ASHLEY WALTERS: STOP THE VIOLENCE
As many of you will know, I grew up in Peckham. When you are growing up your local community is your first view of the world. I still love the place I came from. My Peckham is no different from any other urban community; there are good bits and bad bits. So why is this area of South East London associated with violent youth crime? Because it is also the home of young people who are prepared to take lives. The attitude of these young people are the same as the young people I was confronted with as a teenager and it is scary that 13 years later not enough has changed
There are young people in our communities who, for whatever reason, the attractions to become a gang member are more compelling than the possibilities of their own futures and the future of anyone who come in contact of them. These gangs are a reflection of the state our communities and we have to face up to it. We have young people who are members of families in our communities, who are either so afraid, angry or disengaged that they will take lives and either don’t care about or don’t understand the consequences of their actions.
My life in Peckham was affected by young people like this. As a teenager I was tempted by the false safety of being in a gang and I was subject to bullying and violence from gangs. I could easily have been caught up in that culture and lifestyle. And for a short time in my life I was.
As a young man of 19 – confused and so afraid for my own and my son’s safety – I purchased a gun. A stupid decision. The decision to carry or use a deadly weapon solves nothing; the decision to use that weapon removes any opportunity to have a choice. I was fortunate; I was given another opportunity to make a different choice. My choice was to take control of my own destiny and re-focus my attention on what is possible and positive in life. So far my journey over the last seven years has been bumpy, some false starts, some successes and at times soul destroying, but I keep on trying because it’s my dream and I am the only person who can achieve them.
The important thing is because I am alive I can dream, I have that choice. When young lives are lost as a victim or perpetrator involved in gun and knife crime dreams and possibilities are lost too.
I believe young people are entitled to dream and realise their potential. I believe that everyone in our community has a responsibility to create an environment where young people can dream.
I don’t believe we should abdicate our responsibilities as members of our communities to celebrity role models. I have 3 children and to them I am just “dad” as they look to me for care, safety and encouragement. I am very proud of them, why would I want them to substitute me for a gang or be a victim of a gang? I want to be their positive role model; I want them to see me in a positive way, proud of my achievements and confident in their own ability to do the same regardless of their environment. If all I can contribute is to encourage one young person at this point in their life to make a similar choice as I did at 19, then it will be worth it, because it may be one dream saved. Who knows, that young person’s dream may change the world.
I don’t want my children to live in fear. I want them to have the same opportunities I had as a young person and to achieve in whatever talents they have through their own efforts and ambition.
I take this opportunity today to say to young people. Put the guns and knives down, stop the violence, break the cycle, and reclaim your community and your dreams.
