gumelemi
Issue 2 Summer 2014
Gumelemi Issue No.2 © August 2014 Gumelemi Magazine All rights reserved. No part of this magazine or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without written consent. Editor: Gabrielle Misiewicz Photographer: Tony Williams Cover Design: Sasha Wells gum elemi tree photo: Elora Williams
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gumelemi (gum•elle•em•ee) a magazine created by young bahamians for young bahamians. after the local tree with the same name. the gum elemi tree has a wide range of medicinal uses, especially to resist disease, restore strength after illness, increase energy and improve circulation. gumelemi exists to energise our generation, to challenge us to think critically about our society, to circulate our thoughts with a view to taking them to the next level. like the concept of bush medicine, using what is in our backyards to heal ourselves, the makers of gumelemi believe that we have in our country minds which possess the answers to our own problems, the ability to find the answers to our problems. gumelemi is here to inspire confidence in ourselves; to assist us in lifting our heads.
Hello there readers, I’m thrilled to present the second issue of Gumelemi to you. Last year’s inaugural edition was well received, and was even featured in Smith & Benjamin’s Bahamian Art & Culture enewsletter! Thank you to everyone who read and shared the magazine. Throughout the year I heard from friends and acquaintances that had read and enjoyed Gumelemi, and who inquired about the next issue. This was really exciting for me because it proves the relevance and importance of this publication. Even if the audience is small, it’s growing! Continue to share both this and last year’s issues, so that we can keep the conversations going and encourage focus, innovation, networking and development in our community. Inside this issue you’ll hear from primarily female Bahamian voices. Brittanie Kemp discusses the controversial dismissal of Dr. Brendan Bain from the University of the West Indies and what we can learn from this event. Sherzel Smith points out that poor preparation of high school students is symptomatic of a larger “complacency culture” in Bahamian society; Trenicka Rolle and D’André Wilson-Ihejirika give a more detailed picture of the state of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in our schools. I have also written an essay for this issue, opening up a conversation on the verbal harassment of girls and women in every sphere of our lives. Earlier this year, Marion Bethel wrote a letter to the government discussing violence against women more broadly; an abridged version of this letter follows my article. The male perspective in this issue comes from the lens of Tony Williams, who took all of the photographs; he has the last word through a photo essay that can be found at the end of the issue. I hope you enjoy and are challenged by this summer’s magazine. Feel free to contact me or any of the contributors with questions or comments, and remember to share Gumelemi with your friends and colleagues. Cheers, Gabrielle Misiewicz Founder, Editor August 2014
Contents
Media Mafia………………………………………………………………………………...1
Complacency in Bahamian Society………………………………...……………..………..6
The State of STEM in The Bahamas………………………………..…………………….10
On Harassment, or, Why I Don’t Appreciate Being Beckoned Like a Dog.………....….16
Violence Against Women and the Responsibility of the State……………………….......22
Sine Larva…...………………………………………………………………………...…..27
Media Mafia Brittanie Kemp
Who ‘buggered’ who? Punishment for holding an opinion
well-being,”1 to encourage beneficial practices and to discourage detrimental
contrary to the more popular and palatable
ones. He outlines these practices on pages
status quo is also known as “victimisation”.
5 and 12 of his document; they include
It is quite common to hear this concept
delaying sexual debut, disclosing HIV status
brewing especially during election time, but
to sexual partners, using approved barrier
victimisation can take many forms,
devices and “eliminating behaviours that carry
especially in the Caribbean. One such case
the highest risk of coming into contact with
is brewing in the sunny isle of Jamaica.
infections.”2 Another of his responsibilities is
Dr. Brendan Bain, a specialist in HIV/AIDS research for over 30 years and
to assess the cost of behaviour to the actor and to the community at large. Citing various articles published
the director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Regional Training (CHART) programme
between 1981-2012 from countries which
since its inception in 2003, was fired from
have repealed buggery laws (Netherlands,
the University of the West Indies (UWI)
USA, France) and countries which have not
after providing an expert statement to the
(Jamaica, Belize), Dr. Bain pointed out that
Belize Supreme Court regarding the
there is a higher relative risk for contracting
unconstitutionality of the law which
and spreading HIV and other STI’s among
criminalises anal sex (buggery) in private
men who have sex with men (MSM).3 Bain also underscored the expense,4
between consenting males.
