Reading through the news tonight, I am concerned that people are facing the courts for serious offences without legal counsel. I know our society is sick and tired of hearing about child rape or murder or attempted murder but our system ought to stand on principles of justice. It may feel satisfying to send an unrepresented man to jail for the maximum sentence, but have the thought occurred… what if that man is innocent? Are we trampling on the principle of justice that says “a hundred men may walk free as long as one innocent man never goes to jail’? Who is there to guide that defendant (still innocent until proven otherwise) through the legal system and advise him properly of his rights? What if one day I must stand without counsel; or my sibling; or a significant other? I imagine standing alone in front of a judge and jury (maybe no jury) and no knowledge of the system and no help to guide me through or help me fight and prove my innocence. Are we serving justice to the nation of Belize or are we once again preying on the vulnerable and weak? Eleanor Roosevelt once said that justice cannot be for one side alone, but for both, and Martin Luther King believed that a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I will never feel safe knowing the right person went to jail if that person was never given a proper defense. I want the real criminals to go to jail and spend the maximum sentence, not just the ones we can bully through our system. We need to stop cheating the justice system to win fights because as we railroad the poor through our justice system, we prove that we are a system failing horrendously. On the flip side, when the rich are suspected of egregious behavior, the system shows it failings by administering preferential justice. in matters of money, bar members step up to provide him/her with the best defense money can buy. It is a travesty of justice for any attorney to watch this unbalanced legal system continue unabated. Where are the attorneys to provide pro bono work? Do attorneys believe in a fair system? Is the bar association just apathetic? Or is justice only for those who can pay? I call on the bar association (especially the ones who hold degrees due to the generosity of the tax payer) to address the issue of poor citizens facing these serious offences undefended! Shame on the legal system! Shame on all those who only fight for causes when money and status are factored in! Where are the human rights people to cry bloody shame on our legal system? Where are the Christian defenders of the poor as Jesus commanded? Am I the only person who sees that each instance of imbalance in the legal system is a further tear on our already raveling fabric of justice?
The importance of citizen participation in a democracy cannot be underscored. Without the participation of its citizenry, the United States, arguably the best model in contemporary times for democracy would not have evolved to the status of world leadership today. Citizen participation is as old as democracy itself, it is a concept that suggest everyone should be allowed to participate in the decision making process. This concept sometimes referred to as primary democracy works well in relatively small political jurisdictions where all citizens can have a voice in decision making.
The 18th century political philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote the social contract in which one of his main theories was primary democracy. Rousseau wanted to eliminate all barriers between the people and their government. This would have left just the citizens and their government leaders. The citizens would decide what they wanted, and the political leaders would act accordingly. Additionally, the price of democracy is the ongoing pursuit of the common good by all the people. Alexis De Tocqueville gravely warned that unless individual citizens were regularly involved in the action of governing themselves self-government would pass from the scene. In short, citizen participation is the animating spirit and force in a society.
However, with the rise of the modern administrative state, citizens became increasingly isolated from the process that governed their lives. As a result, this led to the reform movement in the United States. Following the reform movement citizens began to play a more active role in the polity. Citizen participation includes organized interest groups, citizen advisory committees on specific issues, letter-writing campaigns, picketing, nonviolent demonstrations, testifying before local and federal government, sit ins, and town-hall meeting.
Consider the rungs of a ladder; political scientist Sherry Arnstein attempted to sort out the meaning of citizen participation according to an eight rungs ladder of citizen participation. The bottom two rungs of the ladder, which represents non-participation, were called manipulation and therapy. The middle three rungs indicate degrees of tokenism and were labeled informing, consultation, and placation. The top three rungs and the ideal model for citizen participation indicated degrees of citizen power including partnership, delegated power, and citizen control.
