By Choiselle Joseph
Popular local DJ and artiste Verseewild is urging young people to choose peace in a new social media challenge.
In a response to concerning rates of violence among the Barbadian youth, the trend encourages
social media users to record a video of themselves saying, “Versee, I accept the peace challenge,” and in their own words, speak out against high levels of violent crime in the country. Verseewild, real name Tyson Wilson, was inspired to start this challenge after witnessing the widespread effects of crime on Barbadians, including those impacted indirectly.
“Barbados really needs it right now because all of us are affected by the high level of violence or robberies in some way, even if not directly. Just hearing about it, it hurts emotionally to know that this country, this paradise, has gotten to a state of shooting, basically every day,” Verseewild told Weekend Nation
recently.
While the Peace Challenge so far has received a positive response, the artiste aims to achieve an even wider reach.
“So far, the response is great. A lot of people have sent me videos, but I still want more, I want as many as possible. I want more people on social media. Every day, you have to see something about this challenge. I want it to reach that level,” Verseewild explained. He also intends to expand the scope of the Peace Challenge to include school tours, peace walks, workshops and other programmes in collaboration with counsellors.
When asked about the goals of the challenge, Verseewild expressed a hope to reduce the levels of crime and violence across the Barbadian population.
“If it’s possible to make violence cease, of course, I would like that to happen. But if that is not possible, I would at least like to see a drop in the amount of crime happening in Barbados. I want to encourage thousands and thousands of young people to keep away from the violence and do positive things with their lives.”
He believes that social media is a powerful factor in shaping youth behaviour.
“A lot of the younger minds are easily influenced by what they see on social media. So, in these days, it appears that it’s cool to be a bad man or a bad gal. And you’re a nerd if you’re nice and decent, that is the way social media makes it look. Most people want to be popular, even just a little bit. So, a lot of youngsters think that’s the way for people to think they are cool. That’s the way to become popular, by being a bad man or a bad gal. And that is not true, because that leads to jail, or worse.”
However, with the Peace Challenge, he aims to use social media as a force for positivity and calls for a collective effort from all Barbadians.
“It’s not only about what I’m doing, it’s about what we can do together. So I want everybody to join me with the Peace Challenge. Let’s work together, share your ideas, make suggestions and we can make it happen.”
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