inconvenience, and incurability of STI’s What did Dr. Bain ACTUALLY say? Expressing his personal and professional opinion on the matter, Bain detailed his responsibility to “assess behaviours for their impact on health and
“Expert Report of Brendan Courtney Bain.” Caleb Orozco and United Belize Advocacy Movement vs Attorney General of Belize in the Supreme Court of Belize. Claim No. 668 of 2010. p. 14. 2 Ibid, 6, emphasis added. 3 Ibid, 7-10. 4 Ibid, 13-14. 1
1
caused by viruses including but not limited
representation of the UWI on HIV and AIDS
to HIV.5 He advocated a comprehensive and
issues. They are, as well, insisting that the
participatory approach to implementing
university drafts and implements a ‘policy which
national plans at all spheres for “prevention,
protects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
care, treatment and rehabilitation of
intersex staff and students from
affected persons,” without making any
discrimination’.”6
reference to the repeal or retention of Either Dr. Bain’s statements were
buggery laws in any country. He did not slander or defame anyone in the statements
incorrect, or they were correct. If the former is true, his accusers
he made, nor did he mention any of his own religious views.
ought to provide ample evidence, as Bain
has done to illustrate his point. If Bain’s
Then what is the issue?
statements were correct, then how could
The assertion of Bain’s accusers is
the trust between Bain and the constituents
that anti-buggery laws promote stigma and
whom he served have been destroyed?
impede access to proper health care by
Please note that during the past 9 years, the
MSM. A May 18 article of the Jamaica
award-winning CHART program has been
Observer (trusted Jamaican newspaper)
responsible for attitudinal training, a “central
notes,
part of the CHART curriculum, with anti-stigma and anti-discrimination training being “A coalition of gay advocacy and civil
paramount.”7 A colleague of Bain, in a letter
rights groups is pressuring the University of the
to the Editor described Bain as “dedicated
West Indies (UWI) to fire Professor Brendan
to the welfare of voiceless and powerless,
Bain as head of the CHART Initiative, claiming
almost-abandoned HIV-positive patients,
that his expert testimony in a case in Belize
and intended to openly provide them
represents a conflict of interest and has destroyed their trust in him. The 33 lobby groups, from a number of Caribbean islands, are also demanding that Professor Bain be removed from all positions of 5
Ibid, 11.
Davidson, V. “Gay Advocates Want UWI Professor Sacked.” May 18, 2014. 7 “Expert Report of Brendan Courtney Bain.” Caleb Orozco and United Belize Advocacy Movement vs Attorney General of Belize in the Supreme Court of Belize. Claim No. 668 of 2010. 2. Emphasis added. 6
2
optimal, comprehensive and affordable
such stigma and discrimination inimical to the
care.”8
public health efforts to prevent and control HIV, Thankfully, as of June 13, 2014, the
but they affront the basic rights which are
Jamaican Supreme Court granted an
enshrined in the constitutions of our
injunction barring the dismissal of Professor
countries.”10
Brendon Bain as the director of the Perhaps adjoining this excerpt to
CHART program until his suit against the UWI is heard.9
UWI’s official statement is the Vice Chancellor’s aim to sensitize the reader to
What’s all the fuss about? In the statement released by Pro-
the Caribbean climate regarding LGBTQIA legal issues; I personally think it is an
Vice Chancellor Harris regarding the
emotional inclusion to arouse support for
termination of Dr. Bain, he chose to include
UWI’s decision to fire Dr. Bain. I respect
an excerpt from an address given by
the former Chancellor’s views, but may I
Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne to the 2013
ask, “Who were the ‘many’ who were
UWI Graduating Class at the Cave Hill
appalled?” And although I respect their
Campus:
opinion, should that impose on national sovereignty or direct/re-direct personal
“…many were appalled to know that eleven of
opinion? One of the cardinal issues
our CARICOM countries are the only ones in the Western Hemisphere which still have laws
surrounding Caribbean buggery laws is the
on their books that criminalise consensual
ambiguity of other laws concerning unlawful
homosexual sex in private…It is sometimes
carnal knowledge of the female (rape) –
suggested that these laws are not enforced and
some laws do not classify anal penetration
therefore pose no problem, but the evidence is
as ‘rape’ and thus, persons violated in such a
clear that they contribute to the stigma and
way are protected under the buggery law.
discrimination suffered by lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Not only is
Wright, W. “Bain Risked Stigma by Shield HIV+ Persons”. The Gleaner. May 26, 2014. 9 “Bain Stays...Secures Injuction Barring Dismissal”. The Gleaner. June 13, 2014. 8
“Excerpt From An Address Given by Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne to the 2013 UWI Graduating Class at the Cave Hill Campus.” Statement Regarding Termination of Contractual Arrangement with Professor Brendan Bain as Director of CHART. Released by the University of the West Indies. May 20, 2014. Emphasis added.