In the Caribbean, the late Maurice Bishop’s New Jewel Movement perhaps was the closest to genuine citizen participation as it relates to the Westminster model. The words of the late Maurice Bishop of Grenada, sound a hallowed and sincere tone, “democracy is not just voting for Twiddle Dee or Twiddle Dum every five years.” Bishop believed that for democracy and progress to be successful institutions must be created, in the form of mass organizations all over the country, such as zonal and parish councils through which the proletariat workers and farmers, the women, the youths, and the students would have an opportunity not only to express their views, but to contribute to the making of policy. The system of councils it must be noted, was an experimental system. In the history of Grenada and the Caribbean there were no precedents. It was certainly Bishop’s hoped that this system of councils at the local level, the parish level, and the village level would become institutionalized as organs of people’s power and eventually, grass-root democracy will form part of the normal expectations of all the people. The underlying assumption being that citizen participation should be an ongoing engaging process and not just an election year gimmick.
The Arnstein typology is important because it shows that not all forms of participation entail real power sharing between citizens and elected officials. It is also an excellent framework for understanding citizen participation. A recent example in Belize of this limited conceptualization or non-participation in essence at the middle three rungs of Arnstein’s typology was the recent debate over the 9th Amendment. Citizens were educated and co-opted into accepting the rationale behind Mr. Barrow’s regime plan for action. Citizens were given the appearance or rituals of participation; however, they were denied any real influence over the course of events. Instead of genuine citizen participation it was public relations. Citizen became mere functionaries constantly fed a diet of carefully selected information.
Typical of the way policy is formulated in Belize in an ad hoc, stop-gap manner no serious attempt was made to really educate and inform the public about the importance and longterm implication of such a policy to our national interest. In a country, where elected representatives speak and vote for their constituents with sometimes disastrous results this approach to policy implementation is democracy without the genuine participation of the people. Instead the debate was watered down to petty bickering and rabid partisan politics. In short, an otherwise important public policy initiative that should have transcended party politics turned into a circus of charges and counter charges. They effectively squandered the chance to transcend the issue past the stale partisan debate and rhetoric. Mr. Barrow’s regime produced and promoted information that was favorable to their ambitions and programs. Information or opinions that favored the amendment survived, whereas, those that were contrary were systematically rejected.
Historically, that has been the behavior of our elected leadership with every important public policy issue that has national security implications. Heads of Agreement Maritime Areas Act, and the 7th amendment debate comes to mind. Our leaders seem unable to really engage the people honestly. They much prefer to divide them along party lines thereby diluting the genuine participation of the polity. Something is clearly wrong with the way our society engages its citizens. For one thing, it has lead to too many shortsighted policies. For another, assumptions and deficiencies continue without serious challenges. In most cases, policy is formulated at the bottom two rungs of Arnstein’s ladder. As a result, many of those individuals dedicated to the highest level of public service have become cynical. It is a grave situation when a people resign their citizenship that citizen sinks further into apathy and anonymity.
These openly corrupt elected officials are the true enemy of long-term economic growth and sustainable development in any society. Corruption, being what it is, there is simply no UDP or PUP way to handle corruption. It must be done in a bi-partisan manner. Conversely, unbridled capitalism, with low wages, long hours, and exploited workers, excites social resentment, revives class warfare while infusing extremist with new life. Therefore, to move along constructive lines, capitalism must subordinate short-term plans and profits to such long-term social necessities as investment in education, public safety, the extension of healthcare, infrastructure development, rehabilitation, and redemption of our urban centers.
Of course, I am jousting with windmills here, capitalist simply are not likely to do this by themselves. Long-term perspectives demand public leadership and affirmative government. This type of citizen participation utilizing primary democracy for the ills of the society is very significant. These major political parties have become overly insensitive and remote while paying no attention to the will of people. They have to take notice that we cannot so readily be treated with contempt or taken for granted as their natural accomplices. Perhaps of greater importance is that citizen participation in decision making is the body of democracy itself. These political parties must learn that no government will again be able with impunity run Belize as if by fiat accompli or as a benign dictatorship with the blessings of the people. Short of out and out repression the politics of participation is hard to turn off. With increased self-definition as citizens future Belizean government will inevitably discover that the democratic process cannot afford to be static. More rigorous citizen participation will become the avenue for community self-expression as men and women demand a voice in affairs. If the process is thwarted, sooner or later there will be growing dissension from the electorate.
Thus, citizen participation, is more than just a categorical term for citizen power. It is the redistribution of power that enables the have-not citizens, presently excluded from the political and economic processes, to be deliberately included in the future. It is the strategy by which the have-nots join in determining how information is shared, goals and policies are set, tax resources are allocated, programs are operated, and benefits like contracts and patronage are parceled out. In short, it is the means by which they can induce significant societal reform that enables them to share in the benefits of the affluent society (i.e. a more equitable distribution of the economic pie).
