feeling it. When I feel it too much, then I break down and start crying. So I skip that feeling. I understand and move on. You know, I kind of like the theme you have here and I want to Compare it to, I think this guy named Mikio Kaku. He said one time ago that Albert Einstein is a name we're all familiar with. Before he died, he was working, you know, he's the guy just working on equations. If you look at the blackboard or the board or his book, you wouldn't even know how to read it. But he was trying to. He was working on the theory of everything. [00:33:38] Speaker B: Yes, sir. [00:33:38] Speaker A: Which is an equation that would summarize all the laws of the universe. Now, you know, for somebody to spend that kind of time and the only thing they were working on before they die was that they far above us. Because I would have loved to see if he was able to summarize all the laws of this universe, I probably would be in a better place. But you know, you mentioned that our daughters are not safe. You know, there was a time in history when up to current time, you know, a boy's not safe. And this preying on young people. [00:34:14] Speaker B: Yes. [00:34:15] Speaker A: If you go all the way back in time, you know, the dead was not safe because it was a French guy who decided he was, you know, he was gonna have sex with the dead. But then they won't name that Negrophilia, a name closely sounding like Negro. But it was a white man who tried that. I feel you so don't do that to us. [00:34:33] Speaker B: But I appreciate your contribution. But I, but I, but I do think, and I'll talk about a little bit later in the show, I don't want to talk about girls only at the expense of boys because they both are in peril, just in different ways. So I appreciate that contribution. [00:34:47] Speaker C: All right, thank you caller. Let me take another caller. Go ahead, caller. Go ahead, caller, go ahead. [00:34:54] Speaker B: You're on the air. [00:34:55] Speaker A: Yes, good afternoon, the house talking. And I was listening to the data on what was read. And I remember about 15 years ago I was in a third party and I had to do a paper on crime. [00:35:14] Speaker B: Yes, sir. [00:35:15] Speaker A: And when I did my research and did the paper on crime, I realized that because the government was draining the people, people with finances and money is why the crime start to rise. And when you really look at our budgets from at least about 20 years ago, anytime they do the budget, they were carrying up taxes on little things here and there. Every year, new year where they cut taxes where the people could have feel the difference. But every year they were slowly creeping taxes up. I have a truck. Years ago my tries to pay $200 to license my truck. Now I paying $600 to license my truck. So A lot of things start to go. And then now, you know, I was raising hell and making noise about boat. I have a 23 foot boat and I was paying $80 to license that. And now three years ago now I paying $500 something dollars now to license it. So the government is carrying up taxes every year and draining the money from us. So therefore that caused crime to rise drastically. And I don't care what they say or what program they come in, if they continue to drain the money from the people, it's going to get worse. And that is our big problem. [00:36:35] Speaker B: So you're saying that the policies disproportionately. [00:36:38] Speaker A: Impact the poor and the parents should have been able to take better control of their kids. [00:36:45] Speaker B: I got a question for you. Are you saying that in your research you found that the tax policy of successive governments has disproportionately impacted the poor? [00:36:57] Speaker A: Yes, big time. [00:36:58] Speaker B: All right, fair enough. [00:36:59] Speaker C: Thanks a lot for your call, my brother. Thank you so much. Gabby Darwin said you got to respond to some things and you are declaring your throat and coughing and you young people, something else. Go ahead. [00:37:10] Speaker D: Firstly, let me say good afternoon to the listeners. I have to tell your good cousin mommy good afternoon because she gonna download the Guardian radio app today to listen to us. So you have to tell your good and just family, hello, thank you for listening in, but I want to jump straight into it due to our time constraints and you know, this just ties in yesterday's conversation so beautifully. [00:37:35] Speaker C: Davin, I'm tired of it. Davin, we about to go to break. [00:37:38] Speaker A: Listen. [00:37:38] Speaker C: And I know young people take all our old people time. We ain't got much time left. [00:37:41] Speaker D: So see, see that's the problem. You always say we used the microwave generation, but now you won't rush me. [00:37:45] Speaker C: I ain't rushing you. I just know the break and rush you. [00:37:48] Speaker D: No, I know some regulation. I can finish that point. [00:37:51] Speaker C: All right then, good. [00:37:52] Speaker D: But I got laid a foundation. [00:37:53] Speaker C: Please do. [00:37:55] Speaker D: So I hear what that call is saying that you know, there are young people making poor choices. I understand that. I'm not going to fight him on that. But every generation we've had wayward youth. In the 70s it was drugs, big drug boys running all around the Bahamas. Some of them now sitting in high offices of this country right now. In the 80s there was violence. These things didn't just start in the 90s there was teenage pregnancy. We are birthing from these very generations. We were brought forward. So is it the symptom? [00:38:45] Speaker C: Darvin, let me fix that quickly. Darvin. Could I go ahead? Because whoever been reading them bedtime stories to her leave out plenty of information. Go ahead, watch this. [00:38:54] Speaker D: Because the only thing different now is social media. [00:38:56] Speaker C: I grew up in the 70s, 80s, 90s, Y2K. All this stuff would happen. I have all, all that experience under my belt. I survived that. I know what it means to survive young people as I was one time ago, believe it or not, I too was young like the old said to me. I was young too. You know, I disrespected older people because I felt it was my time. I am older now and I'll say this to you, and I say this to all young people in the country. Had I listened to the older people sooner, I'd have been wealthier and much more strong as a man. I just grew up yesterday. I just found myself yesterday. I am 56 years old and I promise you this, as smart as I am, two master's degrees, been around the world, I've been in battle. And Darwin, you know about this with the African, the Chinese, the Japanese, the British man, the Polynesian, everybody sitting in one classroom and we got to get this a grade. I've been with all these different cultures. I had to work with these people and understand these people to get ahead. And I still came home to this country ignorant because I didn't understand relationship with other people, including young people. And I had to learn that, you know what? When you see a child, I used to say this to my co workers all the time. When you see a child, listen first to what the child is saying because it was Samuel who heard the voice of God and not Eli. I understand that all too well. But how dare a young person see an older person and just automatically disrespect them. There are some older people who are silly and stupid. I'm gonna tell you, you got plenty of them. We got a whole draw over them. But I'm gonna say this to