10
3
Buggery law also criminalizes bestiality. Yes,
later corrected.11 There is also some
the wording is tacky; yes, the laws are
speculation regarding the validity of one
colonial and perhaps could use some
third of the groups listed as signatories for
revision, but I personally think the laws do
the petition to sack Bain, as many of them
more good than harm. Furthermore, Dr.
could not be reached by phone or email to
Bain did not make any suggestion
verify their existence.12 Furthermore, keep
concerning the repeal or retention of
in mind that the push to fire Bain came
buggery laws, as I previously mentioned.
from groups external to the UWI who pressured Pro-Vice Chancellor Nigel Harris
Why should we care? I want us all to get the full picture – who is really upset at the statements made
with several letters expressing disappointment that the UWI had not yet terminated Dr. Bain. What does this tell us? That
by Bain and why are they upset? Are his constituents upset or are national and
appearance is everything. Let us disregard
international lobby groups upset? Does the
all facts and logic for a moment and
contention really lie with what he said or
entertain the loud angry mob – with no
the fact that he actually said it? Dr. Bain
facts, or precedent, or sensible rebuttal. Let
dared to make mention of the huge purple
us just hear the volume of the din and let us
elephant in the room and persons who
quickly obey them before we look mean,
engage in at-risk behaviour and/or their
hateful and intolerant, because intolerance
sympathizers did not approve regardless of
will not be tolerated. Why didn’t more
the truth in his statements.
people actually read his article – it is
Bain underwent a barrage of
available for free online! Why hasn’t anyone
injustices by the local and international
come out with proof to say that his
powers that be. His character was maligned
statements were in fact wrong thus
while “trusted” media spread lies about him
justifying his termination? Many, including
– libel! At least two Gleaner (another trusted Jamaican newspaper) articles were released with false information which was
Francis, Jermaine. “A Professor’s Trial”. The Gleaner. May 18, 2014; “National AIDS Committee Dimisses ‘Freedom of Speech’ Assertions in Bain Sacking”. The Gleaner. May 22, 2014. 12 “Duppies Dupe UWI?”. The Gleaner. June 22, 2014. 11
4
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Harris focused on the
creativity and you open the door for
“noise in the market” instead of objectively
confusion to enter. Despite your personal
analysing and searching for the truth.
views on LGBTQIA issues, this article is not
When institutions or governments
asking you to pick a side on that matter; I
bow to seemingly powerful groups, it is only
am inviting you to think objectively on any
a matter of time before other groups use
issue of national import. Accuracy of an
these cases as precedence to push their
argument cannot be assumed merely
own agendas in an effort to attain and retain
because of the redundancy of the argument.
control. It does not matter the issue at
Scrupulously analyse the media’s jargon until
hand; dissent loudly, call names and get
you can unearth the hidden morsels of
results. It is a subtle yet effective strategy to
truth – then and only then can one make a
get one to ignore the issue for want of
truly informed decision.
money, or maintenance of reputation or just to avoid a potentially ugly fight. I say uphold truth, despite the cost (financially or otherwise), despite “winning” or “losing”
Brittanie P. Kemp is a middle child (in recovery)
and regardless of popularity.
and 3rd year medical student at the University
So Bahamians, I implore you to seek
of the West Indies, Mona (Kingston) Jamaica
the truth and you will indeed find it.
Campus. Her leisure time is rapt with
Question everything and choose to take
passionate discussions about relationships,
nothing at face value, for when you allow
natural hair care and other controversial issues.
someone else to make your decisions, you
She can be contacted at
forfeit your right to think, you stifle your
brittpkemp@gmail.com.