How dare YOU question my Belizean nationality and nationalism. I am 100 percent born Belizean from Belizean parentage and ancestors of the Black slaves shackled in chains to cut down Mahogany, East Indian whe brought ova to the West Indies to replace slavery, Mayan whe land get rape and pillaged and the same white buccaneers and spaniard whe cause all dem damage. I dah Belize and Belize dah me! Before unu start to measure people Belizeanness based on geographic location; before shutting up objectivity fi party agenda..look pan yuself! You defend thieves and criminals..Yes the same politicians dem! If yu nuh have wa brand name or if yu pickney dah fi wa “nobody” man, I suggest yu start campaign fi wa betta Belize and stap being wa pawn! This game bigga than you and me! This game dah bout the wealth of Belize and who wants to control it..so since I nuh benefit eitherway…I demand accountability from my leaders! I will ask the tough question! I call dem pan the bullshit! and if ALL you could si is that yu party di get bash and CAN’T realize I LOVE Belize..then maybe u need fi go get yuself deprogrammed and go get reboot into wa sense of nationalism and what being a Belizean should mean!
“A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of…” H. L. Mencken
Whoever coined the term “silly season” has understated the ridiculous fever pitch the Belize elections is unfolding into. For starters, I am personally sick and tired about hearing about Belize’s new “heroine” Schakron . We are celebrating a character that withheld vital information from her party, turned her entire party into a bunch of flip floppers instead of doing the “heroine” thing and stepping aside for a qualified candidate. Apparently political animals suffer from separation anxiety because at this juncture it is safe to say the PUP are flogging a dead horse, failing to let the Schakron issue go and with only two weeks to go before the elections. I am not sure anyone but diehard PUPs see Schakron as a victim, therefore, after singing to your choir, and the choir has responded in kind and not gaining one vote from the entire debacle and possibly turning off independent voters from the charade, PUP should be like me and never mention her name again.
Secondly, what is the purpose of defacing signs? How childish! Do signs really pose a threat? Do people look at a sign and think “OMG, I didn’t realize what a great party that was until I saw his sign! I will surely vote for X because their sign really did it for me” . Are we electing leaders or children? When I see sign defacement , I see an immature act and begin questioning what that person has to say that makes the other party feel so threatened.
And this is the biggie for me. Lying to voters! Just bold face, unapologetically, lying and misinforming the people, hoping to win votes. This behavior is a big turn off to me and many voters. Lying, cheating, stealing, withholding information and deception all speak volumes to a person’s character. If you will lie for something insignificant, imagine when you are in office and faced with tough decisions where character becomes key, what then?
Is asking our politicians to behave in a civil manner asking too much? This should be a time where voters can be confident that the information leaders are sharing are reliable; a time when our youths can learn how to compete fiercely and fairly; a time to teach our people about our constitution and political system; a time to realize that Belize’s dire conditions requires maturity beyond the present disgraceful display. Grow up politicians and future leaders! Earn respect and act in a respectful manner. You are an embarrassment to the youths, voters and the world. You are leaving behind images that are viewable throughout the world on YouTube, Facebook and online media sources. And just in case it didn’t occur to you, those footprints you are leaving behind will remain searchable forever!
Are you people listening with you logical and analytic brain, the front part, or just the reptilian brain, the back paat whe responsible for “aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays”?
I hope it is the former for your own benefit because what these politicians are trying to pull is just insulting. They want us to believe shit that is easily disproved and verifiable. What am I talking about? The Schakron Shennanigans of course! (notice ah lawn fi spell shi name karreck! :))
Yesterday, Ms. Schakron was declared ineligible to run in these elections because of her dual citizenship with the US and Belize. So far, I don’t see the problem…there is a law, and it was followed. O wait. Is that the problem? Have we become so used to just doing whatever the fuck we want that when somebody actually has the audacity to follow protocol, we react with shock and despair and hollah “INJUSTICE”?