you. If you believe, Gabby, as a young person, that you are a leader in your age bracket, we call him Gen Z. I heard you. I heard you yesterday. Gen Z and all kind of Z and I and B. And the woman said, I trying to understand you all I good. This is what I can say to you. We need to see your strength in your age category first. We want to see you influence like Darwin said. Those statistics, I want to see you bring those numbers up. Because when you say you want to take this country over, this is the same type of attitudes and behaviors that you're gonna have to bring up again. The Same statistics is gonna have to improve again. And so I. I know people want to take on a task because in their mind it's ideal and they can do it, but they cannot even perform it. Now, you just left high school the other day. The high school. Who was in high school, who was a coma Somali and cum laude and all these other honors. Why can't you make 15, 20 other people in your classroom leaders too? When I was in RM Bailey, class of what is so long ago? 87. I had to go back to high school after I graduated from SAC because they couldn't read my transcript. Mr. Morley, my geography teacher said to me, I never gave an A in my entire career. When I got an A in his class in the second term, the second, whatever you call it. Second semester, third trimester, whatever, right. My goal for the third trimester was to grade three more A grades in that class, I kid you not. And I did it. Gino Maycock was one of them and Ruby was another one. I found that I needed to influence people in my class and wherever I've come in this life, Gabby, it doesn't matter if I'm old. I'm young. Presently my task is to influence those my age so that we can rise to what we need to be. So I appreciate ambition. I appreciate ambition. But as you, as you. As you gain this ambition and this energy, you got to grab some people's hands and take them along with you. [00:42:34] Speaker D: But that's not. I'm not fighting you on that. [00:42:37] Speaker C: Oh, you don't fight it. [00:42:38] Speaker D: What I'm saying is, is that this existed in every generation, of course, and. [00:42:43] Speaker C: We survive that being. [00:42:44] Speaker D: But it's being fr. It's being made same right now that it's only the young people now it's being. It's being casted a blanket over them. I have. I have friends whose parents didn't go past the. The third grade. [00:43:00] Speaker C: Okay? [00:43:01] Speaker D: I had a friend who, when her parents got the mortgage documents, she was in grade three and she had to go with them to read those documents. I'm making up. I had a friend in Grand Bahama. His father highest level of education was the sixth grade. Working right there down in Grand Bahama at Baco. I think it was the oil. The oil company. So these statistics now are more prevalent and being made to seem like this level of education was. Is only being attained in this generation when this existed for generations. [00:43:42] Speaker C: Darvin, answer this lady, please. [00:43:43] Speaker B: No, I'm trying to understand because you. [00:43:45] Speaker C: Brought a statistics here. She's trying to say These statistics are only for now. We're not talking about social media. [00:43:50] Speaker D: Has now historically has now made situations when Davin brought the information about sexual violence. These things ain't just sexual. That happening. I've been hearing about it growing up on the street as a matter of fact walking down the streets. We want to talk about our girls walking down the street. Didn't understand being naive. I had men on the street saying three more connect season, two more connects. Okay, you, you tell me what that mean. [00:44:17] Speaker C: I know you, you tell me what. [00:44:19] Speaker D: I mean as a mature one sitting. [00:44:21] Speaker B: Before the age you can stand at that table. Yeah, yeah. [00:44:24] Speaker D: So they are watching me walk from school and telling me how much connect season before I am marked safe for them to approach. [00:44:32] Speaker B: So let me put some context on this. I don't think that it's that I am espousing that these are new phenomenons. I'm a man of data and analysis. I'm talking about the trend lines are going in the wrong direction. So you both are right. The fact is, yes, older men preying on younger girls has been around since the beginning of time. The problem is the magnitude of it is increasing since the 90s. Yes. So what we are talking about is not a conflict between young and old. They are not mutually exclusive. We don't have to, we don't have to give our young people opportunity at the expense of our older people losing it. The pie is large enough for all of us to benefit from it. I think what and this is how we end up dividing each other and fighting over the wrong thing. The issues of today that I'm talking about with our children is the fact that our children are unsafe. And they're unsafe oftentimes because the adult adults are doing something to them. Okay. So if you're talking about rape, the 13 year old girl is being raped by an adult. [00:45:55] Speaker D: Okay. [00:45:56] Speaker A: Okay. [00:45:57] Speaker B: If we're talking about murder of a teenage boy, they're being killed oftentimes by an adult male. If we're talking about any of these issues that are significant, we're talking about an obesity problem. The children aren't feeding themselves. [00:46:19] Speaker D: No, they can't. [00:46:20] Speaker B: The parents are bringing the trash in the home. Now it is not because the parents want to feed their children ramen noodles every day. The caller said it best. They don't have the resources because the resources are being sucked from their homes in any number of ways. The topic this week in the newspaper while I was gone was these obscene BPL and Freeport Power light bills. People in single family homes 1200 square feet are talking about light bills of $1200. That is obscene. That does not require just a letter from the mp. Somebody needs to be held to account because it is criminal. You are not able to use that much power in a house that size even at the rates that we pay. Somebody needs to investigate what is going on in this country. So if I'm making minimum wage, $260 a week, less than 1100 dollars a month and I'm paying rent and light bill and grocery, I can't afford all three of those bills at the same time. Anyway, when we get back, we'll continue this conversation. You're listening to Guardian Radio on 96.9. [00:47:55] Speaker A: When you are hungry and on a tight budget, don't settle. Make the only choice and head on over to Wendy's and grab a Biggie bag. Choose from a day's single classic or spicy chicken with a junior fry, regular drink and four piece nuggets for only 9.95 fat exclusive. Order one today that is made fresh especially for you when you order it. Wendy's is fast food. Done right, certain restrictions apply. This is Guardian Radio, your station for. [00:48:27] Speaker B: Up to the minute news and intelligent. [00:48:30] Speaker A: Interactive and engaging conversations. [00:48:33] Speaker B: 96.9 FM. [00:48:53] Speaker A: One love. [00:48:56] Speaker D: One heart. Let's get together and feel alright. [00:49:03] Speaker A: Hear the children crying Hear the children crying saying give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright. Say it. [00:49:17] Speaker D: Let's get together and feel alright. [00:49:22] Speaker C: Let's get together Bahamas. Let's get it together. This is Guardian today 96.9 FM