Dear Editor,
Chris Gayle’s recent expressions of interest to a female reporter during an interview in Australia reflects a lack of sensitivity to where he was and who he is.
This behaviour apparently shocked many in the sports world and others in general in Australia and elsewhere. It would seem that this behaviour is acceptable where he is from, and this assumption may be correct, not in Australia.
Public expressions of libido are common in the Caribbean since the days of the British overseers who, without female companionship, chose to take to themselves their female slaves, and the male slaves didn’t miss that. Slavery ended and the culture of unsolicited sexual advances was taken to the next level. It happens at all levels of the society in Jamaica, except, it is usually kept within the social/racial class, and usually not publicly displayed, except perhaps, in Jamaica.
This public display of libido is on show in Fern Gully, Ocho Rios, where manifestations of the male sexual organ — so-called art — line the sides of the roadway, awaiting tourist buses and others who have an interest in such things. I find this display offensive, perhaps because of envy of the proportional size represented, but I think it is also because of how I was brought up. I have never taken the size of any part of the anatomy as having anything to do with other more appreciated human traits.
I believe that, psychologically, humans like to be a part of a group, and some want to be seen as a leader or perhaps to be seen as special in that group. So, perhaps physical attributes that provide dominance of one over another is a good thing, but it is never a substitute for personality, integrity or other non-physical attributes. A lot of people rely on their good looks or physical attributes to get by. Some think that good- looking people are more intelligent, stronger, or more honest. I don’t share that opinion, and have the benefit of time to know that good looks are only skin -deep, and not an indication of being better, good, honest or stronger. But, it’s just human nature to associate with what we are taught is good-looking.
In the case of Mr Gayle, his comments may be looked at as being entirely appropriate in his world, but being a representative of Jamaica, although not formally, he should have been more careful of letting his libido get the better of him.
As for my Jamaican artisan brethren at Fern Gully, I hope 2016 will provide more insight for you to see what and who is around you, and make you aware that the people, including the children, looking at what you show others, and come to realise that what you show is who you are. I hope you endeavour to be more than that one-dimensional element you have been trying so hard to represent.
Hugh M Dunbar
hmdenergy@gmail.com
Chris Gayle’s recent expressions of interest to a female reporter during an interview in Australia reflects a lack of sensitivity to where he was and who he is.
This behaviour apparently shocked many in the sports world and others in general in Australia and elsewhere. It would seem that this behaviour is acceptable where he is from, and this assumption may be correct, not in Australia.
Public expressions of libido are common in the Caribbean since the days of the British overseers who, without female companionship, chose to take to themselves their female slaves, and the male slaves didn’t miss that. Slavery ended and the culture of unsolicited sexual advances was taken to the next level. It happens at all levels of the society in Jamaica, except, it is usually kept within the social/racial class, and usually not publicly displayed, except perhaps, in Jamaica.
This public display of libido is on show in Fern Gully, Ocho Rios, where manifestations of the male sexual organ — so-called art — line the sides of the roadway, awaiting tourist buses and others who have an interest in such things. I find this display offensive, perhaps because of envy of the proportional size represented, but I think it is also because of how I was brought up. I have never taken the size of any part of the anatomy as having anything to do with other more appreciated human traits.
I believe that, psychologically, humans like to be a part of a group, and some want to be seen as a leader or perhaps to be seen as special in that group. So, perhaps physical attributes that provide dominance of one over another is a good thing, but it is never a substitute for personality, integrity or other non-physical attributes. A lot of people rely on their good looks or physical attributes to get by. Some think that good- looking people are more intelligent, stronger, or more honest. I don’t share that opinion, and have the benefit of time to know that good looks are only skin -deep, and not an indication of being better, good, honest or stronger. But, it’s just human nature to associate with what we are taught is good-looking.
In the case of Mr Gayle, his comments may be looked at as being entirely appropriate in his world, but being a representative of Jamaica, although not formally, he should have been more careful of letting his libido get the better of him.
As for my Jamaican artisan brethren at Fern Gully, I hope 2016 will provide more insight for you to see what and who is around you, and make you aware that the people, including the children, looking at what you show others, and come to realise that what you show is who you are. I hope you endeavour to be more than that one-dimensional element you have been trying so hard to represent.
Hugh M Dunbar
hmdenergy@gmail.com