HOLY SHIT BUCKET!!!! The irony is not lost on me and it better not be on you or else you need fuh get back anda di covahs, sleep so mo and den wake up again! Ms. Lisa Shoman went on tv, so will forever have her statements documented, and said that an injustice occurred and that some people da Belize nuh like democracy. BUWAHAHAHAHAHA WHAT THE FUUUUUCK?????
Lookya Lisa, nuh ehm yu mi look convinced bout dat one. How can an injustice be claimed when infact it was merely a decision reflecting the law of the land? O you nuh like di law? Change it den! O wait. Dah yu mi seh no right?!
Sorry mein. Ah nuh mean fi di laff so haad but that is what I do. I laugh at downright idiocy and simpleness. You guys are truly just handing me fodder for the exploiting. I’m laughing all day, everyday.
And den night falls and the laughter drifts away and it is replaced with real true sadness.
Holy what frig is this? You guys took no responsibility for your errors. You point the finger squarely at people who had nothing to do with your inability to read simple English and realize the requirements were not going to allow for her candidacy. Why couldn’t you simply have acted in the best interest of your party and the people you serve and behave like law abiding citizens?
I will tell you this. I hope that you guys are not allowed to take leadership roles anymore, not in this arena. I love the causes Ms. Shoman champions and I absolutely would love to the see the women’s agenda put into action but after thisya rass, your credibility is on the line and I frankly, cannot trust in your abilities to fight fair and fight right. I question that you will able to represent my needs as a woman and make good decisions in my name. And I sure as shit don’t want either of you representing me in the diplomatic corps either.
These emotional outbursts and hollerin and screamin may have worked on a people used to being screamed at and put down in the past by their colonial masters, but hopefully , not on this generation. We are smart, informed and on to you. Stop trying to insult us with your condescending attempts to pull the wool…we aint no bloody sheep. Dem days dun!
The revelation that PUP Lake Independence Standard Bearer Yolanda Shakron is Guatemalan born and holds both US and Belizean citizenship highlights once again the pressing need for immigration reform.
It is, of course, an irresistible target for the incumbent UDP who believe that they can score a tko in one constituency even before the polls open on election day, and that is their right. In our view all’s fair in love and politics.
For the PUP the issue is more than embarrassing in that the loss of two candidates in the same constituency just days before the poll may prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome. It will sure lengthen the odds in what most seem to think will be a close election. Surely there must be some feeling of being haunted by karma since the party was vocal in its opposition to the proposed amendment that would have removed this constitutional bar.
But there is no reason for the UDP to boast of their efforts in this matter. As a matter of principle they should not oppose Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy now that she has made a good faith effort to renounce her American citizenship, even if as a matter of political expediency the end of re-taking government justifies their means. The fact is if they were sincere in their position that dual nationals should serve in the National Assembly they would instead champion Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy.
There is also the odious matter of her “stolen passport” which is morally indefensible. When added to the spectacle of her brother campaigning for her political rival it adds up to Belizean politics at its most divisive.
Yes, we view this latest episode as the Shakron sideshow, but an important act in the larger political play. Once again perhaps the most divisive issue in Belize’s political, economic and social discourse, immigration, has been raised and is being personified in a candidacy.
Call it the Immigration Trifecta if you will – no other two countries matter to Belizeans more than the United States of America and Guatemala and in a single candidate we are forced to re-examine our relationship towards each, once again. Hopefully Mrs. Shakron’s candidacy will continue to spur us towards the type of dialogue, of discussion, of debate, which will result in the kind of immigration policy formulation, and/or reformulation, we can all live with, rather than it continuing to be a flashpoint for further divisiveness.
Pretty promises, pointless pledges
In the past two weeks Belizeans have heard from the Governor of the Central Bank and the Barrow administration’s economic advisor, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Executive Chairman of Beltraide and a senior officer in the United Democratic Party on the state of the Belizean economy. We welcome their contribution to the discussion on what we regard as the most pressing issue facing the nation – quo vadis the Belizean economy?
It is regrettable that their willingness to share their opinions and statistics is so belated and seemed spurred by their political expediency than any sense of duty to report to the Belizean nation.
The fact is that for the last three years Belizeans have witnessed record business and home foreclosures, record levels of unemployment, negative growth in local and foreign investment, remittances and tourism arrivals, increased fuel prices, taxation, violent crime, and poverty. We suppose that now they believe that they are the bearer of good news, and it is expedient that they have good news, that we, the struggling masses, will be receptive.
It is counter-productive in terms of moving our economy forward, that the answers to nearly all our questions continue to be blame the superbond, the corruption of the past administrations, and/or the world economy. The fact is that Belize would not have weathered the still on-going economic “storm” as well as it did if the previous administrations had not further diversified our economy to the extent that they did, and in fact continued the development of an economy that proved surprisingly resilient to the “exogenous” shocks of several hurricanes, agro-diseases and disruption, and a world economic “storm the likes of which had not been seen in a hundred years.”
The fact is that if this administration had heeded the warning in the quote above from the Japanese Prime Minister in April 2008, and had continued to reef our financial sails whilst securing the safety social net for our most disadvantaged, we would have “sailed” through in even greater fashion.
But enough with the rear-view driving: the question to be answered is who has the best plan for the next term of office? Do either party have as its goal Belize as a nation that will be a net exporter? Can either party promise that by 2016-17 we will be facing a future where our debt worries are a thing of the past? Will anyone declare full employment more than an illusion to be pursued but never attained?
We went from promises of a “chicken in every pot” to a roof above every head to now what, more pretty promises and pointless pledges? We want plans and projects, not promises; policies and programs, not pledges; proposals not propositions.
So…it’s Friday. People are yaking yaking about Shakron dis and Shakron dat. Frankly…I feel sorry for her. She is being used by both parties, yeah…I said it.
PUP is telling Ms. Shakron “UDP fraid fi yu gial…dats why dey di go awn soh”, bolstering her ego so she can continue to run for them and help stave off collapse of a party which has been plagued by infighting and candidates dropping out.
I suspect the UDP doesn’t care all that much about the effect Shakron will have on its chances of winning. UDP is only using this whole Shakron ting to further discredit the PUP, call hypocrite and wipe Lisa Shoman‘s face with her own words. The UDP is simply having a free for all at PUP’s expense.
I don’t know you Ms. Shakron but I sure as hell would not be giving up my damn US citizenship for dis here bunch. And before anybody jumps me from behind, this ain’t about love of country…this is about love of self. You bettah love yourself more than any country and any people, BECAUSE at the end of the day, these fuckers ain’t go be nowhere round, come March 8th and she didn’t win or PUP happens to lose. It’s just tooooo much of a gamble and it must be difficult to put her life in such jeopardy, much less the lives and future of her kids at risk. Because, that is what it is people. See, what people don’t tell you is that once you get into politics like this, there is no turning back, EVER.
I hope you really have only the strongest convictions Ms Shakron, because at the end of the day, they will be all you have.
“Arguments of convenience lack integrity … “ Donald Rumsfeld
Marcel Cardona
The term flip flopper is an American term. Other terms used are U-turn and back flip. Flip Flop et al is normally used in a negative way to describe a politician, normally in a declining political position, or to ride a new wave of support. The flopper changes his position on a subject he has advocated in the past. It comes short of calling a politician a self interested political animal. Many politicians actually get away with changing political positions because the electorate, for the most part, has a very short memory and many times are willing to forgive the indiscretions of politicians. In Belize’s case, even when those indiscretions amount to major corruption scandals. However, historically, people are less tolerant to flip flopping when it comes to changing a political party.
Politics in Belize encourages an environment of distrust and disrespect. As a survival mechanism, politicians tell supporters to mistrust any type of criticism. Any and all criticism, even when it seems unbiased, must be coming from the opposition’s camp. Political parties encourage unquestionable party loyalty; and discourage dissent by publicly punishing the dissenter. The status quo must be maintained and true faithful political party followers must show love of their party more than their country.
Marcel Cardona exploded on the political scene as a young, dynamic, intelligent and articulate politician. However, prior to his official political life, I shared several classes at St. John’s College Sixth form with Marcel. We graduated from the same program. Even back in the early 90s Marcel was an advocate for justice. Marcel was a true believer in George Price and if memory serves right, he was in Jorge Espat’s political camp in the 90s. As a young adult back then, Marcel knew what he wanted while the rest of students were still trying to figure things out. He was no nonsense individual, always on a mission of change while taking on a tough course load at SJC. Marcel shares some similar traits like me, so I can empathize with his passion. He believes in people and causes and will fight tooth and nail for such and he is always in the position fighting for the underdog. With that said, I will admit, I am disheartened by Marcel’s political move that may end his career.