right here in Nassau, Bahamas. I am your host sitting in, Garth Maynard, Roseboro, welcoming back the remark, co host Darvin Russell. And of course we have the youth of the nation taking over the studio. Ms. Garden, Gabi Ena, she always has something to say. You know Darvin, I didn't tell you this but while you were gone, all of the men except for one I know wanted to beat me up for Gabby. [00:49:57] Speaker B: Oh my Lord. [00:49:58] Speaker C: Everywhere I went they talk, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, Gabby. So I say, well geez, I can't fight you. And of course the ladies, they missed you. [00:50:06] Speaker B: Well, I appreciate the ladies then. [00:50:08] Speaker C: Yeah, the fellas didn't say my lord. J. Yeah, it was only the lady said like where the heck is Darwin? So it's amazing that both of you are here today. [00:50:17] Speaker B: So both demographics are happy. [00:50:19] Speaker C: I would hope so. And if you notice, I'm not saying that much because then if I get in the way then I may be the problem. They may want to delete me from the equation because no one said they may like God. Yeah, boy, you smart. That's why I keep you all around me, you know. But I got to give you the phone line numbers again and then want to read some text while Darwin goes ahead and gives you his synopsis once again. Again puts it out there. And of course Gabby has a response to what he's about to say. Those numbers are 3236-2323-2543-1632-54259. Anywhere from the family of Island 300-5720, or you can text in at 422-4796. This text says great talk show brother Goss. Lady Gavin, recall your guests. You said I called your guest Darwin and Darvin Russell. I'm going to tell you, Darvin Russell, the Bahamas is in disarray and we can do better. We have forgotten our first love who is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We need to become more focused and put our beliefs in Jesus Christ and he will direct our paths in life. However God's got to be. Mr. Russell, the system and human behavior has caused the dumbing down of our educational system and societal lifestyles. But we can do better in this rich Bahamas economy. Yes, it is very criminal to survive in the Bahamas as a Bahamian. That was your first texter. Good day Garth and Gabby and other guests. That's you, Darvin Russell. You are doing a great job. It's better. Okay, we're not going to go on with that one there, but they want us to keep on the good work. Okay, next text. It says good day Garth. And we know that vocational studies is highly necessary in the junior and senior high school because the blue collar workers have labored in the Bahamas. Where is a need for more Bahamians and less non Bahamians is what that text had to say. This person. Let me read this one here first. I hope the PM means the prime minister them heard that's Bahamian what your guest said as it relates to our finite existence and show the Bahamians some love instead of foreigners. Well, I guess we show the foreigners love as well. But we just need to learn how to love a bit better, I think is what they're trying to say. Forgive me if I'm wrong. This other text, this one you may want to combat. Gabby, this one is for you. This is one. I wonder. Why should Gabi read this so we could. Anyway, let me read it. [00:52:52] Speaker D: Read it. [00:52:53] Speaker C: Gabby, good show. Watch this. Now this is something you got to Tackle too. David, good show. But I abhor when you guys read these statistics, although they may be correct, they reflect only the Haitian influx in our schools where there are 70% Haitian. Hence we have this, the average drug and alcohol abuse and all of the poverty and neglect associated with the Haitian immigrants. See, that's why I'm reading this, because I need you all to hear how some people are thinking. Is that okay? It's like you guys live under a rock and cannot comprehend what is happening to this country. We are Haiti, dude. Wake up. Stop being blind to what's in plain sight. Good. Show respect. Then they go on to say, Haitian kids are not interested in school, they just want to work for money. Look in the food stores. Even the cashiers are Haitians. That's the last text. Dalvin, Russell, your show. Go ahead and tell us what you want to tell us and then you can pass the mic to Gabby when you're ready. [00:53:59] Speaker B: No, sure. So before we took the break, we were talking and even during the break, we were talking in studio about how a lot of the challenges that the young people are facing, we as the adults in the room are co contributors to the demise of, of their safety and the challenges that they face. So if our daughters are being raped, for example, they're being raped by adults. Our children are being murdered. They're being murdered nine times out of 10 by adults. The children are leaving school with a leaving certificate. Their parents are adults. The people educating them are adults. We as adults in the room have to take responsibility. They're not going to college because we as adults are not paying for them to go to school. We as adults are not holding them accountable for their grades. So the bottom line is there's a duality of responsibility. You know, I used to, when I was a professor at University of Bahamas, one of the things when we would talk about educational outcomes, I became convinced that really, it's really only three levers that you need to concern yourself with when you talk about educational outcomes and improving them. So if you don't have engaged parents, engaged students and engaged teachers, it's not possible for you to have a successful student. Now people might argue that you can only you can do without one of them. So if you have an engaged student and engaged parent, you can have a semi engaged teacher. The challenge that you face though, that our children are facing is they lack two of the three almost consistently. And in a lot of cases, they themselves are not even engaged and interested in school. Now you can survey them and ask them why school is not fun or of interest to them. But I might surmise and theorize that at least one of the reasons may be we have not attached a benefit that school brings. [00:56:04] Speaker C: Could I insert something there quickly, before Gabby speaks? [00:56:07] Speaker B: Sure. [00:56:08] Speaker C: While at St. Augustine's College, my dad was a biology teacher at RM Bailey, and my mother was a banker at Commonwealth Bank. And of course, she would work very long hours. I know they were interested in my education because they paid for that expensive St. Augustine's College education. For six years they did that. Never faltered on my payments. Always figured that the school itself would be able to possibly save me along with some good genetics. Yes, I remembered getting my diploma. Didn't get a certificate of attendance. I got a diploma. Leviticus Saturday saved to me. I graduated 1.56 GPA. My Lord, I was a horrible kid. Went to RM Bailey, and the teacher I mentioned, Mr. Morley, and then Ms. Theresa MacPhee, she was the math. I hated math. But Ms. McVee even allowed me to teach the class. She believed in me so much that I just became this great student. I just began believing in myself. Everything began making sense to me because of a great educator, a great teacher. And even though my dad was a great teacher because he taught me biology, I went to university and I didn't study no biology. And I got an A grade in university just because my dad was a biology teacher and I just knew biology, it