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INNOCENCE LOST – THE LOST BOYS By Patrick Bean Theirs is a story of innocence – innocence lost! Having surrendered to the lure of quick money, thus embarking on early careers in slinging dope, bangin’, thuggin’, jacking – in short manufacturing themselves as menaces to society – seven teenage boys now find themselves paying the cost via incarceration at the Co-ed Facility. Sentences range from nine months to three years, with each having violated probationary terms received after being found guilty of offences ranging from breaking and entering, stealing, robbery to assault. In line with the attitude of invincibility espoused by many of Bermuda’s youth, to a man this group wear past transgressions as badges of honour rather than worrisome reminders of what can happen when one fails to toe the societal line. Providing an example of such belligerence was 16-year old Willie who, when asked if his method of avoiding the trap of recidivism would be to reinvent himself as a more elusive criminal or retire from the crime game, swiftly answered: “Both!” Even more blunt in his assessment of the future was Fingas. “I could change my company and ways, something like that, but I won’t … I’m a thug and look to continue to be one,” said the 17-year-old, his eyes offering a sinister glow. “I don’t know why, I just like fighting sometimes, you know. I’m a good person, but a bad-bwoy.” There has long been talk among community and political activists about the disenfranchisement of the black male, punctuated by the now famous, “Young black males are a problem”, quote by then Premier John Swan. And these seven would seem to epitomise such a statement based on criminal history. However, while depicting local society as one carrying a deck stacked squarely against them, each expressed hope for better returns. Most are currently undertaking educational courses geared toward attaining high school diplomas or GED and see themselves moving on to vocational courses in areas such as plumbing, electrical, carpentry, architecture and – yes – law. “Society is definitely against us,” said Willie Goodman. “There’s war everywhere we go. Basically they want us to fail. “But there’s still hope, we’re really good people who got caught up in bad situations.” Chimed G-Money (16): “Society is doing nothing at all, and they need to do something, because there’s nothing to do in Bermuda except smoke, drink and carve.” Indeed, rather than peer pressure - which all denied as having a role in the venturing onto the wrong side of the track – it is perhaps the inherent perception that theirs is a losing hand, and this along with the blatant modern day promotion of the ‘bling’ lifestyle among electronic and print mediums, crime presents and means toward attainment. “I was not influenced by anybody, I just did it by myself because I needed money,” said Mobsta, a 15-year-old, serving time for breaking and entering, stealing and assault. Then there is the seemingly ever present scourge, that of substance abuse as a catalyst to commit misdeeds. To quote 17-year-old Larry Boy: “Drugs got me here. I was using drugs, but it was really selling drugs that influenced me to break and enter. “I was a wild man when I came here, but I’ve changed, I’m not the same guy that came in here … yes, there’s definitely hope for me.” Nevertheless, for all the thug life bluster, time spent with the group revealed a soft core beneath the contrived, hard core veneer, that of little boys merely wanting to come out to play without inhibitions – real or imagined. Many are sportsmen, just like any other local youth enjoying games of football, cricket, fishing and especially … girls. But they don’t feel like they are a part of, don’t believe they have a voice and until then trouble is forecast. And it was the youngest of the crew, Caleb, that expressed the collective’s greatest desire. “Just listen to me when I talk.” Nuff said.
THE LOST BOYS
‘J-Hood’ Age: 18 Hobbies: Football, Basketball Crime: Breach of probation (B&E) Career goal: To be an architect
‘Willie’ Age: 16 Hobbies:Fishing, Making Money Crime: Breach of probation (Robbery and assault) Career goals: To be an entrepreneur (carpentry and landscaping)
‘Mobsta’ Age: 15 Hobbies: Basketball, cricket Crime: B&E, stealing, assault Career goal: None at the moment
‘Caleb’ Age:15 Hobbies: Table Tennis, cricket Crimes: B&E Career goal: To be a plumber
‘G-money’ Age: 16 Hobbies: Girls! Girls! Girls! Crime: Assault with an illegal weapon (knife) Career goals: To be a chef
‘Fingas’ Age: 17 Hobbies: None (used to scramble); hanging out with boys Crime: Unjustly incarcerated Career goal: Nothing at all at the moment
‘Larry Boy’ Age: 17 Hobbies: Girl watching, Music Crime: B&E Career goal: Nothing specific, I’m
open minded
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