5
Complacency in Bahamian Society Sherzel Smith
In 2012, over half of all public high
system, but also reflects a mentality among
school graduates in The Bahamas received a
Bahamian young people that it is fine to be
leaver’s certificate rather than a high school
satisfied with even less than the bare
diploma.13 A leaver’s certificate represents
minimum, in spite of an ability to perform
that one was present and attended school,
better. Academic success is certainly not
but did not satisfy the requirements of a
the be-all and end-all of the human
high school diploma. Essentially, this shows
experience, but it does happen to be one of
that over half of our graduating students did
the first areas of character building for
not obtain what is internationally
children, as well as a preparatory facility for
recognised to be the basic qualifications for
larger society. It is where many of the
working effectively in the developed world.
values children portray in their adult lives
Ironically, Bahamians were alarmed at these
are instilled. Indeed, we have imparted the
reported failure rates; however, this serves
‘complacency culture’ in our children, and
as a prime example of a consequence of
this is an injustice to their future wellbeing
‘complacency culture’ in Bahamian society,
as adults, as well as the future wellbeing of
and representative of the injustice it deals
our society. Leadership coach Israelmore
to our future generations of Bahamians.
Ayivor refers to complacency as “a sword
The aforementioned situation
of two edges…one edge kills hard earned
represents a sociocultural problem in our
successes while the other end stops future
society where we resort to ‘settling’ for
glories; complacency is a barrier”.14 Our
less, as opposed to trying to attain and
culture of settling for less in multiple areas
accomplish more. Indeed, the high rate of
certainly compromises our ability to further
leaver’s certificates does not only
advance as a society.
demonstrate deficiencies in our education
Thompson, T. “Nearly half of students don't qualify for diplomas.” The Nassau Guardian. August 8, 2012.
14
Ayivor, I. The Great Hand Book of Quotes: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2014.
13
6
The situation of Bahamian students
The issue truly resides also at the
is only one example of the complacency
very head of society—our own government
culture we see in our society. The criminal
has demonstrated complacency in their
element could also be considered as a key
approach to many key areas in our national
example of complacency in daily Bahamian
affairs. Our elected officials have a tendency
life. Although we frequently lament the
to fall into complacency in the years
ever-increasing crime rates, parental
following election season. Little has been
complacency in shirking responsibility of
done by our leaders to progress from the
their minor children contributes to their
present service culture of our tourism
entry into lives of crime. Those who
industry in which foreigners maintain more
complain of the criminality culture, but yet
ownership and power than Bahamians. The
support and cover criminal acts of family or
inaction of our government towards key
friends represent an example of
areas such as healthcare, education, and
complacency that allows crime to
environmental conservation also shows
proliferate in our society. We demonstrate
their willingness to be complacent with the
a dangerous complacency towards the
way things are, as opposed to promoting
safety of our children when our first
lasting development.16 17 18
reaction to an underage girl being found
To reiterate Ayivor’s words in
with an older man is to attack her character
regards to complacency as akin to a sword,
as opposed to rally against the grown men
“one edge kills hard earned successes, while
in our society who prey on young girls.15
the other end stops future glories”. It is
And, in truth, the committing of crime itself
important to keep this in perspective when
is representative of complacency culture;
one thinks of the consequences of
for many of those who resort to robberies
complacency. Our ancestors worked
and other criminal mischief have become
tirelessly to attain the freedoms that we
complacent in their own lives, choosing to
enjoy today in The Bahamas, but the spirit
take from others what they have not
Lowe, A. “Two more companies seek oil licenses.” The Nassau Guardian, April 25, 2014. 17 Smith, L. “Christie & PLP condemn themselves over oil drilling.” Bahama Pundit, May 1, 2012. 18 Hartnell, N. “Bahamas healthcare costs 'considerably higher' than region.” The Tribune. March 31, 2013. 16
rightfully earned. Straight Talk Bahamas. “Why do we attack female victims in the Bahamas?” December 2011.
15
7
 of complacency can serve to undo this, as it
acknowledge the presence of complacency
contributes to our further descent into
among us can we open the discussion of
some of the aforementioned societal ills
what we can do to reverse the cycle, for
that threaten to destroy us from the inside
the benefit of our society and our children.
out. In the same way, this prevents us from
I would challenge us to consider the words
achieving our full potential as a nation,
of Ayivor, and consider how we allow
particularly in interest of our children.
complacency to serve as not only a barrier
Considering what was afforded us by the
in our society, but also an injustice to our
toils of our own ancestors, the descent into
future.
complacency in The Bahamas represents an injustice to future generations, who would be faced with the consequences. We as Bahamians must together
Sherzel is a Bahamian young woman who has
acknowledge the perpetuation of
studied in the United States and Europe. She
complacency in our society. The example in
focuses on the intersection between health
our education system shows the severity of
policy and business, but has a general interest
the complacency culture and the impact it
in many social sciences, particularly in the
can have on our children, the very ones
context of Bahamian society. Her email address
who represent our future. Only once we
is sherzelsmith@gmail.com.
