Ronald Thwaites | Tek we for fool-fool people...

“Dem tek we for fool-fool people.” That was the response of the big woman on the corner downtown to the news that the police had closed their file on the horrible beat-up of a woman by a ‘big man’ in the west. “So now, even if everybody see you a bus’ the woman head, thump her, kick her and tek chair clap her, you can shut you mouth and get away with it? Even after you same one go to police and tell them is she lick you first, nuttin cyan come outa it”?

“Is so justice stay now in Jamaica,” her companion mused. “Me just glad my sister file for me already. From the time the duppy kill the man in the house at Barbican Road and nuttin cyan come outa it, me no wan stay here. And now this one. I did think Andrew woulda have fi carry the paper for him big house go bail him. If a my son, him woulda still deh a jail. Is only if yu have money…,” her words trailed off.

Those ladies well know the regular Friday afternoon practice at Central Police Station

Amid the pandemic of domestic violence overtaking the nation, it is shocking that so many women are so besotten with tribal wine or filled with self-contempt that they defend the abuse. Check social media or the scuttlebutt on Great George Street. “A mus she do im sumptn real bad. She mus a give im bun an im find out. Afta all, she no dead. A so man stay. Watch how dem soon get back together. Don’t we is all Labourite! Jus give her a money, or a house or car an tell her fi shet har mout’. If she mek di man go a jail, she nah get nuttin.”

PARTY FANATICISM TRUMPS PRINCIPLE

Party fanaticism and practical talk trumps principle every time. Listen to the decent Speaker Dalrymple-Philibert squashing Tony Hylton’s motion to suspend by saying that she could not identify the suspect MP when he himself had by then acknowledged the event but claimed self-defence.

Minister Babsy Grange, how are you going to muster support against domestic violence when the response to such an egregious incident is met, at least up to the weekend, by a ‘mouth-water statement’ about leave of absence and that you are not talking to the guy anymore?

What is the powerful, persuasive and unforgettable lesson which this event has taught to our hundreds of thousands of out-of-school, out-of- job young people?

The worst casualty of this incident and the way it has been handled, is the further loss of public confidence in politicians and the political process. There can be neither economic, social nor moral advance unless, even if we disagree, we can trust the truth and sincerity of our leaders’ words and deeds.

Permit me a word to Mr Wright, MP. Sir, if you are not the abuser in the video, please say so convincingly and present your alibi. However, if it is you who fought the woman, please do not hide under the smelly skirt of silence or tribal arrogance. Resign your seat because your conduct, even if you are not to be held criminally responsible, is incompatible with the holder of a seat in the highest court of the land.

After that, exonerate yourself by whatever means possible, or seek forgiveness from the lady and from those you represent. If you are contrite, they will accept you. After that, if you wish, return to representational politics. Do it this way and your conscience will be clean, your reputation redeemed, your party saved from humiliation, and the morals of the nation uplifted.

It is still possible to turn this ugly nightmare into a positive outcome.

Rev Ronald G.Thwaites is an attorney-at-law. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.