Dear Editor,
After reading Naicelis Williams’s letter captioned “Women are regularly subjected to vulgar remarks and obscene suggestions” (07.10.07), I couldn’t help but agree with her position.
It reminds me of a recent incident where a police officer upbraided some young men for not allowing women to “walk in peace” because of derogatory remarks made to thewomen.
This male form of “compliment” is especially disturbing since no one has the right to describe the physical anatomy, more especially our physical attributes that identify our sexuality in a sordid manner.
Mr Editor for this reason I am disturbed at Ms Sharmillah (Penny) Narine’s (“I don’t mind cat calls from men” Tuesday, October 9 2007) response.
In my opinion something must be definitely wrong with my opinion of myself as a woman if I give men the “right” to abuse me with derogatory phrases such as “you’re a good looking b****, or girl look at your a**”, to give me a positive sense of my sexuality.
It is true that some of us feel the need for more compliments than others but the kind described are unappealing. There are inherent power relations in those remarks and the sooner we understand that as women the more we will gain control over our lives .
“International Day of Violence against Women” provides the opportunity for Ms. Narine and others who think Ms. Williams is “thin skinned” to take the platform and explain to our young girls why their self-concept hinges on men addressing them in a manner devoid of respect.
Yours faithfully,
Dionne Frank
