Jamaal Magloire reflects on his childhood, community, career, and culture through current events.

I haven’t spent much time in Toronto lately because the Raptors have been on the road, but it hurts my heart to come back to the city and hear about the recent murders, shootings, and violence.

Even though I may not know all of the victims personally, I am still affected. A lot of people are affected. The community is hurting. We don’t want to see another year marked in gun violence…or any kind of violence. Going into February, Black History Month, and the month of love, it is painful to know that there is so much destruction, and so little value placed on life.

I know that violence happens in every community and to every race of people…but it is particularly difficult to deal with when it is your community, and your people.

With every violent act, and every murder, it’s not only affecting the victim, but it affects an entire community. The morale, the hope, and the kids are affected.

These kids are watching what we do, and following by example. And even if you set a peaceful and spiritual tone in your own home, when your kids go off to school or outside to play, one way or another they are going to be influenced by what’s around them. It’s very difficult to control what they hear from friends, much like it’s hard to control what they learn from video games, music, or television.

We as a community have to continue to find other ways to solve our problems! Violence is such a simple way out. Such a temporary solution. One violent act is rarely the end to the problem…it is usually just the beginning of a bigger problem.

It is hard to live in fear. It’s hard to see people that can’t relax in their own homes, and have to be suspicious of their neighbours. It’s hard to see property value go down, and the local economy get damaged.

We have to start with the children. We have to be proactive, not reactive. We need to encourage the government to get involved where they can, too. We need the programs and resources to keep the children occupied, whether it be in sports, church activities, after-school programs, tutoring, or one-on-one mentoring at home. We need to speak to the children regularly, check in on them regularly, and make sure they are in good health both physically and mentally. We have to encourage greatness from them, boost their self-esteem, and teach them about their heritage and ancestors so they have value and self-worth.

I know it’s going to be different for my generation than it was for my parent’s generation. They were new to Canada and approached live with a different type of hunger and drive to settle in and make the best of the opportunities they were given in a new country.

We have to keep our Caribbean traditions, respect, and pride alive in today’s youth! Remind them where they came from, and how important it is that they keep our legacy strong and keep our community’s dignity. We have to do whatever it takes to make sure the violence doesn’t get worse over the years, but that we learn from it, and eliminate it.

Teach the children another way, from now. Teach them, and believe in them. We shouldn’t accept anything else. Enough is enough.

*Editor’s Note: In last week’s column, Canadian skier Sarah Burke was incorrectly referred to as Sarah Hughes (American figure skater).

I’d love to hear your feedback at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You are a part of my cultural community, and now also my professional community, and the reason why I contribute to this weekly column. This is my chance to communicate with you and hopefully continue to be an ambassador of the city of Toronto, the Caribbean culture, and a proud member of your Toronto Raptors.

Jamaal Magloire, a 12-year veteran of the National Basketball Association (NBA), is a Toronto native of Trinidadian heritage and the first Canadian to play for the Toronto Raptors. He is also a carnival bandleader for the Toronto Revellers. For more information and updates, please visit www.JamaalMagloire.com, or email your feedback to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .