The green shoots of recovery are here. No, we are not talking about the economy — well done to the government of the day, by the way, for its part in reversing the downturn — but the lifeblood of this country: our people.

Saving lives and turning around those who have only venom in their hearts, borne out of a sense of helplessness, frustration and lack of direction, is as much of critical importance to Bermuda as the need to get out of the financial black hole that has the government purse in a vice grip.

There have been many starts in the wake of the isolated murders of our young men, the upsurge of which dominated the late Noughties and has continued intermittently since which, but they have been followed by as many stops.

A lack of commitment to see the job through has been highlighted not so much by the inaction of our community leaders but by the indifference of those who are most affected. Taking back our streets and taking back our communities must be an everyday event. This the police cannot do on their own — and most definitely it is not within the scope of the Government; this or any other.

This takes selflessness and it takes courage of purpose to stand up in the face of evil. It takes the people.

“Evil” may be a strong word. Maybe. But there is none other that can adequately, and with the appropriate emphasis, describe the storm clouds that settle over too many of our young men when they are in each other’s company — their own worst enemies, if you will.

Apart from being criminal, the scenes along Court Street in recent times, now the subject of a criminal court case, were utterly embarrassing — for the community, for black people, for the country.

The murders notwithstanding, that was us at our worst.

That is why, on the heels of the uplifting panel discussion at CedarBridge Academy a few weeks ago, the Bailey’s Bay community coming together to be a vehicle for change is so inspiring. No one professes to be an expert but the caring and sharing at Sea Breeze Oval were self-evident — despite a low turnout for a community that can pack the grounds for county cup — and it should not stop there.

Every community and every sports club, in particular the workingmen’s clubs, has a story to tell and has reason to determine that they can be a force for good — beyond being enslaved by the desperate thirst of bar takings.

In continuing the recent theme, Desmond Crockwell, himself a former cricketer at Bailey’s Bay, is the brains behind an anti-violence magazine called Visionz.

The magazine, whose pre-launch party is at Bermuda Public Services Union tomorrow evening, is planned to promote anti-violence through interviews with family members who have lost loved ones through gun violence, community workers who have solution-based ideas, experiences and opinions, and the very young people, who have “the key to their own lock”.

Crockwell says he wishes to build an anti-violence network in Bermuda through love, unity and courage. That word again. Courage.

We wish him luck and God’s speed.