was just automatic for me. Physics, I got an A. Chemistry, I got a D plus, even though I was the chemistry tutor because the teacher didn't like me. And so if your teacher doesn't like you, I don't care what you do. That's how I became a theologian and a preacher. I prayed so much every night. Lord Jesus, God talked to me. Help me with this woman. And then when I heard God say, preach to gospel, boy. Just preach. And that's how I became a preacher. And so if your teachers don't believe in you, and if your parents don't believe in you, guess what else? Who has to believe in you? The brethren in the church. Believe this when I say this to you. Encouragement you get from friends at church has a big influence on your life. The pastor may be no good, but if you have your children placed in the circle of church brethren who are going places, who. Who own food stores and businesses, and you go to their houses for dinner and for lunch, you tend to find yourself wanting to emulate these type of people. Have your children running around the street with these children, you know what I mean? Talking garbage and they want. I mean, I used to do it too. I used to roll up the newspaper, Gabi. And smoke the newspaper. I used to do them things too. But, you know, I was a bad little boy. But I'm saying once you find the value, and that's what parents need to do, allow the children to find the value of life and like Gabby saying, allow the young people to experience a little bit of adulthood under observation. [00:58:50] Speaker B: Yes. [00:58:51] Speaker C: You just watch them and say, you know what? I believe you can be a great businessman. Let me entrust you $50. Let me see if you can make it into $100. You got to do some things like that. [00:58:59] Speaker B: It's just called. [00:59:00] Speaker D: But you know who's good at that? The Greeks. [00:59:04] Speaker A: Oh. [00:59:05] Speaker D: If you watch how the Greek owned businesses operate in this country and I've had the opportunity to become acquainted with a few of them and their children are in those restaurants that they run every day. [00:59:24] Speaker C: The Chinese and the Haitian children too similar or just the Greeks. You only know the Greeks. [00:59:30] Speaker D: I tend to see it more what I've observed with the Greeks and how they pass on. So you don't just inherit that business. You don't just get that, you know that business from the ins and out because you've worked every position I'm talking about. I've seen that child at the door as the hostess. [00:59:49] Speaker C: You know what you're telling me? [00:59:50] Speaker D: The low. Yes, my mommy or my daddy owned this place. [00:59:54] Speaker C: You know what you're telling me? Right. [00:59:55] Speaker D: But I work in here as the hostess because I got to learn every position. I got to know where the money coming in, where the money going out so that when I do get the opportunity. So now they're teaching me, like you say, under observation. They are watching to see if I'm going to be careful and observant at the door before they can give me the keys to the business. [01:00:18] Speaker C: Well, listen here, Gabby trying to tell us she don't hang out and go to the places where we just go and eat. Where we just eat and them little shop on the side of the road and watch them children. She's go where the Greeks are. You know, the Greeks don't got some good tasting food and they don't cost no little bit of money. So, Gabby, you're letting your business out on the street. Caller, go ahead, call her. Go ahead, call her. [01:00:35] Speaker A: Go ahead. Hello? [01:00:38] Speaker C: Yes, go ahead, you're on the air. [01:00:40] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, Good afternoon. Good afternoon. God. Good afternoon, Gabby. And who else is in there? [01:00:49] Speaker C: Darvin, Russell, Davin. [01:00:51] Speaker A: Yes. [01:00:51] Speaker C: I only know Gabby. That's one of y'. All. You only know Gabby, but go ahead. You're mine. [01:00:55] Speaker A: Listen, you're man. I've been listening to Davin. I'm participating with Davin in relation to talk shows for a very long time now. Davin, how you doing? [01:01:03] Speaker B: I'm good, my brother. [01:01:04] Speaker C: How are you? [01:01:05] Speaker A: I'm doing fine, thank you. Always enjoy when you're in the studio. [01:01:08] Speaker B: Thank you. [01:01:09] Speaker A: Passing on information and statistics and facts and benefiting the nation through your experience, whether it be in the classroom or in the country or wherever you would have gained knowledge and experience in the world. So thank you for that. A great conversation, by the way. I've been in and out of the conversation. I really appreciate the statistical information or context that you provided initially, Garvin, because it gave the basis for which the variety or myriad of conversations could take place. Right. I also appreciate what Gavi alluded to when she interjected that a lot of what is in the statistical data has been in existence for decades in the country, which is true. Right. And what I want to add to both of which you all have contributed is one of the biggest problems we have had as a society that while a lot of the information has been in existence for decades. Yes, that is exactly the problem. It has been in existence for decades. And it isn't getting any better. [01:02:19] Speaker B: Precisely. As a matter of fact, it's getting worse. [01:02:23] Speaker C: Great observation. [01:02:24] Speaker A: And. And. And the degree. The. The actual degree to which there is something positive being registered is so marginal. [01:02:32] Speaker B: Yes. [01:02:32] Speaker A: It. It doesn't have the impact that is needed to make a real difference. [01:02:36] Speaker B: Very true. [01:02:37] Speaker A: In the society. Right. [01:02:38] Speaker C: Well, I really appreciate that. I really appreciate that point. [01:02:41] Speaker A: I'm not finished, guys. One of the things that I appreciate most about Minister Glenisana Martin in education, to give an example, and you just sat on another educator guy in Mr. Sran, Vice President for University of the Bahamas. [01:02:59] Speaker C: He was on with Uncle Saran. Yes. [01:03:01] Speaker A: And I would have mentioned that I visited with China in recent times to do a business course down there. Right. One of the things that stood out to me that I wanted to get to, but you cut me off the one minute. [01:03:15] Speaker C: Yeah. [01:03:16] Speaker A: Because anybody can have a realistic conversation in any one minute. [01:03:19] Speaker C: Yeah. But I got callers on the line. [01:03:21] Speaker A: That's. That's something that I wanted to highlight. [01:03:25] Speaker C: Go ahead, go ahead. [01:03:26] Speaker A: Okay. They focus heavily on academic as well as technical training. As a matter of fact, in China, most of their graduates from high school or the greater portion of their graduates from high school, attend technical courses over academic courses. It's introducing, however, however, the percentage of graduates in China from high school is somewhere around 90 to 98% of their students who attend high school actually graduate from, from, from high school and go on to attend university. And only about 2% of those students who enroll in either technical school or university don't finish or don't complete for whatever reason. And even those students, they have safety nets to capture those students. And so I'm saying that to make this one point, yes, what is happening in