“Everyone who I called my friends, persons who I used to hang out with, these were the individuals who formed and made up the gang known as the Rebellion Raiders. So when the gang was formed I was automatically a part of it, because it was formed by my friends. I didn’t have to go out and join the gang. Troit Lynes, former death row inmate of Her Majesty Prison in the Bahamas” CommunityFriendsHanging OutGang MembersRebellion RaidersWanting To BelongJoining A GangDeath Row InmatesMisguided YouthWanting To Be Apart Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Looking back, I have come to realize that the gang lifestyle back then—the fame, the respect, and the recognition—was stronger and powerful than any drug. We were serious with what we were dealing with. It was like a do or die situation. Shelton ‘Apples’ Burrows reform gang leader” FameRespectReflectionRecognitionLooking BackDrugsDrug AddictionThug LifeGang LifeViolence AddictionGang AddictionStreet FameGangbangingLessons Learn Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I never understood why, but the best of girls like gangsters. This was something that was always odd to me. Here, you have fine working girls who are involved with someone who isn’t working, just sitting on the blocks all day with a big gun in his waist. For some girls, they like that. I don’t know why. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” RespectSex AppealBad BoysStreet FameOut LawsGang AttractionGang Life StyleLadies And Gangsters Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Do you know the reason why fellas liked hanging around me? It is because I made them feel appreciated and respected. If you were a scary fella but you are good at stealing cars, then be good at that. This is where your respect is coming from. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members.” RespectAppreciationRebellionFriendshipsGangstersRebellion RaidersSense Of BelongingGang InterventionAt Risk YouthGang PreventionFeeling WantedSecond FamilyWanting To BelongFeeling AppreciatedGang RecruitmentStreet FamilySurrogate FamilyYouth GroupsFeeling SpecialGang LeaderReaching Young People Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I will always respect Mr. Charles chuck Mackey for the way he dealt with me. His approach was not hostile, rather his approach was one, “Look here, I’m working with you, so I need you to work with me.” He showed me first that he had my back, and it was easy for me to do the same for him. Mr. Mackey was well known in the entire school as a no-nonsense but fair person. There are some school administrators that aren’t intimidating at all, but with Mr. Mackey, it was totally different. When we saw him, even if we were not doing anything wrong and our uniform was intact, we still tend to avoid him by going in a different direction. His presence alone demanded that kind of respect.” InfluenceRespectCoachingSchool AdministratorsYouth LeadersAt Risk StudentsSchool UniformTrouble YouthResolving ConflictsSchool RulesReaching StudentsYouth Ministries Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Everything starts from home. If the father isn’t there, then the friends are going to step up to influence the young boy astray. This is where the problems come in, because in my community the majority of the children do not have any fathers in the home. I can only speak for my community. This is why with the young guys who do hang around me, I always do my best to encourage them. I have already lived the negative side on the streets, so I prefer to encourage them on the positive side - to encourage them to get a job, save their money and to do something for their families.Franco ‘Co’ Bethel, former gang leader and right hand man to Scrooge.” HomeEncouragementYouth ProgramsAt Risk Community Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Geno told them why I was there, and they all came down off the truck and looked me over — I guess just to make sure that they didn’t have any prior problems with me. Geno was standing on my right side. He said to me, “Now I’m going to start it.” He took two steps out in front of me, spun around quickly, and delivered a punch to my left jaw. My head jerked back from his blow. I remember thinking to myself, at least that wasn’t bad. However, before I could register another thought, the five Truck Boys were on me like white on rice. They threw blows and slaps on me. For the next minute or so, I stood there and took it all in like a good soldier. This was the price I was more than willing to pay to become a member of the Rebellions. After it was all over, they welcome me in with handshakes. Then they started asking me where I lived, and what school I had attended. Just like that I was now in the gang, these were my new best friends, individuals whom I would go all out for, and who would do the same for me.” SupportBrotherhoodBest FriendsInitiationThug LifeGang MembersStreet LifeRebellion RaidersSense Of BelongingGang InterventionGang LifePrice To PayFeeling WantedWanting To BelongJoining A GangGang InitiationBeaten UpGood Soldier Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Listening to their argument made me aware of how empty my life was, and I hated the life I was living all the more. It was quite obvious to me this lady was deeply in love, for she was fighting for what she thought to be hers. Even though I was dating two females at the time, and stringing a third one along, yet I’ve yet to discover that kind of love. I guess this was why my favorite song was ‘I wane be love’, by the Jamaican reggae super star Buru Banton.” LoveRelationshipsLonelinessArgumentTrue LoveEmptinessInfidelityFaithfulnessTrue FriendshipThug LifeSearching For LoveDeeply In LoveHunger Within Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The groups in different areas that were affiliated with us knew one thing for sure, and that is that they could trust and respect the base. When you look at it, people want to know they have someone in their corner for the worst. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” CommunityFamilySupportSecurityUnityLoyaltyAloneBrotherhoodTogethernessWordGangstersFamily MembersHelping HandHolding HandsReal TalkRebellion RaidersGangsFamily TogethernessFamily SupportStrength In NumbersGang LifeSupporting Each OtherMoral SupportFamily UnityHuman NeedCommunity Crime WatchPolice CommunityAffiliatedGang AffiliationHead QuartersMy SidePolice FamiliesSafe CommunitiesTrue Saying Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“How do you defend against a person who is ready to die? How do you defend against a person who don’t fear being sent to prison for life? How do you defend against a person who has nothing to lose? It’s like trying to defend against a suicide bomber, who has no problem going out in a glorified bang. Suicide bomber, assisted death, nothing-to-lose, not afraid, fearless, criminal mindset, thug life, mental disease, suicidal, mental challenges, death march, How do you defend against a person who is ready to die? How do you defend against a person who don’t fear being sent to prison for life? How do you defend against a person who has nothing to lose? It’s like trying to defend against a suicide bomber, who has no problem going out in a glorified bang.” FearlessNot AfraidSuicidalNothing To LoseThug LifeCriminal MindsetDeath MarchersSuicide BomberAssisted DeathMental ChallengesMental Disease Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“My thoughts were interrupted when I heard someone got slapped. By the sound alone, one could tell that it was a hard one. I figured whoever got slapped had to be close by, so I spun around in search of this person who had just gotten the daylights slapped out of them, only to discover that the person was me.” ThoughtsFightDisbeliefInterruptedInsultedSurprisedAssaultedSlappedIn ShockMistaking Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“As parents one of the biggest jobs we have, is teaching our children how to resolve problems effectively. We live in an era where everyone is quick to act the fool over simple issues. As we used to say when I was on the streets, ‘everybody wants to cut a movie’.” Letting GoParentingParentsParenthoodConflict ResolutionWalking AwayConflictsPeace MakerResolving ProblemsStreet ViolenceAct The FoolCut A MovieSimple IssuesYouth Violence Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“One of the things we haven’t taught our people as a nation, that this is their country. We haven’t told them that this Bahamas belongs to them. Whether it succeeds or fails it is entirely up to them. WE haven’t told our people that they are valuable. I sometimes pass little boys playing in the road and I would stop my car and say to them: ‘Excuse me baby, do you realize how valuable you are? Do not play in the road, if anything happen to you that is going to hurt us. Because you might be our Prime Minister one day. Iris Adderley, consultant in the Disability Affairs Devision of The Department of Social Services.” Self EsteemValuablePatriotismPrime MinisterNationBelongFeeling WantedLove Of CountryFeeling NeededThe BahamasMy CountrymenSense Of Pride Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“You have to respect a person for what he can do, and you can’t judge him to the fella who shoots ten people who feels nothing, goes to jail and come out and shoots ten more. You have to make people feel that whatever you are good at, we appreciate and respect you for that. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members Respecting people, coaching, gang recruitment, gang membership, gang leaders, street code, street life, gang involvement, team members, self-esteem, self-confidence, feeling respected, feeling wanted, feeling good feeling apart, Rebellions-Raiders, Rebellion Raiders You have to respect a person for what he can do, and you can’t judge him to the fella who shoots ten people who feels nothing, goes to jail and come out and shoots ten more. You have to make people feel that whatever you are good at, we appreciate and respect you for that. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” Self EsteemSelf ConfidenceCoachingStreet LifeRebellion RaidersFeeling WantedGang LeadersTeam MembersGang InvolvementGang RecruitmentStreet CodeRebellions RaidersFeeling Good Feeling ApartFeeling RespectedGang MembershipRespecting People Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“We really had a close netted structure to rely on for anything, you could have gone by anyone house and get something to eat. Whatever they were eating, they would’ve fed you, and all the mothers would’ve treated you just like they treated their own. What the gang also did, it provided some level of protection for a lot of the working adults in the neighborhood. They knew that their houses were safe, when they went out to work and didn’t have to worry about anyone breaking in to their homes. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” CommunityFamilyStructureUnityProtectionMothersExtended FamilyLike FamilyRebellion RaidersSingle MothersGangsGang InterventionCrime PreventionCommunity PolicingBanding TogetherStanding TogetherYouth ProgramBrother S KeeperSurrogate FamilyBlack CommunitiesCommunity Crime WatchSmall CommunityClose Knit CommunitySurrogate MothersTight Knit CommunityUrban Communities Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The cane is just not going to cut it. I shared with some of my colleagues that these brothers live in neighborhoods where they are getting whapped with a piece of stick all night, stabbed with knives, and pegged with screwdrivers that have been sharpened down, and they are leaking blood. When you come to a fella without even interviewing him, without sitting him down to find out why you did what you did, your only interest is caning him, because you are burned out and frustrated yourself. You say to him, ‘Bend over, you are getting six.’ And the boy grits his teeth, skin up his face, takes those six cuts, and he is gone. But have you really been effective? Caning him is no big deal, because he’s probably ducking bullets at night. He has a lot more things on his mind than that. On the other hand, we can further send our delinquent students into damnation by telling them they are no body and all we want to do is punish, punish, punish. Here at R.M. Bailey, we have been trying a lot of different things. But at the end of the day, nothing that we do is better than the voice itself. Nothing is better than talking to the child, listening, developing trust, developing a friendship. Feel free to come to me anytime if something is bothering you, because I was your age once before. Charles chuck Mackey, former vice principal and coach of the R. M. Bailey Pacers school.” ChildhoodCommunicationConversationIntelligencePunishmentParenthoodTeachersDown To EarthBurn OutGang MembersListening SkillsBuilding TrustYoung MenInterviewingCorporal PunishmentEducatorsStreet GangsDepartment Of EducationAt Risk StudentsCaningRough NeighborhoodsTrouble YouthGang CommunitiesMinistry Of EducationSchool PrincipalsDeveloping FriendshipsJuvenile CourtsOpen Door PolicyReaching Trouble YouthSchool OfficialsSchool PunishmentSchool StudentsSenior PastorsStudent GangsYouth InterventionYouth PastorsYouth ReformYouth Retreat Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“However, if he really wanted to bust me, all he had to do was ask to see my schoolbooks. The front and back covers are the first place graffiti artists start to draw.” GraffitiSchool TeachersBustedSmall BeginningsPolice WorkSolving CrimeCrime DetectionSchool BooksArresting A ProblemDrawing BooksGraffiti ArtistsGraffiti In SchoolsSolving MattersTurf WarWall MarkingsWriting On Walls Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The gangs filled a void in society, and the void was the absence of family life. The gang became a family. For some of those guys in the gang that was the only family they knew, because when their mothers had them they were too busy having children for other men. Some of them never knew their daddies. Their daddies never look back after they got their mothers pregnant, and those guys just grew up and they couldn’t relate to nobody. When they had their problems, who could they have talked to? Nobody would listen, so they gravitated together and form a gang. George Mackey, the former representative for the historic Fox Hill community in The Bahamas.” GovernmentFamilyEmptinessFatherhoodPoliticiansFamily LifeGangstersComing TogetherPolicy MakersGang MembersYouth MinistryHurting PeopleStreet LifeBroken HomesSingle MothersGangsSense Of BelongingGang InterventionAt Risk YouthYouth OutreachGang LifeEmpty NestFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersYouth ProgramsRepresentativeAt Risk CommunitiesGang PreventionSocial IllsVoid WithinDead Beat DadsYouth GroupsGang FamilyGang FormationHurting ChildrenMember Of ParliamentMissing In ActionYouth ClubYouth Problems Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Joining a gang is like sky diving without a parachute. Oh, at first it’s all fun, as you take on gravity in a thrilling and exhilarating free fall towards