Dear Editor,
The incident at UTech last week was nothing short of shameful. Regardless of one's view of homosexuality, hate crimes must be denounced! It was appalling to watch the video, where two men caught in a compromising position attracted a boisterous crowd of angry students who dropped all their other student business to turn up at the security gate post acting like wild animals.
In the Jamaican context, one only has to shout the word "gay" to cause a mad frenzy; no questions or proof needed. No one, especially a student in a place of learning, deserves to be attacked or humiliated in such a barbaric manner, worse by security personnel entrusted with their safety. The entire security group who stood by facilitated the beating, so have guilt on their hands - they should be dealt with fully by the law. They infringed on basic human rights and failed in their duty to protect the young man.
As news of the incident on the video circulated, it was reassuring to know that many well-thinking Jamaicans condemned the attack. Though attitudes might be changing, thanks to media, film, TV, internet, etc, the National Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Same-Sex Relations stated that only one in five Jamaicans are tolerant, a mere 20 per cent - this is still not good enough, as it is the remaining 80 per cent who continue to display ugly behaviour like what we saw on the video. We can no longer pretend we don't live in a world which is diverse, and we should know by now that we cannot change that either.
Those local media outlets that blocked the recent "tolerance" campaign will now need to open their eyes and rethink their strategy on these issues. Church leaders who are always quick to cast judgement will also have to reflect on their naive and selfish position. It wasn't long ago that former Asst Commissioner of Police Les Green, followed by columnist Betty Ann Blaine, came out with comments to the effect that Jamaica was not a homophobic society and that violence against gays was of their own doing. I hope they will get the idea now.
We need to hear from the minister of youth and culture, the minister of education and of course the PM who, during her campaign last year, promised to stand up for all human rights and revisit the issue of the antiquated buggery law which continues to fuel a culture of hate, stigma and discrimination.
It is time to take the bull by the horns and show some decisive leadership - leading by example. Those students involved in the mob attack must hang their heads in shame. They helped to tarnish the reputation of their institution as news of the incident continued to spread worldwide. Those shouting "Dem fe dead", even on social media afterwards, had better be careful what they wish for others, because some day they too might suffer a similar fate or worse. We must learn to be more respectful and mindful of diversity, which is a part of life, regardless of our views.
Rev Desmond Tutu, prominent leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, once said in support of gay rights: "I have spoken against the injustice, apartheid... racism, where people were penalised for something about which they could do nothing, their ethnicity... I therefore could not keep quiet. It was impossible, when people were hounded for something they did not choose, their sexual orientation." So, when will we really learn? These incidents don't score points for "Brand Jamaica", and with these forms of violence around us, we may soon have to actually acknowledge that the best of Jamaica is no longer on its shores!
Pete Delisser
pdelisser1988@yahoo.com
UTech's moment of shame
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The incident at UTech last week was nothing short of shameful. Regardless of one's view of homosexuality, hate crimes must be denounced! It was appalling to watch the video, where two men caught in a compromising position attracted a boisterous crowd of angry students who dropped all their other student business to turn up at the security gate post acting like wild animals.
In the Jamaican context, one only has to shout the word "gay" to cause a mad frenzy; no questions or proof needed. No one, especially a student in a place of learning, deserves to be attacked or humiliated in such a barbaric manner, worse by security personnel entrusted with their safety. The entire security group who stood by facilitated the beating, so have guilt on their hands - they should be dealt with fully by the law. They infringed on basic human rights and failed in their duty to protect the young man.
As news of the incident on the video circulated, it was reassuring to know that many well-thinking Jamaicans condemned the attack. Though attitudes might be changing, thanks to media, film, TV, internet, etc, the National Survey of Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Same-Sex Relations stated that only one in five Jamaicans are tolerant, a mere 20 per cent - this is still not good enough, as it is the remaining 80 per cent who continue to display ugly behaviour like what we saw on the video. We can no longer pretend we don't live in a world which is diverse, and we should know by now that we cannot change that either.
Those local media outlets that blocked the recent "tolerance" campaign will now need to open their eyes and rethink their strategy on these issues. Church leaders who are always quick to cast judgement will also have to reflect on their naive and selfish position. It wasn't long ago that former Asst Commissioner of Police Les Green, followed by columnist Betty Ann Blaine, came out with comments to the effect that Jamaica was not a homophobic society and that violence against gays was of their own doing. I hope they will get the idea now.
We need to hear from the minister of youth and culture, the minister of education and of course the PM who, during her campaign last year, promised to stand up for all human rights and revisit the issue of the antiquated buggery law which continues to fuel a culture of hate, stigma and discrimination.
It is time to take the bull by the horns and show some decisive leadership - leading by example. Those students involved in the mob attack must hang their heads in shame. They helped to tarnish the reputation of their institution as news of the incident continued to spread worldwide. Those shouting "Dem fe dead", even on social media afterwards, had better be careful what they wish for others, because some day they too might suffer a similar fate or worse. We must learn to be more respectful and mindful of diversity, which is a part of life, regardless of our views.
Rev Desmond Tutu, prominent leader in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, once said in support of gay rights: "I have spoken against the injustice, apartheid... racism, where people were penalised for something about which they could do nothing, their ethnicity... I therefore could not keep quiet. It was impossible, when people were hounded for something they did not choose, their sexual orientation." So, when will we really learn? These incidents don't score points for "Brand Jamaica", and with these forms of violence around us, we may soon have to actually acknowledge that the best of Jamaica is no longer on its shores!
Pete Delisser
pdelisser1988@yahoo.com
UTech's moment of shame
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