"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

The growth of our society sometimes seems stifled not so much by the absence of good men and women, but by their deafening silence in the face of outrageous statements by those who should know better and could do better. This past week, there were two instances where we observed public statements that could best be described as despicable, barbaric, xenophobic and misogynistic. Accordingly, because of the urgent importance of addressing this week's subject, we will defer the next installment on 'Plural political parties' to next week. This week, we would like to Consider this... have enough "good men" spoken up to condemn these barbaric, xenophobic and misogynistic utterances by some of the leading lights of our society?

Intractable challenges
Today, our society is plagued with seemingly intractable challenges. These include the accelerated level of crime and the fear of crime that has paralyzed the nation, our inability to find peaceful resolutions for interpersonal conflicts and escalating parental neglect. Also confronting us is the unacceptably elevated abuse of our young citizens, many of whom seem hopelessly disconnected from the mainstream of the best that our country has to offer; and the all too frequent, but unspoken, instances of spousal abuse. These are but a few of the negative aspects our society must deal with every day.

Flogging illegal immigrants
One of the most unfortunate and unseemly utterances this week emanated from a senior attorney who suggested that while flogging people might appear to be brutal, it would effectively serve as both a physical and psychological barrier to people continuously seeking to enter the country illegally. He asserted that if illegal immigrants - particularly Haitians - believe "we tortured and killed them, they might not come" to The Bahamas. This noted Queen's Counsel suggested that this vicious corporal punishment should be used as a deterrent to both young and adult persons to dissuade them from entering The Bahamas illegally.

While it is true that the vast majority of illegal immigrants come from our sister Caribbean state of Haiti, there is absolutely no sound basis to suggest that the solution to this persistent problem is flogging persons who have escaped their homeland in search of greater opportunity for a better life for themselves and their families.

The optics of black people whipping and flogging other people of color because of the unfortunate circumstances that have resulted in them seeking sanctuary here is an abomination. It is an act that is more hideous than the behavior of our former slave masters and should be recognized for what it is. When the cat-o-nine tails has been outlawed by virtually every civilized society and public executions, beheadings and other physically torturous forms of punishment are inflicted only in barbaric and unenlightened countries like Iran, Iraq and North Korea, we should vilify such practices, not welcome them.

Many civilized societies are still ashamed of the evils that were inflicted upon their people, some not very long ago. Reparations were paid to the Jews who were persecuted by Germany. Certain measures were put in place to mitigate the horrendous inhumane, state-sanctioned treatment of Native Americans. However pervasive and seemingly unending the illegal immigration problem might be, nothing could ever justify inflicting such brutal behavior upon those who seek sanctuary here.

While Haiti has long experienced abject poverty and economic depravity, brought on in large measure by despicable despots, we should never forget that Haiti once led the way by establishing the first free black republic in the world, inspiring many nations in Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere in the march to freedom and liberty from their colonial masters. In fact, following that great liberation, Bahamian slaves used to escape to Haiti where they knew they could be free. Similarly, very many of the 'sons of the Haitian soil' have contributed greatly to our national development, including Bahamians with surnames like Dillet, Poitier, Foulkes and Smith. It is worth mentioning that one of these Haitian migrants, Stephen Dillet, was the first man of color ever elected to the Bahamian House of Assembly.

We should also recall the hypocritical behavior of some of our citizens who, several years ago, vociferously protested the immigration authorities arresting a white, foreign bank executive because they believed that he was an illegal immigrant. But it quite acceptable to beat less fortunate, less connected persons, who also, by the way, happen to be black.

Verbal assault on our women
Another revolting and repugnant remark was made by a member of parliament who indulged in insulting comments about the women who are working tirelessly with other challenged persons, mostly women, in The Bahamas Crisis Centre. The Crisis Centre has been recognized nationally and internationally for the outstanding work that it has done with assisting persons in crisis. The senior politician asserted that the Crisis Centre staff are "a bunch of phonies, fakes and frauds" due to their perceived lack of interest in the murder of a schoolteacher from Queen's College Primary School. We whole-heartedly agree with the Crisis Centre's deputy director who described this attack as "offensive, malicious and defamatory."

Condemning this conduct
Our society must take an unequivocally strong stance against such statements. If we permit those unacceptable utterances to stand, it begs the question of how many in our society really believe that what those persons have said is right or justifiable and may actually support their offensive opinions. Where is the voice of the church in these matters?  There has been absolutely no condemnation of these scandalous statements by the church. Not one single "pastoral shepherd" has denounced these deplorable declarations.

Too few in our society have taken umbrage at these utterances. Is it because the society believes flogging male and female adult illegal immigrants and caning those under 18 is perfectly acceptable?  Is it because the society believes that these hardworking individuals really do not labour long hours helping those in crisis? If the entire society does not condemn this attitude and behavior, loudly and overwhelmingly, and instead remains silent, it confirms a shameful acceptance of such utterances and such behavior.

Conclusion
These recent events and the scant public response to them remind us of the sentiments that have been attributed to Marin Niemoller, a German pastor and anti-Communist who initially supported Hitler's rise to power. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state, Niemoller became disillusioned and led a group of German clergymen in opposition to Hitler. He was arrested and eventually confined in several concentration camps. His poem is frequently quoted for describing the dangers of societal apathy and is summarized as follows:

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Are we to be a nation of people who do not speak up when we see a wrong done? And will we, through our silence, allow evil to triumph? If so, one day, if we ignore the evil that men do and say, we will no longer have anyone to come to our defense when it happens to us.

o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.

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