Â
8 Â
The State of STEM in The Bahamas Trenicka Rolle and D’André Wilson-Ihejirika
“The power’s off again?”
Mathematics BJC Results
“Medical bills are too high!”
1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0
“Why is there so much traffic?!” These are just a few of the regular complaints of an average Bahamian. Despite all of the great things that The Bahamas has to offer, we are still listed
A
as a third world country, and the primary
B
issue separating of us from becoming a first
C 2011
world country are our services: utilities,
D
E
2012
F
G
U
Abs
2013
Figure 1 - Mathematics BJC Results 2011-2013
healthcare, public transportation, just to name a few.
General Science BJC Results
But when we think about each of
1200
these issues, they can all be solved through
1000
the application of science, technology,
800
engineering and math, or STEM - an
400
600
educational area where we as Bahamians
200 0
are significantly lacking.
A
The need for improved STEM
B
C 2011
education is critical. In the Bahamas Junior
D
E
2012
F
G
U
2013
Figure 2 - General Science BJC Results 2011-
Certificate (BJC), we are seeing the
2013
consistent trend of more than half the students sitting these exams simply passing or failing.
10
Abs
grades C and below.19, 20, 21 Furthermore,
Health Science BJC Results
according to the 2013 BGCSE results, the
1000
average Bahamian student earned a D in
800 600
General Science. In mathematics, the
400
average grade was an E. This unsettling
200
trend continues for chemistry, physics,
0 A
B
C
2011
D
E
2012
F
G
biology and combined science, where
U Abs
students on average earned a C-, C-, D- and
2013
D+, respectively.22 With such distressing
Figure 3 - Health Science BJC Results 2011-
figures, it’s not surprising that fewer than 14
2013
percent of COB graduates major in Science
According to the 2011, 2012 and
and Technology.23
2013 BJC results, the vast majority of
Furthermore, according to the 2013
students who sat the examinations for mathematics, general science and health
BGCSE results, the average Bahamian
science obtained grades of C – U.
student earned a D in General Science. In
Specifically, 82%, 79% and 81% of students
mathematics, the average grade was an E.
obtained grades of C and below in the
This unsettling trend continues for
Mathematics BJC in 2011, 2012 and 2013,
chemistry, physics, biology and combined
respectively.19, 20, 21 In general science, 74%,
science, where students on average earned
78% and 73% of students obtained grades C
a C-, C-, D- and D+, respectively.24 With
and below. Additionally, in health science
such distressing figures, it’s not surprising
75%, 77% and 77% of students obtained
that fewer than 14 percent of COB graduates major in Science and
Technology.25
19
Labor Market Information Newsletter (2011) 26(37). N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/006481900. pdf on June 10, 2014. 20 Labor Market Information Newsletter (2012) 27(39). N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/012457100. pdf on June 10, 2014. 21 Labor Market Information Newsletter (2013) 28(39). N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/012300100. pdf on June 10, 2014.
22
Thompson, Taneka. “National Exam Results Worsen.” The Nassau Guardian. August 16, 2013. 23 Labor Market Information Newsletter (2013) 28(39). N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/012300100. pdfon June 10, 2014. 24 Thompson, Taneka. “National Exam Results Worsen.” The Nassau Guardian. August 16, 2013. 25 Labor Market Information Newsletter (2013) 28(39).
11
Physics A
Combined Science
B
Subject
C Chemistry
D E
Biology
F G UnclassiLied
Mathematics
Absent 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Percentage of Students Figure 4 - 2013 BGCSE Results
2013 COB Graduates Business 15%
Communication and Creative Arts
21%
Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute
14%
4% 8% 11%
Education Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Sciences and Technology
27%
Social Sciences
Figure 5 - 2013 COB Graduates by Major
12
For the entire Bahamas the number
teams to tackle issues facing the Bahamas.
of Bahamians employed in manufacturing,
The design project topics they had to
communications, construction, utilities,
choose from were “Revolutionising the
agriculture and fisheries accounted for 27%
Junkanoo experience using STEM” and
of the labour force in 2008 and 24% in
“Revitalising our Coral Reefs using STEM”.
