Dear Editor,
Once again the programme ‘Our Life, Our culture’ on NCN, June 21, did a splendid job in giving us added insight into the horror of the now prevalent, rapidly spreading and alarming situation in our society: domestic violence, rape, the sexual molestation of minors, incest, sexual harassment, etc.
The guests, Vidyaratha Kissoon and Karen DeSouza were definitely au fait with the issue at hand, and with ease and calmness they were ever ready to respond, almost like a touch button. They flowed like a rippling brook while sharing valuable and enlightening bits of information which it was easy to assume they must have experienced, in addition to having dealt with quite a number of such cases.
And as usual the host, Wanita Huburn, forever with searching questions, in detective like manner, prompted her well-informed guests into revealing hidden secrets. This programme dispelled myths and highlighted the hypocrisy that the many perversions taking place are mainly the doings of the poor and members of the lower class. No doubt there are many horrible things that go on in the homes of the poor, one of the main reasons, I think, being their impecunious condition – which is not to say that they do not have questionable characters among them. But there are also obscene and unspeakable things which go on in the homes of the wealthy/upper class. The acknowledgement that men are born with a baser instinct means that all races, classes, creeds and pedigrees comprise individuals who are good and bad, decent and sleazy.
But unfortunately it is invariably the penniless perpetrators who are hounded and prosecuted, while the rich and the powerful are ‘untouchable.’ Come on, who is going to bring in Mr Judge’s son? Mr Minister’s son? Mr CEO’s son?
We gathered from the programme that many of the immoralities that go on in the homes of the top functionaries and important people are rarely brought into the open because of a need to maintain that veil of uprightness/respectability, and their status, office and standing in the society. The overwhelming pressure from members of this class bears down heavily on their victims not to speak a word; hence they suffer in silence.
But I’ve heard of many rape victims of the poor also who have been reluctant to come forward about their plight, even though they have no status to protect, except pride and shame.
The point is, whatever the status of the rape victim – the daughter of a peasant or of a priest – both have been violated and traumatized.
‘Our Life, Our Culture’ must be commended for their selection of topics. From the few I’ve seen so far, none has been a trivial indulgence.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
