Gun new status symbol

These are visible denotations of one’s perceived social position, which depends on what is valued and rewarded in society.

At one time the book was a status symbol.

Many years ago I knew someone who occasionally ventured to Port-of-Spain, borrowed two large books from the library, and walked up and down Frederick Street to impress people.

Being studious was valued in those days.

Over time, status symbols included luxury cars, fair-skinned trophy companions, thick gold chains, and university degrees whether bought from a degree mill or honorary.

Nowadays we are witnessing a situation where, amazingly, the gun has become a status symbol.

It is really contradictory that this weapon which causes grief and lamentations on a daily basis now symbolises that the holder deserves respect.

I recently met a young man who wanted to leave a good government job to become a security guard, because “you getting a gun.” Of late we see photographs in the newspapers of young children posing with weapons supplied to them by national security personnel.

Are we condemning the gun as the messenger of death and misery and at the same time glorifying it? How absurd can we get? I will venture to state that to a large extent the value system of young people is shaped by parental codes, the preferences of the wider society and by the media.

I long for the day when academic achievement, intellectual rigour and artistic performance would return as status symbols in this country.

Then we may be able to extricate our society from this scourge of crime and violence.

DAVID SUBRAN via email