education right now is great all around. It's great. We have the apprenticeship program, the national Training Agency btbi, and then we have the Polytechnic school that's coming on stream, right? And the Minister of Education is seeing the wisdom to revamp and revisit education as it stands in the country to bring up to par that technical education with that academic education so that we can be better equipped perhaps in 5, 10, 15, 20 years. We really start to see the benefits of the work that is going into education as we speak. It's not going to happen overnight. The problem doesn't develop overnight and the solutions won't occur overnight either. Thank you for the opportunity. [01:05:08] Speaker C: Yes, ma', am, thank you. Next call on the line, please. Go ahead, caller. [01:05:12] Speaker A: Yes, good afternoon, Guy. Good afternoon, Gabby. Good afternoon, Russell. Anton just is talking about solutions now, right? But the thing about it, I'm going to ask you a critical question to start off with, right? If institutions like the church, school and agencies of government are feeling us more than they have ever failed us before during the worst they've ever done, lowest public confidence, et cetera, right, Then are we honestly going to say our solutions are going to come from them, where the solution should come from? Because if it's not coming from them, you can't expect it to come from people like us, you understand? So if the agencies that are responsible for the solutions and for putting out better human beings, et cetera, are failing more than they have ever failed before, right, where then are the solutions going to come from? What I'm talking about going to take time to come, you see. But see, this is what I've, this is what I have discovered in this Bahamas, right, Is we lack integrity, you understand? We lack integrity and we have individuals who have a wrong concept or understanding of what society is. When Russell was talking about his daughter and he was talking about all the individuals who are involved in her life, right, Playing a part or playing a crucial part in doing whatever is to make sure, right, we live in a society, Russell, you know what I mean? We need to start to view the society as a daughter, as a son, as a human being, as a body, right? And we need to understand, all of us need to understand that we need to contribute to this society in a manner that betters it and fight against everything that goes against it. Russell, you understand where I come from and see this society is not gonna get better, right? By people coming on and just talking, talk. You understand where you're coming from. Because that, because with this thing, with this skill or whatever, I have accomplished what could bring some of the solutions that Russell has been talking about to bring hope to hopeless and employed people. Unemployable, right. What I've discovered is that a lot of individuals talk a lot, but they are not willing to do what is necessary to bring forward the change. And as long as individuals who are in influential positions, who have the means to help individuals who want, want to bring solutions, as long as they just remain trapped in their egotistical maniac world where they just want to come on and brag about the things that they have done, et cetera, and just make themselves feel good and talk about whatever, as long as they're willing to walk the walk, they talking, we ain't getting nowhere. But where are our solutions going to come from? When this has been the agencies responsible for those things are failing more than they have ever failed before. Where are our solutions going to come from? Because when you're lies that it ain't coming from them, then you're going to see that society itself is hopeless. Thank you very much. [01:07:51] Speaker C: I appreciate the call. So go ahead, Darvin. [01:07:54] Speaker B: So before I let Gabby jump in, I want to, I want to provide some counter opposition to what the gentleman just said because I don't want us to go down this narrative of hopelessness. I also don't want us to believe and assume that nothing good is going on in this country and that with the greatest of respect to what's going on at the Ministry of Education, it may be fairer to say the pace of change is not what you would like. But it is not fair to say that the institutions that we have governing us are not doing anything that's very counterproductive, right? So I just want us to stay away from those kinds of inflammatory language. And the final point that I would make is this, oftentimes in society, what is required to change the status quo or the institution has always come from outside of that institution. We didn't create faster horses, we created cars. You understand what I'm saying? The camera industry was analog it was replaced by a digital world. Kodak died. [01:09:18] Speaker D: But you also found resistance. Blockbuster. [01:09:21] Speaker B: Absolutely. [01:09:21] Speaker D: When Netflix came on screen, remember Blockbuster, There was a move to move Blockbuster in that direction. They resisted. [01:09:32] Speaker A: Mm. [01:09:32] Speaker B: And Netflix, so that, you know, actually was trying to sell itself to Blockbuster. [01:09:40] Speaker D: I know. [01:09:42] Speaker B: And Blockbuster turned them down because they didn't see the future in what Netflix was. [01:09:46] Speaker D: That's why I'm so happy you said that, so God can understand where I've been going. It is not a fight again amongst us. It is an incorporation of. Of the two merging that where we are, our past, our present merging with the future so that we don't find ourselves extinct. [01:10:09] Speaker C: I like it. Next caller on the line. Go ahead, caller. [01:10:12] Speaker A: Hello. Good afternoon. [01:10:14] Speaker B: Good afternoon, bro. [01:10:16] Speaker A: This person sound like Dr. Cooper. I always thought it's Dr. M. Y' all gotta be a brother. You sound like Dr. Marcus Cooper. M. Okay. [01:10:22] Speaker C: Exactly. [01:10:23] Speaker A: Exactly like him. You know Garth and Gabby, right? [01:10:26] Speaker C: Yes. [01:10:27] Speaker A: Help me, because I'm a dummy, right? And I know how intelligent people could use statistics, whether it be in the medical industry, using absolute and relative risk reduction. Right. Well, for the like. For me, for the few infuriating narratives that are coming out. Some behemoth, right. To infuriate the behemoth students from the Asian students who's doing better in school. So. But from sense, we have an increase in migrant from the south, specifically, you have noticed that the high school dropout rate has increased, right? But then it was more often more of them than us. Why is the onus on the students behemoth that you. You see, you get what I'm saying. There's an increase in population and there's an increase in migrants in the government schools. But then the graduation rate has increased. But you're telling me that it's none of them. And I live in inner city and I can see the delinquency. That's what I'm saying. So I. I don't like the infuriating narratives. So the young guest talked about status quo. The way to attack status quo is to educate just narratives is to educate yourself. Because take for instance, me, right? There was a conversation with Dennis and Ca this morning. Dennis was talking factually, right? We have educated people now. So once status quo narratives are allowed to thrive without questioning, I call it dictatorship, whether it be scientific or whatever. So a parallel society, right? Now listen to what I'm saying, I'm about to say, because I have a question for Lang also. See, the problem for me is we allow status quo narratives to continue even though they can Be incorrect. So when you hear from non pundits, the question then becomes the battle between the truth and lie. And so if a status quo person says a narrative, then it becomes gospel. And it doesn't have to be that, be that way. And so as it relates to the educational system, what is it? Why is it when the government do the census, they don't want to give us the real data when the data exists? I don't like the inferiority. We were living with Haitians peacefully for all these decades. You heard the narrative about the behemoth, the Asian guy or whatever, saying that he was not there, was being peer pressured into saying he was joining the Haitian gang voices still being neutral with behemoth, et cetera. We're hearing these narratives and these things in the background. The situation for Mango Garden is that all these different things, the police and everybody's hiding what's going on in the country, be it on national security, etc, etc. So we are all duping ourselves. And then what about a parallel economy? Because they don't really. They keep within themselves in all type of other ways. We don't see the dangers of it. Behemoths can't speak out in their own country. And you're infuriating in reality. And a narrative which is not good. It's not good. I'm 60, I'm not used to this type of hatred. And we are breeding a generation of hate that the punch has been warning us about for decades. So I mean tell the Minister of education and provide us with some data because it doesn't make sense to me, you know, 56 graduation rate. Come on, man. [01:13:19] Speaker B: No, no, not graduation rate. It's a, it's the high issuance of the high school diploma. Right, which is, which is equivalent to that if you're using it in that same context. But I, I think we have to bear in mind that I don't like sometimes that we as 52 mentioned that we talk in anecdotes so much and then anecdotes become facts. That's why I always bring statistics. And yes, statistics can be manipulated, but data is data. You can choose to interpret it, maybe in a different way. But I think it was Ronald Reagan who said facts are stubborn things. So go ahead, Gabi. [01:13:56] Speaker D: No, and just to the caller, there's a thing that we used to say, figure don't lie and lie can't figure. Right. But the psychology of numbers can be manipulated. Let's say something cost $0 before and it now costs a hundred dollars all of a Sudden there was a 200 or a thousand percent increase on that item to enrage people. So I think that's what the call is saying. When the facts are presented and the statistical data is presented, it's almost presented in a biased way to make us emotional, to invoke that emotion in us. But I want to get back to what Davin's point was today. I want to, I want us to, to get back to some of that in terms of the data in which we see these sexual assaults happening to our, to our children. And he also mentioned schools. You, you both mentioned schools. And why is it that they're not focused and all of it ties into, even in school, when you got to worry about, you got to pick up your tree brothers and sisters because most of the time you're coming from a single parent, it's a single parent home. The, the data shows us that, right? So mommy working two jobs, she, you got five other brothers and sisters going to different schools. You gotta walk from the high school, if you're in high school or junior high school down to the primary school to get the three and the preschool to get the next two before you go home. On top of that, we heard the Minister of Social service say in Parliament that we have mothers prostituting their daughters in order to make ends meet. So all of these issues are tying in now, but one of the issues that is a concern for me is then the age of consent. [01:16:02] Speaker C: That's a show in and of itself. [01:16:03] Speaker D: That's a show in and of itself. But we have 16 year olds being able to tell some, some being able to consent to some grown rusty person that you could pounce all over me, but cannot have access to the necessary preventative health measures, they cannot access condoms, any type of contraceptives, STD screenings or anything without an adult present. [01:16:32] Speaker C: Yeah, that's a, that's a big conversation, a huge conversation. You know what I'm interested in today? And I'm listening to, to Darvin Russell today. Folks, this is Guardian today, 96.9 FM. And the data that he has shown with us and Gabby, with all our youthful energy, I'm looking at our nation in terms of building our nation. And yes, Gabby, I would be the first to admit that my generation has dropped the ball. There are those of us who have tried to bridge the gap. I've worked with young people, taught them how to fish, taught them how to lay tiles, taught them how to do plumbing, taught them how to do agriculture, taught them how to do beekeeping, taught them how to do home repairs, taught them how to do automotive mechanics. I've done my share, but I still feel as if I can do more. And maybe the young people can find a better way for us, those of us who are willing, like Darwin Russell, to sit with you, have an understanding with you and create safe environments for you to where we can truly grow this nation in love. I see you on the line caller. Just we got to take this quick break and we'll be right back. But you'll be first on the queue. We'll be back. This is Guardian today 96.9 FM Bahamas. [01:17:52] Speaker D: Let's get together and belong. There is one question I'd really love to ask. [01:18:15] Speaker C: The waffle with cheese at Burger King Nassau has never tasted so good. It's made with 100% flame grilled beef that's juicier. Top with fresh ingredients as usual and even fluffier buns. Get a regular Whopper with Cheese combo for only $9 including fat. And enjoy a Whopper that's bigger, better and tastier. The only place to get your Whopper with Cheese combo is at Burger King Nassau, where it's grill time anytime. [01:18:49] Speaker D: Running low on summer funds? Squeeze every drop of fun out of your summer with a Fidelity personal loan. From backyard upgrades to family getaways, Fidelity is here to help. Call 356-7764 today. [01:19:04] Speaker C: Fidelity. [01:19:07] Speaker A: We'Re good for you. [01:19:15] Speaker D: It's time to upgrade the way you enjoy at home. Entertainment Alive Fiber is here. Enjoy all your favorite channels and streaming apps, all at lightning fast Internet speeds with affordable bundles. And it's only a click away. Visit www.AliveFiber.com to sign up now. Stay connected. Live your life. It's good to be alive. The Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation invites you to vote in the Caribbean Journal's Bahamas Travel and Sustainability Awards. From best beach to best boutique hotel, this is your chance to support the people and places that make the Bahamas unforgettable. Voting opens now through September 2, Caribbean Journal's official site and ballot link. Let's show the world why the Bahamas is more than a destination. It's a lifetime of islands you try to rest. For all your printing deeds, there ain't no one better. [01:20:21] Speaker A: No. For posters and banners, magazines and flyers. [01:20:26] Speaker D: For window decals, reading cards and newsletters. [01:20:29] Speaker A: No job to big and there's no job too