DILEMMA! Raising Caribbean Children In North America

By Lincoln Depradine
Pride Contributing Writer

Brutal and violent incidents are not uncommon in the United States. But some do draw particular attention, such as one last week at a McDonald’s restaurant in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, New York.

A mob of teen girls engaged in a savage beating of a 15-year-old; all are believed to be students of the same Brooklyn school, Erasmus High. The attack was caught on video.

One of the attackers, Aniah Ferguson, was quickly arrested by police. Ferguson, 16, was seen on the videotape throwing haymakers at the outnumbered victim and then stomping on her head after the teen went limp. In addition to pounding on the victim, Ferguson stole her purse and cell phone, New York police said.

Ferguson has been charged with gang assault and robbery. She has a troubled past and a long rap sheet that includes arrests for stabbing her brother and beating up her grandmother, who took out an order of protection against her.

Ferguson has been arrested six times since she turned 16 last July. Neighbours say she has a one-year-old daughter and severe behavioural problems.

The attack on the victim, Ariana Taylor, took place in front of dozens of adult onlookers but no one tried to break up the fight.

“What struck me here is that nobody did anything. Nobody stepped in,” said New York Councilman, Jumaane Williams, who was born in the US of Grenadian parents. Williams is deputy leader of the New York City Council.

A police source said Taylor appeared as if she had been beaten up by a professional boxer.

“Her face looked like a punching bag,” the source said. “Her nose was broken and she didn’t even know it.”

“The young ladies should be prosecuted and I believe the video evidence may be sufficient for that,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “It’s horrendous that a young girl would be attacked in such a fashion.”

The incident at the New York McDonald’s has been a hot topic of discussion on social media.

One of the contributors to the discussion is Grace Lewis, a Brooklyn schoolteacher. He says there is a broader content to what transpired among the teenagers.

Lewis writes:

“This is more sad than outrageous. Unfortunately, this incident is a regular occurrence for students in New York City public schools. It distracts them from learning because they focus on this instead of their studies.

“As a teacher if I get wind of it I report it to security but you can’t catch every fight. They take it off school property and I have seen some of these brawlers fighting with police when the cops try to break it up. The solutions evade us.

“Most of these kids have parents and teachers who are trying very hard to get them an education but they get caught up in the hype. Some of them need therapy to diffuse their anger; others need more adult supervision; still others need to feel valued. Many feel worthless so they act worthless.

“Even sadder to me is that many of these kids are Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Erasmus is largely comprises children of Caribbean ancestry. Are we leaving the Caribbean for a better life to end up with children who are street brawlers with long criminal records or in jail?

“It’s better if we stay at home (in the Caribbean) and give our children a better chance. Some of us work so hard to make material gains that we pay little attention to our children and their school work. There needs to be a forum to discuss solutions. But who would come? We’re too busy working.”