2012.26, 27 Hence, over the course of 4 years
Outside of the design project they had been
there has been a decline in the number of
working in technical streams in the areas of
people working within technical fields. Not
Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical
enough young people in our generation are
Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil
entering these fields to fill these gaps. The
Engineering, Computer Science and
opportunities in STEM are there and the
Electrical Engineering. Design teams had
need is great.
students from each stream and they
We believe that initiatives through
worked together to tackle the issues and
organizations like Bahamas Engineering &
come up with a technical solution. Ideas
Technology Advancement (BETA), Bahamas
varied significantly. Some teams thought to
Society of Engineers (BSE), Lyford Cay
use alternate lightweight materials for
Foundation’s FOCUS (Forward, Onward to
Junkanoo costumes to tackle the issue of
College, Upward to Success) and others can
heavy costumes and slow Junkanoo teams.
help provide students with a deeper
Others looked at specific kinds of bio-filters
understanding of mathematics and science
to remove harmful chemicals and debris
through real-world problem-solving
that may affect the coral reefs. This project-
activities.
based learning had students thinking
At the 2014 BETA Camp, students
‘outside of the box’ and led them to
ages 11-14 worked in multi-disciplinary
develop skills in research, teamwork, mathematics and problem-solving. These
alternate teaching methods help young
Employed Persons by Sex and Industrial Group: 2008. (2008) N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/04003 0300.pdf on June 11, 2014. 27 Employed Persons by Sex and Industrial Group: 2012. (2012) N. Department of Statistics of The Bahamas. Retrieved from http://statistics.bahamas.gov.bs/download/08758 7900.pdf on June 11, 2014. 26
people get excited about learning and excited about STEM in general because they can see how it can impact the things that they care about.
13
Employed Persons by Industry 60,000
Total Number
50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000
2007
0
2008 2012
Industry Figure 6 - Employed Persons in the Bahamas by Industry
14
Similarly, the 2014 FOCUS camp
Ultimately, we must help students
utilizes project-based learning and their
foster an appreciation and respect for
students in grades 7 and 8 learned about
mathematics and science through hands-on
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and
problem-solving. This will change their
used it to design a more efficient bus
standards of learning in a positive way at a
system for New Providence. BSE has begun
young age. By fostering this interest early
an internship program to allow students at
we can grow and develop future engineers
COB and other post-secondary institutions
and STEM professionals that will move our
to work hands-on with professionals in the
country forward, upward and onward:
technical fields.
together.
But STEM can be so much more than that. We can take the ideas in the classroom and put them into action. Take the Hope Town Primary School, a
Trenicka Rolle, president of BETA, was born
registered Eco-school and a member of
and raised in Freeport, Grand Bahama. An
Sandwatch, a UNESCO programme; the
active member the National Society of Black
students of this school have used STEM to
Engineers, she has a bachelor’s degree in
make a real impact. In 2005 a local beach
Biomedical Engineering and a master’s degree
was damaged by hurricanes and was later
in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. She
rebuilt using sand from the ocean floor.
can be contacted at trenicka.rolle@gmail.com.
However the beach was still at risk from future hurricanes. The students decided to plant ‘sea oats’, a type of dune grass, along
D’André Wilson-Ihejirika, vice-president of
the coast. When hurricanes hit in 2011, the
BETA, moved to Canada in 2006 to pursue her
beach stayed in tact and the sand held in
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical
place.28 This is a great example of ecology
engineering. Her career has spanned the
and coastal engineering knowledge applied
financial, research, non-profit and energy
to a real-world solution.
sectors and she currently works as a project development engineer in the Canadian Oil
sands. She can be contacted at
Alhendawi, Ahmad.“Why young people are key to tackling climate change.” World Economic Forum. July 14, 2014.
28
dwilson@brainstemalliance.com.
15
On Street Harassment, or, Why I Don’t Appreciate Being Beckoned Like a Dog Gabrielle Misiewicz
I am heading west on Shirley Street,
followed me there to look at me again. I am
on foot; a passing car slows down and I can
at a church function and leave the hall to
see the driver ogling me in his side mirror. I
get water from the cooler outside. At the
am heading east on Shirley Street, on foot,
cooler a young man walks up to introduce
and the driver of a truck slows down so
himself and ask for my name. He reaches
that I will hear his lecherous comment
for my hand and kisses the top of it,
toward me; this is immediately followed by
princess-style, then pulls me to him to
whistles and “seeks” from the 3 or 4 men
whisper in my ear; the whisper turns into
sitting in the truck bed. I am running on the
an exploratory tongue and I pull away
Eastern Road, heading toward Montagu, and
immediately and half-run back inside.
a car honks beside me. I turn to look,
I could go on, and on, and on, listing
thinking that I will see a friendly or familiar
personal experiences of harassment and
face, and am greeted instead by the leering
intrusion that happen every day in New
stare of the male driver; I turn away quickly,
Providence and when I visit other islands.
wishing I had never looked in the first place.