Marcel was never an official candidate of the PUP, but he was a PUP insider. He has strong political family ties and history with the PUP. When PUP was in power, Marcel distanced himself from the PUP, likely the same reason the electorate did. The corruption was wanton and undeterred and many were voting on a hope for change. He was also in Jorge Espat’s camp, and that may account for his keen sense of integrity. Unfortunately Marcel failed to realize that PUP and UDP do not hate each other (as I have said previously in my writings). They are masters at pitting the electorate against each other; however a casual browse in the genealogy will reveal close familial and business ties.
Marcel was the perfect UDP candidate. He was a PUP insider telling the electorate how corrupted PUP was. However, Marcel didn’t understand his role in the political chess game. Once he jumped ship the first time, UDP was happy to use him for political mileage but in a system of distrust, he was never fully a UDP. How could they trust a person motivated by integrity and emotions in a corruptive environment? Marcel believed he was making a decision to benefit the people. He was courted out of his relationship with the PUP; he spilled PUP dirt and found out that he was being used for political mileage. He was not only used, but trapped in an embarrassing and humiliating position for 4 years. Marcel in his attempt to now “punish” the UDP, has decried foul yet once again, and guided only by his emotions, has returned to PUP. And so he finds himself once again in the exact same position he was just 4 short years ago. He is now once again, airing dirty laundry except now it is the UDP; he has now distanced himself from UDP; he has endorsed PUP and has been prominently featured in the PUP commercials. Again nothing more than a political pawn being used for his integrity. Marcel’s integrity is now wavering and if PUP wins, how could PUP realistically trust a man who has contributed to their worst loss in PUP’s history and especially one motivated by integrity and emotions in a corruptive environment?
I know Marcel is not a flip flopper. His stance has always been integrity, however, how can I follow a man reactive to his emotions and one that has submitted himself twice to the role of political pawn? If Marcel take a step back and realize he is misguided by emotions. He will realize his own potential both parties see in him. Marcel would be far more effective and credible agitating changes as an advocate outside the system. His reward may take many years, but if he is a true believer in change, time will not be an obstacle. Unfortunately, our political party system identifies young talented and respectful people, steal their integrity for political mileage and later hang them out to dry while forever blinding or discrediting same. Take off the political lens Belizeans and Wake up!
Billie Holiday croons in the heat of the afternoon, the soft sizzle of the old LP, adding to the melancholy she feels. She remembers her grandmother and her grandfather telling stories of when they would visit the wicked south, the dirty south, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi. She remembers thinking as a child how lucky she was, that she and her friends didn’t live in a world like that: afraid to look into a another’s eyes; taking the back seats in the bus; being beaten just walking down the street minding your own business. Imagine seeing a lifeless body hanging from a tree on the side of a road: face unrecognizable; eyes bulging; tongue bloodied and swollen three times its normal size; limbs bent awkwardly, bones like broken match sticks. That’s what Billie is singing about. Emmett Till was only 14, lynched in Mississippi as late as 1955. Bernice’s own mother was born just the following year making the story still relevant, at least to her. Billie’s voice hauntingly sad, Bernice Toucan let the words tumble across her mind, over her tongue and spill into silence. She switched on her Nina Simone version on her cd player. It was hard to choose which one she preferred so she just didn’t bother and often played both.
Her thoughts went to the events the day before. Little Melanie Chickadee had come home from school, clutching her raincoat against her forehead. She and her older sister, Marion had come straight to her. Marion was screeching her name, “Aunt Bernice! Aunt Bernice! Pleeease, come quick!” At first Bernice hadn’t realized what was going on and was about to send her housekeeper to check what all the noise was about, when she heard the flapping at her window. She looked out and there was Marion and Melanie, blood dripping from Melanie’s head. She rushed to let them inside and got the housekeeper, Maisy, to get a clean wet towel and some water for the girls to drink. She gingerly cleaned Melanie’s head while asking Marion to calmly tell her what happened.
