Unfortunate lessons in PNC character-abuse
Some of you (“regulars”) will recognize, even appreciate, that it’s not easy for me to avoid local politics altogether these days.
Notwithstanding the fact that that reality – inclusive of a pillar of democracy: elections – has been made dangerously volatile and toxic by political rogues, renegades and power-grabbers.
However, escapist-like, I return to a lead issue that has intrigued me for – I would calculate – the past 50 years. It’s the social phenomenon and reality of same-sex relationships in our “modern” world.
You see those of us past seventy/eighty would appreciate that when I/we were in our teens and twenties – in the fifties/sixties – there was nothing like a “GLBTQ etc” community. Demanding legal rights, social recognition, justice and peace to exist in a fair and just society. No! No! My young-days male-dominated Guyana heaped scorn upon persons – males especially – attracted to their own gender. Colourful demeaning names and descriptions, taunts, actual physical harassment and ridicule followed those folk continuously.
Male homosexuals were deemed “anti-men”, with more creative descriptions reserved for same-sex females. If we younger ones could have been forgiven for our ignorance and intolerance of those times, how could we ignore the rationale for GLBT abuse and condemnation from supportive adult “Christians”?
That “old” generation held fast to their Christian/Islamic precepts in their Holy Books. Never any debate then amongst them regarding the fact that their Creator seemed to embrace all created in His image.
Slowly – or suddenly acceptance?
It’s a little less than fifty years (ago) since I slowly began to “tolerate” – if not accept – same-gender relationships. And the few couples who bravely dared to manifest their preferences openly.
Much later on vacation in New York, USA, the issue, the debate, the reality assailed my consciousness and started, perhaps, my recognition/acceptance epiphany.
On a Friday there was a grand Gay Pride Parade in Manhattan, New York City. An eye-opener for poor me. The very next Saturday that State legalized gay/lesbian same-sex marriage. Boy oh boy! All the implications and consequences, the pros, the cons, the products of the new legislation were bared.
The polls showed that New Yorkers, by a significant majority, welcomed this legal recognition of human/civil rights! But the Church – especially the Roman Catholics – was outraged. Albeit somewhat compromised by being lamely conditional. Because the purist Christian recourse to Holy Bible tenets was hotly exposed as “non-binding” by the triumphant GLBT community and its legal, moral representatives.
Because even though the Bishops argued that God was clear about who should be joined in Holy Matrimony and that homosexuality could mean the end of the procreation of the human race – and that they really had “nothing” against gays as God’s children” – the GLBT rejected Romans Chap 2 ; as well as warnings inherent in the Sodom and Gomorrah stories. Indeed the community’s scholars pointed to same-sex relationships amongst prominent Bible characters, adding that marriage then was actually also about convenience for sharing property! (Abraham and Samuel. Poor Bible.)
So it is in 2020 now American and European societies accept same-sex unions – from marriage equality to labour rights. It’s a norm. But much of the world seems reluctant to “catch up” – Africa, Asia especially China, Russia.
Guyana? Me?
J.K Rowling, the creator of the fabled Harry Potter, just lost a few thousand fans because she was harsh in viewing transgenders and their demands as “dangerous to woman.” (I also recall a US Licence Officer refusing to issue same-sex marriage licences because she refused to compromise her Christian beliefs.)
Guess what? In Good Old Guyana, to me Frankly Speaking, there has been a noticeable diminution of the ridicule of same-sex realities. Slow acceptance! Okay, okay, I read involved activists’ accounts of anti-gay homophobia but consider the extreme intolerance of my day.
It’s over to sustained education and additional legislation. Me? I can’t embrace “two mommies or two daddies” bringing up children; I won’t promote that life-style. But I certainly accept the reality.
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Real valid fears – Nascimento/Ramharack
I feel for, empathise with a Baytoram Ramharack whose letter in Monday’s edition (SN July 13) suggested that “It’s time opposition leaders take this struggle to a higher level.”
I don’t mind being proven wrong but I regret to inform Mr Ramharack that the moods and attitudes of the current wronged electorate don’t accommodate sustained public protests. Also “safe, controlled and peaceful protests” by all opposition leaders whose votes are under Officer Lowenfield’s threat, have “no belly” now to confront His Excellency’s Coercive Forces and his COVID19 “Task Force” intimidations.
Even though the Police/Army anti-Opposition attacks could be justifiably exploited for the world to witness repression, I suspect that the hurt victims might go underground instead. So it was apposite for Ramharack to quote Kit Nascimento: “ruthless, ignorant and conniving; these are men and women who feel secure that they can do this, supported by (our) military and (our) police.” Kabaka Burnham has to be proud of His Excellency. Up to now…
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PNC! Please ‘buse Ramphal and Amb. Lynch!
My old PNC has sunk to new levels, via its tribal loyalists-surrogates, in character abuse of any who would criticise its post-elections positions.
Just as the PNC has catapulted PPP to “Chief Premier riggers,” they themselves replaced Jagdeo as the “cuss-down chiefs.” Imagine Major-General Joe Singh being called “a simpleton!” Vile personal attacks against past and current CARICOM leaders. Now the once-loved GECOM Chairlady is placed in “a coffin”, is called the “mother of satan” and from NY, “a wicked witch.” His Excellency must be proud of his Facebook spokespersons.
But after ‘busing CARICOM, OAS, Common-wealth, EU, ABC countries, CCJ, I now call on the Character Assassinators to now ‘buse Sir Shridath Ramphal and US ambassador Lynch!
So much to ponder today…
● 1) Gays, lesbians, B, T, Q contribute to Guyana’s well-being through the fashion industry, the arts, entertainment, commerce, the media – and yes – the army.
(I have to educate myself about bisexual and trans(?) persons).
● 2) Be on the lookout! Coming near you – a fire, a bomb scare, some sabotage. Time for a State-of-emergency???
● 3) Personal sanctions against individual evil-doers okay Mr Pompey, President Trump. But not our Oil Earnings in New York. Or my daughter’s small-piece remittance to me. Ow!
● 4) Donald Rodney’s letter (SN 15 July) was a necessary classic for any Rodneyite traitor.
● 5) 115,000 votes no longer good. 156 days for any recount. 100+ acres. Guess who? The Major could decide (ultimately) the Chief of Staff!
● 6) What a 75th birthday gift! Announcement of US sanctions! (Good thing His Excellency goes to Cuba for treatment.)
Til next week!