This has little or nothing to do with me.
I am driving east, past Goodman’s Bay; a
Yes, I am an attractive woman, and was a
police officer pulls me over, ostensibly to
pretty girl, but I like to joke with friends
reprimand or ticket me. He tells me that
that this attention is really all because I have
“eating-an-apple-while-driving” is illegal, but
a vagina. All of my female friends and family
I soon learn that he really only wanted my
experience the same thing. I am sure that if
name and number. I am shopping in the
I asked, every woman and girl I know would
grocery store in Marsh Harbour, and I
have enough stories to fill a book, and
sense one of the male workers stacking the
altogether we would fill volumes. I could
shelves ogling me as I debate the kind of
call it the Encyclopaedia of Harassment in
dried beans I would like to buy. When I see
The Bahamas. There would be so many
him in the water aisle I realise that he
ways I could organise it: by island, male or
16
female age group, on the street versus
sexualised, held, owned. It does not matter
inside, professional versus blue collar men,
what I think or how I may feel as a result of
club versus house party, you get the idea.
their actions; these men and boys believe
Sadly, frustratingly, infuriatingly, this is part
they are entitled to share their opinion with
of our lives here. Many experiences of
me because I exist as much for their
harassment blur into one. We have learned
service, entertainment and pleasure as I do
to let the comments and gestures roll off
for myself, if not more so. Their overtures
our skin so that we can move on with our
contribute to and reinforce this
school work, office work, errands,
understanding of the relationship between
conversations, driving, exercising, girls’
men and women. They are also the result of
night, even worship experience. And it
the Bahamian construction of masculinity,29
matters little if we are alone or with other
which dictates, among other things, the
female friends. It is not uncommon for me
ways that men believe they must behave
to be out with a close friend, on a day or
around other men and women in order to
evening we plan to catch up with one
be taken seriously as men. These overtures
another, and have a male interrupt us. Such
are a way for men to announce their
was the case one evening at Arawak Cay,
masculinity to me and whoever might be
when two men completely took over a
around to witness their grunts, “seeks”, lip-
dinner date because they sat down at our
licking, and other sexual comments and
table and would not leave my friend and I to
gestures. Regardless of whether or not I
eat in peace.
will respond positively, the show has been
This is not an essay whining about the male attention that I receive. In fact,
there are ways for strangers to compliment
29
To read more on masculinity in the Bahamian context, refer to: - Bethel, Nicolette. “Engendering the Bahamas: A Gendered Examination of Bahamian Nation Making, or National Identity and Gender in the Bahamian Context.” College of The Bahamas Research Journal XIII. 2003. - Gaskins, Joey. “So, About that Bahamas National Average: Anti-Intellectualism, Masculinity and the Making of Ignorance.” The Bahamas Weekly. August 17, 2014. - Wells, Erica. “New Documentary Explores Masculinity and Manhood” The Nassau Guardian. August 31, 2013.
me without making me feel dirty, objectified and uncomfortable. Rather, these aggressive and intrusive overtures reflect an underlying problem, an even more sinister issue than uncouth and inconsiderate Bahamian boys and men. They are the result of a particular understanding of women as objects to be
17
performed: they are the alpha Bahamian
respect that we receive when we have one.
male.
The solution, however, is not as simple as a The issue goes deeper still. It does
church or town meeting where men pledge
not take much work to connect the
not to behave that way anymore (let’s not
ideology behind this kind of harassment to
even pretend that we can depend on our
the one that allows young and old men to
government to lead the change here). As I
abuse their wives and girlfriends, and to
have pointed out, this harassment is
joke about such abuse in as high an office as
symptomatic of a widespread ideology and a
the House of Parliament, and worse still,
particular power relationship between men
have this joke met with laughter rather than
and women in our country, one that
castigation. This same understanding of
essentially requires some kind of socio-
women allows men to rape their wives,
cultural revolution to be overturned. This
girlfriends or strangers, and to murder their
sounds overwhelming, true, but we can all
wives and girlfriends when they divorce or
do something to help.