small. You name it, we can print it. Just give us a call. Let printmasters bring your masterpiece. [01:20:40] Speaker D: To locate the Nassau Guardian Building, telephone 302-2361. When it comes to Hearts at Cleveland Clinic. You can't miss a beat. You seek the best care possible, work with the brightest minds. AM LEE Leave no stone unturned to get to the heart of the matter because understanding is always the first step to overcoming for every heart in the world. See how we're advancing the future of heart care at Cleveland Clinic today. [01:21:14] Speaker B: This is Guardian Radio, 96.9 FM. Fresh news, smart talk all day. [01:21:43] Speaker C: One love, one heart. Bahamas. We're gonna get this right and we're having a beautiful time here at Guardian Radio, 96.9 FM. This is your show, Guardian Today, where you can talk freely. We want to hear your opinions and it's just possible that your opinions may just be the facts. And so we're not going to hold you any longer. Call on the line. Go right on ahead. [01:22:07] Speaker A: Yes, hello to each of you in the studio in the wider Bahamas, Cialan. [01:22:10] Speaker C: Johnson, C. Alan Johnson from Grand Bahamas. The pleasure to have you, sir, give us your solid minute. [01:22:16] Speaker A: All right, so just let me like as Anton. Anton has a particular political party support and I have one that I support. [01:22:24] Speaker C: And I've tried to not bring it. [01:22:26] Speaker A: To be a political. I just want that clarity without going into any political type thing. I'm just saying because I'm part of a team that's doing a decorative analysis of the bohemian. [01:22:38] Speaker C: Go ahead. [01:22:40] Speaker A: Youth type environment. I guess we are looking across each of the decades going back to the 70s. And the reason I said it is because it's important that this here requires a governmental response as not just of who, what, which, when and where and even the whys you have to answer, but we have to also know how are we going to address this going forward. And I know my one minute is not sufficient time to talk about where this all began. Looking at the data that's available going all the way back to the 60s that's available for us from the 70s and the early modernization of the Bahamas and emerging risk factors for the Japan to the impact that tourism expansion had in the 80s or the health transition which we would really see the changes that occurred in the 90s and then now would we have the acceleration of the health risk that you people talk about the studio concerning external influence, when you say internal experience, you talk about a digital influence that came in to the country in regards of media, social media digitization and everything else. And then look at the context that is captured by the current report which one of your guests began to explain on. But what happens is this is a problem that requires us to look from a Data intensive type environment to come across to understanding all of these things in the past that goes to where we are and a gap analysis as to where we are and where we need to be. And yes, your guests may touch on a little bit of things, but nothing beats the strength of full data analysis. Begin to look at each of the points that may have impact on it. [01:24:27] Speaker C: Okay, so what I want you to do then for me, C. Allen, I should have your number, but make sure the producer has a number for Darvin. I'm almost certain he wants to see that data. And we have another show on this coming up in the future. We would want to include you on that show, even if it's for 10, 15 minutes, just to bring that data to the forefront so we can break that down and give it to the Damon people. [01:24:50] Speaker A: Let me just say that people use this. Guest said use this interchangeably. Data and reports are two different things. Data could be thousands of touch points, and the report is an analysis for which you choose. [01:25:05] Speaker C: We understand that to be so asking. [01:25:07] Speaker A: The question out of that, but I'm simply saying is that I like the way the conversation is going. [01:25:12] Speaker C: Thank you. [01:25:12] Speaker A: What I'm saying is that we have to be more deliberate and we want. [01:25:15] Speaker C: To get to that deliberation. [01:25:17] Speaker A: I'm ending. That's what I'm ending right now. You have to be more deliberate in understanding where we are, are, and be more deliberate, focused in exactly what has to be done to get us there, not just politically, but holistically as a country. [01:25:31] Speaker C: Yes. I appreciate you, man. You know, the two hours goes by so quickly, and we don't ever have enough time because we got to take time for news and commercials and everything else. But why I'm rushing you so much, Seattle. Not that what you're saying is not important, but once again, leave your number for Darwin with the producer so that he can go ahead and look over that. I'm almost certain he would love to follow that up. This is the type of things that he does. He likes that type of information. Got two texts here before I allow Darvin to close his program and allow Gabby to give her responses, and then I will invite you back to a program again. Good. Could you three. Could the three of y' all come on tomorrow and all the tomorrows Pretty, pretty please? Pretty, pretty please. I'm pretty. Is Gabby. I think I that pretty, but pretty, pretty please? [01:26:21] Speaker B: Almost just for you. Oh, the place is for you. [01:26:24] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:26:26] Speaker C: You all choose the pretty ones. Okay. Okay, I'll accept that. Please note that after 52 years. I think you're gonna like this text here. We are growing, but we don't have enough consistent engagement from stakeholders who can give their input to moving our school system ahead. Many political leaders take too long to make decisions recommended to them to move our system ahead. Now, I'm not going to leave this at the total fault of political leaders. I will say the system itself sometimes takes too long. And I love what they said about the whole stakeholder idea. And really, truly, now that I thought about that, I got goosebumps. As a community, are we really, truly interested in our own community schools? You know, we want to put our children in there and leave them there like a babysitting service. But if you took the opportunity to find a way to become a partner with your local school in terms of expansion, in terms of additional equipment, etc. Being a part of the school's athletic team, et cetera, man, our schools could be so much greater. I love this text. You know, Darvin, give your reflection. And Gabby. And you know, I got goosebumps. [01:27:45] Speaker B: No, I know the two hours has gone by quicker than we all even like, but we didn't even get to solutions today. But be that as it may, I just think that one of the things that I'm going to try to encourage parents to do this academic year is pay attention to your children. Honestly, just, just, just one hour a week. I'm not even asking for much. Have a sit down with your children at their bedside when y' all go to the beach, when you get a break from work. And I know some of you are working one and two jobs just to make ends meet, but there's probably no greater responsibility that God has entrusted us with than raising these younger ones. And so we have to give it the kind of focus, attention, and seriousness that it deserves. So spend an hour, ask them some pointed