“Aunt Bernice. I don’t know how ih end up dis way. We midi come home from school when one of the boys in another group started to make jokes about the man they stoned on George Street. He was singing “Boom bye bye inna batty bwoy head” and the other kids were laughing and shouting “all batty man need fi get shot”. Melanie turned around and said to Leroy, the main bwoi who midi do it, ‘God seh fi luv eviadi. How you wuda like it if dami you?’ Then Leroy get vex and come up to Melanie and tellah ‘Tek dat back! I nuh gay! what? da musi yu gay!’ Melanie shake ih head and telah, ‘ah nevah seh u gay but my ma seh dat people whe talk di mos gat di most fi hide.’ Den he try push ah dung and Melanie push ah back. Suh I get Melanie and tell ah mek wi goh home. Den wen wi miya jus turn di cawna, ah feel sumting knack mi back and den ah si Melanie drop dung pan di street.”
At this point Marion’s voice is rising and her breath is quickened. She swallows and hi cupped a few times so Bernie reaches over and gives her a glass of water.
“Marion. Just sip it slowly, sweetie. Everything is ok now. Take your time.”
“Oh, Aunt Bernice,” wailed Marion. She was sobbing now and so was Melanie.
Bernice just gathered them both under her wings and rocked them as their bodies shook. By now, her own children were in the room, quietly standing by the doorway. She beckoned them to come and they did so quietly. Their eyes were wide and fear made them still. Bernie realized that she was still holding the bloody towel and could only imagine what they must be thinking. She smiled reassuringly and said, “Melanie and Marion were attacked by one of their school friends on the way home from school.”
Her daughter made a clucking sound and said, “Some friend.”
‘Katherine, I am sure the boy who hurt Marion and Melanie doesn’t even understand what he was doing or why he was saying what he was saying.”
“Oh, mom! Why you always have to be like this? Can’t you just get mad like everybody else? Nelson ma miwa dun di walk to da lee bwoi house fi bus fi hi head!” Bernice shot Katherine her ‘you bettah stop that now’ glare and Katherine stopped her tirade. Katherine sighed and asked in a lowered voice, “Whe hi seh?”
“Well, he was making fun of the incident that happened on George Street and saying derogatory things and Melanie stood up to him.”
“Way to go Melanie!” said Katherine.
Melanie raised her head and smiled weakly at the compliment.
Katherine tried not to react but Henry gasped. Even with the wound cleaned, it still looked frightening.
Bernice got up and said to the girls, “I think we had better call your mother. We can go pick her up at the factory and then go see your doctor or the ER whichever your mother prefers. I think you might need stitches Meli Mel.”
“Ok, Aunt Bernice,” Marion dried her eyes and hugged her sister close to her.
“Maisy, please have the driver pick up Lindsey and bring her and Darnell over here to stay with Henry and Katherine. You guys play some games while we are gone ok?”
Katherine and Henry nodded, not saying anything.
Bernice called her friend and quickly relayed the details. They decided to take Melanie and Marion to Bernice’s private doctor. She really didn’t want the girls at the public hospital facing all kinds of stares and even more trauma. Bernice felt it was the least she could do. Melanie had stood up to a bully today and she paid the price. She needed to know that it wasn’t in vain and that people would respect her for being so brave. Bernice felt that by taking care of the wound and quickly trying to get Melanie and Marion to bed with some dinner and tea, the sooner the girls could recover.
At the doctor’s office, while Melanie was receiving her stitches, Bernice and Dodes waited in the lobby. Dodes started to cry.
“How could this happen Bernie? They are just kids. Melanie is still just a baby. And this boy? What would possess him to stone my children? Did you see the bruise on Marion’s back?’ Of course she had but she just nodded. She knew Dodes didn’t really want her to talk. She just needed to cry and vent. “I feel like it’s all my fault. She told that little boy something I said.”
Bernice grabbed Dodes by the shoulders and turned her to face her. “Now stop it, Dodes. You only try to raise your children to be fair and just. She stood up to that boy because of what she believes and you are the one who gave her those beliefs. And they are good beliefs Dodes. Don’t let some ignorant little boy who has no idea what he is talking about change what you are teaching your children. There will always be bullies out there. And we all have to learn how to deal with them. Now. Get yourself together. We have to call the police as soon as we get home and the kids are gonna come out here any minute now.”
Dodes had nodded silently and sniffed loudly, trying to regain her composure. Bernice softened as she saw her friend try to calm herself. “Dodes. I am so proud of you. You are a great mom. Look at the wonderful children you raised. You need to let them know that you are proud of them ok? They did the right thing and they want to know that from you, ok?’ Bernice hugged her friend and felt herself start to tear up. Just then the girls came out all patched up and smiling, each with a lollipop their new favourite doctor had given them.
Bernice presses replay and listens to Nina again. She sings about murder and cruelty. Facts race through Bernie’s head. At one time, there were 4 million members in the KKK, made up of doctors, lawyers and even religious ministers. They justified their hatred with biblical quotes. They let their children cheer at lynchings, then let them go home to have the wives and sisters of those they lynched, cook their food and kiss their bruises and scrapes. And here it was, happening again, this time directed against sexual orientation. Did we never learn? History seems bent on repeating itself, lessons lost. Yesterday, a stoning, tomorrow a hanging. What would it take to satisfy these bigots? How could self-proclaimed devout Christians incite such hatred and not feel an ounce of Christian love and tolerance for their fellow creatures, God’s creatures?
Bernice sighs and presses replay. She had begged Dodes to be strong and take pride in her good sound beliefs she taught her children. Bernice shared these beliefs and expected no less from her own children. But, she could not help but be painfully aware of the difference. Bernice was definitely more insulated against such assaults as that just perpetuated against two little girls by a little boy. Dodes was alone, her children subject to dangers Bernice’s weren’t. Melanie and Marion hadn’t gone to school today. It was Friday anyway. Dodes had decided she wanted them to recover as well as have the next three days for the incident to fade in the schoolmates’ memories. But Bernice decided that even though the police had been called and the little boy arrested, that was not enough. She needed to go to that school and talk to the principal. Dodes had not gone because she needed to go to work but Bernice could and decided she would.
Nina sings about bodies swinging and the image of ropes hanging from trees flashes across Bernie’s mind. She is at the end of her rope. She is tired, tired of the inexplicable hate fueled by ignorance and fear. She could not just stand and watch this escalate. She makes a silent promise to all those who had hurt and all those who continue to hurt. She would not stand down or stand aside. She would stand up and stand beside and fight for what was only right and decent. She rises and goes to her room. She would go to that school and demand some sort of corrective action. She would get the media involved and send a strong message that this would not be tolerated. She wants to take that little boy, and others like him, and show him there is a different way to live, to think, to act. Plans blossom in Bernie’s head and hope flickers and then brightens. She is at the end of her rope but she will turn around and use it as a lasso, gather those wayward children and teach them to love and be accepting of difference. Bernice giggled out loud and shook her head. She marvels at herself. Even while she is thinking very dark morose thoughts, a funny image pops into her head of herself lassoing these boys. Bawk! Bawk! Bawk! Her giggles give way to hysterical laughter borne out of her own anxiety and apprehension about what she is about to do.
I think Aria and I are both getting a little emotionally spent at this point…writing every day means a heavy commitment to reading a lot, discussing even more and then formulating a concise bunch of words that appeals to our audience. That said, we are not going to quit, not by any means; but, lawd a massi, as one of my friends says it, this is truly trying. I suppose we were prepared for opposition and discord, even outrage. What we weren’t prepared for, I don’t think, is the hatred. Aria and I are similar in that way. We have a keen sense of what is fair, what is right, what is just. We cannot stand aside and watch when others are attacked and belittled, demeaned and now, actually physically assaulted. Where is the Church now? Why have the leaders not come out against this crime? this sin? One doesn’t have to look far for direction on this matter. Jesus didn’t ascribe to the morality of the day, you know, stoning of the immorals; and, in fact, told religious bigots that the prostitutes would enter in heaven before they do. He preached tolerance of the ‘immoral’ you know, ADULTERERS, PROSTITUTES AND HOMOSEXUALS. He socialized with them and even made some of them APOSTLES…I’m just saying, if you are feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed…Jesus has been showing you for, oooh, a couple thousand years.
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