earth. The truth is, anything that is risky and dangerous always starts out as fun. But the odds are always stacked in gravity’s favor, for you will eventually come face to face with the earth, and mother earth always wins those battles. The same thing can be said about being in a gang.” FunDangerousConsequenceExcitementThrillingMother EarthExhilaratingYoungstersRisk TakingThug LifeGang MembersAgainst The OddsStreet LifeEarly DeathGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionParachuteCommunity PolicingYouth ProgramsEnd ResultAt Risk CommunitiesJoy RideFree FallJoining A GangRisky BehaviorsYouth ClubsGang InvolvementChurch Youth GroupSky Diving Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Drugs are also a part of school life in particular marijuana. Alcohol beverages, prostitution - not so much on campus - but that is a way of survival for some young women and young men. These are societal ills.” SocietyStudentsSurvivalAlcoholMarijuanaYoung WomenDrugsTeenagersProstitutionSchool LifeGeneration XYoung MenAt Risk YouthSocietal IllsGuidance CouncilorsSchool CampusTrouble Teens Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“A group of us were downtown on Bay Street. It was some twelve to fifteen of us with nothing to do. We had just been in a fight with some Kemp Road fellas. It really wasn’t anything to talk about, because we quickly ran them off Bay Street. Feeling pumped up about what we had just done and looking for more action, we started running in the middle of Bay Street, screaming and shouting ‘Rebellions!” and ‘Raiders for life!”, making a real nuisance of ourselves. About nine of us were arrested by the police and charged with public terror and disorderly behavior. So in fact, we were given our gang name by the police, and Milton Street became known as the Public Terrorist Rebellions. Galen ‘Ninja’ Nordelus former leader of the Public Terrorist Rebellions through Milton Street.” IdentityTerroristNonsenseBrandingLaw EnforcementNuisanceGang MembersStreet LifeRebellion RaidersSense Of BelongingAt Risk YouthCommunity PolicingStreet GangsWanting To BelongSeeking AttentionGang NamesPublic Terrorist Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The Rebellions were the first gang in The Bahamas, to come up with a popular logo/brand in the wearing of Raiders clothing. However, other neighborhoods gave birth to their own gangs using popular sporting team images as their official colors and name. You had the Hoyas Bull Dogs out of Kemp Road; the Coconut Grove area took on the name Nike, which became their clothing of choice. Miami Street took on the name Hurricanes, and wore Miami Hurricanes clothing. However, when you look at it closely, because of the lack of involved fathers, a lot of us were simply lacking an image and a positive identity of ourselves.” SportsIdentityInsecurityImageIdentity CrisisRebellion RaidersSingle MothersSense Of BelongingGang InterventionUniformAt Risk YouthGang LifeFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersAt Risk CommunitiesGang PreventionStreet GangsLook AlikeInvolved FathersCommon BondFeeling ApartGang ColorsPositive IdentitySports LogosUniform Branchs Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“When I was reaching out to those young men through Strachan’s Corner, nobody told me what to do, I was doing it from my heart. I did what I thought was best rather than giving those youngsters a police record, I tried to prevent it by letting them know if you commit crime you are going to get yourself in trouble. Then you will be confined to the Bahamas for the rest of your life, and will not see that great big world out there. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” Law EnforcementRebellion RaidersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionYouth OutreachCommunity PolicingFrom The HeartPolice OutreachPolice InterventionThe BahamasCaring Police OfficersPolice ProgramsCommitting CrimeCriminal RecordPolice Record Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I asked, “When the Rebellions were at its peak doing nonsense, everyone was trying to keep away from the area, yet you were going in, why were you going into that area? Supt. Strachan answered quite frankly, Because I was not afraid. I felt like they are my people, they are my color. I don’t know of anyone born after me that I should be afraid of, that was how I felt. I knew I could’ve walk through Strachan’s Corner, sit down and felt at home, and their parents also accepted me. I came to the conclusion; these kids just need someone to show them some attention. They just wanted to belong, that was what a lot of them were looking for. So I said to myself, if I could assist them I would, and that was what I did. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” AttentionYouthClubsNonsenseNot AfraidLaw EnforcementNot Giving UpHelping PeopleDoing GoodGang MembersRebellion RaidersSense Of BelongingGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionNo Child Left BehindShowing LoveTouching LivesCaring PersonCommunity PolicingYouth ProgramsAt Risk CommunitiesLove In ActionPolice OutreachFeeling WantedReaching Gang MembersLove Of CountryWanting To BelongGood CopsAt HomePolice InterventionCaring CopsFeeling At HomeMy KindMy PeoplePolice ProgramsPolice SuperintendentWoman PoliceMy ColorParents AcceptancePolice Relations Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The numbers really grew when we were at war, when all the fellas who used to be inside their homes watching TV saw that the action movies they were watching inside were actually happening outside, and so they came out of their homes to join the fun, because even though we were firing real guns, it was all a game for most of us. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” ExcitementThug LifeStreet LifeRebellion RaidersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthGang LifeYouth ProgramsViolence AddictionGang AddictionReaching Gang MembersRisky BehaviorsYouth ClubsA GameGang WarsAction Movies Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I didn’t have any father to reach out to me. The persons who tried to steer me in the right direction, were the persons on the street and I still went the wrong way. Franco ‘Co’ Bethel, former gang leader and right hand man to Scrooge.” Father FigureSingle MothersAt Risk YouthYouth OutreachFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersYouth ProgramsReaching Gang MembersRoll ModelsBronken HomesLack Of Guidance Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Looking back on it all, I believe when we were on the streets coming up, we were simply looking for somebody to look our way. Even though guys were getting killed, the gang continued to grow. I heard some older folks say one time, ‘As soon as two or three of them get killed, this gang will go to the dogs.’ Each time one of us got killed, it hurt, but, that made us stronger. Anthony ‘Ada’ Allen, one of the former leaders and founders of the Rebellion Raiders” AttentionStrongerThug LifeStreet LifeRebellion RaidersAt Risk YouthSenseless ViolenceYouth OutreachGang ViolenceReaching Gang MembersGang KillingsComing UpOlder FolksSenseless Killings Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“A person who takes a gun holds it to somebody’s head, and intimidates them for money or take their property from them. The person who gets into an argument and his only resort is to take a gun or some offensive weapon and eliminate the other person. I understand that many of these persons do not have reasoning skills. They do not have the basic conflict management skills, to resolve basic issues between themselves and others. So they resort to what they know best, which is violence. I’m talking about the animalistic instinct. Former Assistant Commissioner of Police with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Mr. Hulan Hanna.” Law EnforcementConflict ResolutionPolice OfficersAnimal BehaviorAt Risk YouthSenseless ViolenceReasoning SkillsCriminal BehaviorArm RobberyStreet CrimesAnti Social BehaviorJuvenile Delinquents Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“90% of us came from single-parent homes who were in the gang. There was just a small 10% who had a mother and a father in the home. For a lot of us, we did not had that father or authority figure who could have intervened on our behalf. Where we could have said, ‘You know, daddy, Johnny tried to rob me or Johnny just slapped me’, and our father could have either taken us to the police station, or went to school with us to address the issue. So we had to defend for ourselves. Shelton ‘Apples’ Burrows reform gang leader” Self DefenseFather FigureGang MembersRebellion RaidersSingle MothersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersAt Risk CommunitiesSingle ParentsAuthority FigurePolice Station Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The older guys in the neighborhood were our father figures. Even though they were doing foolishness we looked up to them, and they looked out for us. When we would be out playing and it was getting dark, they would tell us now don’t be out here too late, because you know that freaks does come out at night. Anthony ‘Ada’ Allen, one of the former leaders and founders of the Rebellion Raiders” Bad BoysGang MembersRebellion RaidersSingle MothersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersAt Risk CommunitiesSocial IllsGang LeadersFather FiguresRough NeighborhoodsLook Out Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The majority of us were from single parent family homes. You could have counted the fellas on your fingers that had a mummy and a daddy at home. Anthony ‘Ada’ Allen, one of the former leaders and founders of the Rebellion Raiders” Law EnforcementGangstersGang MembersRebellion RaidersSingle MothersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthYouth OutreachFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersYouth ProgramsAt Risk CommunitiesGang PreventionSocial IllsSingle ParentsDead Beat Dads Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I would hear them say on the radio, that we need to hang them once they have been convicted for murder. I don’t think that some of them should have ever reached that stage. If we had prevented them from going on death row, it would not be a discussion about hanging them. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Hanging, death-row-inmates, crime prevention, gang intervention, talk shows, youth outreach, youth programs, convicted murderers, community policing, law enforcement, gang prevention, community outreach, at-risk-youth, police officers, convicted-for-murder, Rebellion Raiders, I would hear them say on the radio, that we need to hang them once they have been convicted for murder. I don’t think that some of them should have ever reached that stage. If we had prevented them from going on death row, it would not be a discussion about hanging them. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” Law EnforcementTalk ShowsPolice OfficersRebellion RaidersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionHangingYouth OutreachCommunity OutreachCommunity PolicingYouth ProgramsGang PreventionAfter School ProgramsConvicted MurderersDeath Row InmatesConvicted For MurderTrouble Youth Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I would hear them say on the radio, that we need to hang them once they have been convicted for murder. I don’t think that some of them should have ever reached that stage. If we had prevented them from going on death row, it would not be a discussion about hanging them. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” Law EnforcementTalk ShowsPolice OfficersRebellion RaidersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionHangingYouth OutreachCommunity OutreachCommunity PolicingYouth ProgramsGang PreventionAfter School ProgramsConvicted MurderersDeath Row InmatesConvicted For Murder Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“One day I was through Strachan’s Corner just hanging out, and they must have picked up Scrooge earlier for a pep talk, so they were now dropping him back home in one of their police vehicle. Supt. Strachan was in the back seat talking with him, while a male officer was driving. So I asked her, what were some of the things you used to say to Scrooge? I used to tell him it is not worth it, You are hurting people. You are only going to end up in jail for the rest of your life, or you are going to end up in the grave. I knew that he was listening to me. I would talk to him and encourage him. My other colleagues used to say I was soft on crime because of what I was doing, but I could be tuff. I am a mother of two sons; just ask my sons how tuff I can be. If I feel that I have done the best that I can, and cannot do no more than that is it. This was what I was telling those kids down there. I told them if you do not change, you are going to die. Sad to say, that is what happened to some of them eventually. The best came out of you and others in another way. Supt. Allerdyce Strachan, the first female officer to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” ChangeEncouragementLaw EnforcementGangstersToughnessNot Worth ItGang MembersRebellion RaidersGang InterventionAt Risk YouthCrime PreventionCommunity PolicingPolice OutreachReaching Gang MembersTurn AroundGood CopsCaring CopsThe GraveWoman PoliceGoing To Die Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I was sitting down hanging with the fellas them just for the girls, because really and truly this was bugging me. How could these fellas have the finest girls in the community, and they don’t work, they don’t have any money. Anytime something has to be purchased they would say, ‘Man, Scrooge, throw the blow; buy this and buy that.’ So we were sitting on a car one day. They were out to a disco the night before and this fella got chopped or stabbed. I didn’t know anything about it until the fellas came around looking for KC the next day. These fellas just yuck out their guns and started busting shots, and everybody just break off running for their lives. Afterwards I mumbled to myself that these are some crazy fellas. They just came shooting for no reason. The funny thing about it is this: guns were not even that common on the streets then. We’re talking around 1987, 1988. I believe the fella who fired those shots at us, goes by the nickname Dog and he lives in the US now. I said to Ada, ‘What kind of thing this is? I mean, these fellas came and just started shooting.’ That sent a whole new way of thinking in my mind. Prior to that, I was just a person going to work, coming home, and chilling. I just happened to be sitting there one day. They didn’t know me and they didn’t care who I was. I never used to even be with KC and them. I just happened to be there that day. If I had known that those fellas were crazy like that, to come shooting at whoever they saw, I wouldn’t have been there hanging with KC and them. After that, my whole mindset changed. It was either shoot or be shot. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members.” MindsetShootingHanging OutDiscoRebellion RaidersGang LifeBystanderGang LeadersJoining A GangNight ClubsGang InitiationGang InvolvementFormation Of GangsFinest GirlsGang ShootingShoot Or Be ShotYoungster To Monster Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“In these story telling moments we equip our children, with crucial solution tools for life. To deprive them of these necessary teachable moments is like denying a carpenter the tools of his trade.” TrainingParentingStorytellingChild RearingSocial SkillsGood ParentingTeachable MomentsLife Skills QuotesShaping CharacterConflict ResolutionsEquipping ChildrenPowerful Stories Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I’m there for my son 24/7, because I don’t want him to take the road we took. I believe if I had a father around, I would’ve learned plenty things. There was no father there to tell me look here son, this is the wrong way to go. When we were coming up, we learned through trial and error. Anthony ‘Ada’ Allen, one of the former leaders and founders of the Rebellion Raiders street gang.” FatherhoodWrong WayFathersTrial And ErrorWrong PathFather FigureRebellion RaidersFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersInvolved FathersA True ManGood Fathers Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I knew a lot of fellas who live in Lizzy and never got involved in some of the stuff that we were getting into. This was because they had a strong father figure at home, so they couldn’t have gotten involved. The few of those who did end up in the gang even though their father was in the home, their father was just there as a provider, but he was not directly involved in their lives. Shelton ‘Apples’ Burrows reform gang leader” FatherhoodDaddyFathersFather FigureGang MembersRebellion RaidersFatherless HomesGang PreventionInvolved FathersHome But Absent Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Life is so fragile and unpredictable, especially when you are in a gang or in a life of crime. It’s like playing poker; you think to yourself that you have a good hand. However, it is only when you reveal your hand do you sometimes discover to your horror that someone else’s hand is better.” HorrorPrisonCriminalsFragileUnpredictableConsequencesThug LifePokerGang MembersStreet LifeCourt Of LawPrison SentencePoker PlayersA Life Of CrimePrison InmatesStreet Killings Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The fact is, all gangsters live in dog years. We come up fast in terms of making a name for ourselves, but, once our names have been established on the streets, we are on our way out.” DeathGangstersViolence In SocietyLife SpanGang MembersGangsDog Years Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“When I went to prison and came out, it was like another stripe being added to my shoulder—another notch of respect on my belt. On the streets, you cannot get a name until you do something. You have to prove who you are by doing something outrageous, like shooting someone from a rival gang. It allowed others to see what type of person you were, and established the fact that you were ready for anything. Back in the day, what we were looking for was for someone to have our backs. So every time I did something and was recognized for what I did, it gave me more nerves to continue. After the deed was all said and done, and we were hanging on the blocks, everyone is praising you and talking about what you did. You all should have been there. You should have seen how Taco rushed up on that fella and dealt with him. Those praises were like drugs that eventually poison the mind, and gave you more inspiration to do things to have more people talking about you. People recognizing you as one who isn’t scared, one who is ready to do whatever is needed. No one ever wants to go to prison. I never wanted to go to prison. I just wanted to be recognized as one willing and ready for a battle anytime. Troit Lynes, former death row inmate of Her Majesty Prison in the Bahamas” PrisonRecognitionAnother WorldGangstersDrug AddictionBad BoysStreet LifeRebellion RaidersSense Of BelongingPraisesGang InterventionGang LifeStreet FameDie Hard GangstersGang PrideStreet FamilyHard Core GangstersRight Of PassageStreet Recognition Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I could understand why some fella’s take drugs just before their crimes: because they need something to help them quiet their minds. However, I don’t do drugs nor do I drink alcohol, but the thing that gets me high like a kite is a crime well done. Then there’s the scent of freshly fired gunpowder, or the sounds of the empty bullet casings hitting the ground as they are ejected each time I pull the trigger. These two things never fail to get me high; the truth is I’m seriously addicted to violence.” AddictionGangstersThug LifeStreet LifeSenseless ViolenceGang LifeViolence AddictionArm RobberyGangbangingHarden CriminalsBullet CasingsDrive ByHardcore GangstersHigh Like A Kite Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“When I first went to prison, I made the best out of it. From the streets, I was hearing reports of Rebellions going to prison and getting do in [beat up]. Our fellas had no say, couldn’t even open up their mouths. When I went up there for the first time, I turned that prison into a place that everyone could say that the Rebellions were running it after that. I wouldn’t say I did it alone, but I help set the groundwork to give the Rebellions a say in prison. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” InfluencePrisonJailGangstersRebellion RaidersGang LifeGang LeadersStreet Fame Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“My volcano of compress anger was about to erupt in school, and it would take more than five years for my molten lava to be brought under control, which was through the loss of my sight. However, shouldn’t there be a way of detecting and reaching out to kids like me before there is a massive problem? Why wait until there is a devastating eruption before we intervene?” AngerBlindnessInterventionEruptionVolcanoDevastatingDetectingAt Risk StudentsSchool FightsCompress AngerMassive ProblemsMolten Lava Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“I came from as low as one could come, with no mother and no father. So in return I build a family for myself and these fella’s were a part of my family. So I had to look out for them, as if I was looking out for my children. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” FamilyMy FamilyMy ChildrenParenthoodFamily MembersGang MembersRebellion RaidersSingle MothersYouth OutreachGang LifeFatherless HomesAbsentee FathersSocial IllsLove OnesBroken Families Family LifeGang FormationNo FatherNo Mother Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“The good part about these areas that we were taking over, was that all of them had parks where a lot of guys were just hanging out playing basketball. So I used those parks to make a good first impression with my gun, then I followed up with a speech presentation. At the end of the day, we were able to win over the entire park, and eventually their community….. It was as if these fellas from different areas were just waiting for this, because no one else was going around to them. No one else was telling them that they were needed, only us. Scrooge, former leader of the Rebellion Raiders street gang that once boasted of having some ten thousand members” IncreaseHanging OutFirst ImpressionYouth MinistryBasketball CourtRebellion RaidersGang InterventionCrime PreventionYouth OutreachCommunity PolicingPolice OutreachFeeling WantedYouth ClubsFeeling NeededGang RecruitmentPlay GroundReaching Young PeopleYouth InvolvementCommunity ParksHand GunMassive GrowthReaching The YouthSpeech PresentationTaking Over The WorldYouth Crusade Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“It is our job as parents, to instill principles and values in our children. So that when they depart from you, those principles and values won’t depart from them. Mallory Bullard, a street soldier from the old school.” ValuesPrinciplesTeachingEncouragementOur ChildrenMotherhoodFatherhoodQuality TimeBuilding CharacterParents AdviceGood ParentsLeading By ExampleCaring Parents Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“One who has a deaden conscience can never live within the confinements of the law.” ViolenceCriminalsCold HeartedLaw BreakersLaw AbidingGood Citizens Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“A lot of those young men were just looking for love, and they got that love from Scrooge. They were not perhaps able to get it from home or from no one in the community. So instead of holding on to Scrooge, they could hold on to me. That was the way I looked at it. If Scrooge could get a young boy to follow him, I should have been able to get one to follow me as well: so why can’t I as a police officer do the same? Allerdyce Strachan, the first female to rise to the rank of superintendent on the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” Law EnforcementFollow MePolice OfficersLooking For LoveGang MembersReaching OutSense Of BelongingGang InterventionCrime PreventionAt Risk CommunitiesSocial IllsPolice OutreachReaching PeopleReaching Gang MembersFeeling LovedYouth GroupsGang FamilyRebellions RaidersYouth InvolvementAt Risk FamiliesGang OutreachGetting InvolveLooking For AcceptanceSocial Outreach Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father
“Parents need to see that every situation that their kids find themselves in is a teaching situation, and they need to take the time to explore cost and effect. So talking to your children, explaining things to children as to why things happen in the world. Getting them to see cost and relationships between events is the best way to increase comprehension skills. Daynette Gardiner, the best School Psychologist in The Bahamas.” TimeParenthoodTeachable MomentsLearning OpportunitiesComprehension SkillsCost And EffectsCost And RelationshipsTeaching Situation Book:The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father Source: The Fight of My Life is Wrapped Up in My Father