questions. Find out what's going on in school. Find out if they've made new friends. Find out if they've experienced depression this week. Find out if they like their teachers. Find out if they're being bullied. Find out if they are the bully. [01:28:56] Speaker C: That's big. [01:28:58] Speaker B: You know, you have to be intrusive in their lives. Don't let them close the door to the bedroom. Monitor what's going on on that iPad, that phone that you reluctantly gave them. Track those text messages, allow the phone to be locked. You have to do what you have to do in order to protect them. [01:29:23] Speaker C: Yes. [01:29:25] Speaker B: One day you walk with them. See what that environment is like. Like Gabby is saying, you Walk in and you talk about three canopies. See what is going on with your daughter. See if the boys are being influenced by the hooligans and in the neighborhood. See if it makes a difference when daddy walks with them. As a matter of fact, where is Daddy absent? I am reading. [01:29:50] Speaker C: You curl your lips. [01:29:52] Speaker B: The book that I'm reading now is called the Boy Crisis and it speaks to the impact of fatherless homes in the world. [01:30:01] Speaker C: There'll be another discussion. [01:30:02] Speaker B: It's another discussion. [01:30:04] Speaker C: We got two callers. Quickly, before Gabby gives a response, call out one. Go ahead. [01:30:08] Speaker A: Yeah, just make this quick. Sorry for calling back, but you know, I love Gabby, but I noticed Gabby was quick to say absence. Right. With father. [01:30:15] Speaker C: That's why I said. [01:30:18] Speaker A: Every day. And some fathers do, but some not enough. No, no, I, I moved on some of the next cabbage. I wanted to know if you guys really understand what I was saying as it relates to statistics that, that you. We already said it's 50% graduation, so 50 cent with reliever certificate or whatever. What I'm saying is when you juxtapose that with the increase in population from the migrants, then you can say that it is added on to the problem, but you're getting a narrative that they are doing better than people at school, which is infuriating. Bs. Give thanks. [01:30:48] Speaker C: All right, thanks. Next caller, go ahead, please. We lost the other caller. Gabby, go ahead. [01:30:55] Speaker D: Yeah, so the caller said I was, I was quick to say that they're, they're absent, but that's, that's one of the, the issues that we see in society today. We hear that our children are experiencing. You say that we need to submit to these male leadership and to the man is the head of the household. But more than 50% of our households are run by women due to absentee fathers. And then we see now our daughters being predicated. They're being haunted in the streets. Davin said maybe have the dad walk with them. The dad is nowhere to be found. In fact, often in cases and we see that the dad is somewhere else with some other young girl maybe, or young woman or just this is a gauged in something else. [01:31:51] Speaker C: This is a very, very, very complex conversation that we're going to have to have. [01:31:56] Speaker A: It is. [01:31:57] Speaker C: I want to really deal with this idea of an absentee father or a mother who was in the home and still absent. You see, absenteeism ain't just a male and female thing. [01:32:10] Speaker B: And I know Gabby didn't want to touch it, but why Daddy ain't there? [01:32:13] Speaker C: No, see, that's what I'm saying. It's a complex conversation we like to talk about. [01:32:16] Speaker A: He ain't. [01:32:17] Speaker C: Why ain't he call. [01:32:21] Speaker D: Them? It's a choice for him to be in or out. He doesn't have to be there to be there. It's a choice for him to be involved in his child's life, whether he lives in that home or not. [01:32:31] Speaker C: Okay, young people, getting your attention. I could like the teaching bang on the desk. Go ahead, call her. [01:32:37] Speaker A: Yeah, Good day. Go on. [01:32:39] Speaker B: Good day, my brother. [01:32:40] Speaker A: Yeah. When. When they say the father might not be there, she said he might be with and young. Something that people do. [01:32:46] Speaker C: That's why I want to talk about a different show. You come right here trying to add fuel to the fire. Thanks a lot, caller. [01:32:52] Speaker D: But no, there are a lot of economic issues and factors driving the. [01:32:57] Speaker C: We got to have of homes. We got to have a full. [01:33:01] Speaker D: Yes. Conversation on that to wrap up with Davin. [01:33:06] Speaker C: Thank you very much, though. [01:33:07] Speaker D: And his point, yes, in terms of he started off with the startling numbers of suicide, obesity. [01:33:14] Speaker C: Yes. [01:33:15] Speaker D: All of these things. The thing about it is this is the reality of what we live in now. And there used to be this saying that rang through that it takes a village. It takes a village to raise a child. So today I'm going to ask the listeners of the Bahamas, I'm going to ask you, Garth, and you, Davin, where is the village? And are you a part of the village raising bohemian children up today? Or are you casting them down saying that they are not enough, they are not ready, they will never be ready. But are you prepared to do what it takes to raise our children up? God, you, you've been saying also you were bad, you were this. But had someone not believed in you, had that not that teacher not say, you can do this. God, had that person not been in your life to say that I believe in you, everyone else might have cast you away. That teacher might have said, you could get an F because I don't like you. But today is an. I don't want to use that word. It's a fresh day. [01:34:27] Speaker C: We listen to Apostle Gabby Eneas. Go ahead, call her quickly. [01:34:32] Speaker A: Yes, sir. [01:34:32] Speaker C: Yes, sir. [01:34:33] Speaker A: Today, trust me, you really won the village. Raise your shirt. [01:34:38] Speaker D: I talk about that kind of village, man. [01:34:41] Speaker B: No, that's facts. [01:34:44] Speaker D: Staying inside. But the Internet is raising them now. This is why satellites raised you all. But the Internet raising this generation, it's a digital village. [01:34:53] Speaker C: I'm saying to you once again, this is a very complex culture conversation. It's extremely complex. There's so many narratives involved in this web that you're now weaving before me at the end of Guardian Today here on Guardian Radio, 96.9 FM. It's been a beautiful time. It's been a wonderful time. Welcome back. Darvin Russell, co host of remark every Sunday 5 to 6:30. And Gabby has joined the team. You know, you young people, we can't stop you all. You're all stronger than us. We would be a little bit wiser, but you all are much stronger than we are. So, Gabby, it's always a pleasure to have you. You ladies and men out there in the Bahamas. I gave you Darvin. I gave you Gabby. My God. I gave you Guan today. It was a wonderful day. One love, everybody. And until next time, this is Go Mayard Rose Barrow saying so long. It was a pleasure to have you. [01:35:42] Speaker B: Good afternoon. [01:35:43] Speaker A: CHILDREN crying Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all. [01:35:51] Speaker D: Right Sayin let's get together and feel all right Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Let la Malpas all their dirty remarks There is one question I'd really love to. [01:36:10] Speaker A: Ask. [01:36:12] Speaker D: Is there a place for them hopeless sinners.