break up. This understanding is manifest in
It begins, first of all, with
smaller ways too. For example, some men,
acknowledging that every manifestation of
whose pride is hurt immeasurably when I
disrespect against women is a problem,
ignore them or refuse to give my name or
even something like street harassment. In
number, insult me further by cussing me
fact, it is such a common occurrence that
out, or making mean or ridiculous
many women and girls – much less men and
comments – like the fact that I must be a
boys – are not even aware that it is a
lesbian, because clearly that is the only
problem. The attention starts when we are
logical reason I would have no interest in
so young30 that many of us either believe it
them.
is normal or become desensitised to it so The harassment needs to stop. It is
that we do not think about its effects on
absolutely unacceptable for me and other
our personal lives and our community. For
Bahamian females to feel nervous,
some of us, it takes leaving home to go on
uncomfortable or afraid in the course of
holiday in Barbados, to university in the U.S.
our daily lives. We should be able to leave
or Canada, or on a business trip to the
our homes without a male escort and be
I can’t remember when I started receiving this kind of attention, but one of my friends said that she was 11 years old!
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assured of the same kind of privacy and
18
Netherlands to realise that constant
surprised because I am pretty; some have
harassment is not the natural order of
even suggested that I be grateful because
things. Some victims of harassment may feel
the person was paying me a (twisted)
intuitively that it is wrong; we need to
compliment. Maybe it is because they do
affirm that feeling for them and educate
not have to experience that total body
everyone else, including the perpetrators.
revulsion, that nervous uncertainty, that
There also needs to be a discussion
desire to just flip the perpetrator off, or the
of how this culture is symptomatic of an
possibility of these overtures hanging over
ideology that is negatively affecting all of us.
their every day, but the men do not seem
Male readers, refuse to let the men and
to understand how awful it really is.
boys that you know get away with
Perhaps now male readers can imagine it a
derogatory and demeaning comments about
little better, and now that you can, you can
women and girls, whether or not they are
try to empathise with me and other
present, and whether or not the person
women. This is not a minor issue, it is not
would make those comments if they were.
my personal problem, and we all need to
Women cannot be the only ones fighting
work on its resolution.
for our rights and protection; in order for there to be lasting change, there must be a community effort. We also need to hold our government accountable for protecting
Gabrielle is an art lover with special affection
the lives of all Bahamians, and we should
for music and writing. Presently, she is pursuing
support all efforts to do so, across political,
a master’s degree in ethnomusicology at
religious, or other dividing lines.
Wesleyan University. Her email address is gmisiewicz@gmail.com.
I am so tired of the complacency surrounding this issue. When I bring it up to men that I know well, and sometimes to those I have just met, the response is some combination of the following: to laugh the incident off; to make excuses about the person not knowing better, or not meaning any harm; to tell me I should not be
19
Violence Against Women and the Responsibility of the State Marion Bethel
Violence against women has been
There is, nonetheless, extensive ground still
described as “one of the most pervasive and
to cover in creating a social, cultural and
systemic human rights violations in the
political environment focussed on the
world.”31 Kofi Annan, former Secretary
prevention, elimination and zero tolerance
General of the United Nations, emphatically
of violence against women.
states, “violence against women is perhaps the
Women have a right to live free from
most shameful human rights violation. And it is
violence in our private and public lives. This
perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no
freedom from violence is our inalienable,
boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As
indivisible and universal human right. The
long as it continues, we cannot claim to be
preservation of this right is a strong
making real progress towards equality,
determinant of the quality of our lives,
32
development and peace”.
physically, psychologically, emotionally,
Preventing and ending violence against
sexually and economically. Article 5 of the
women and girls is one of the most serious
Constitution of The Bahamas addresses the
challenges for The Bahamas. Women in The
fundamental right to life, liberty and security
Bahamas and the Crisis Centre under the
of the person and, in my view, women’s
leadership of Dr. Sandra Dean-‐Patterson
right to live free from violence.
have advocated over many years to keep
Supportive and effective intervention
this issue as a priority on our national
of trained personnel and family members
agenda. As a result of this advocacy, there
after the violence is critical, but what is
has been considerable progress particularly
needed are systematic and sustained
in the area of legislative and service
strategies to prevent and eradicate the
responses for the survivors of violence.
violence. This prevention and eradication is
a national obligation to which The Bahamas,
31
as a member State of the United Nations,
Lara Fergus. Prevention of violence against women and girls, Background Paper for UN Women, Expert Group Meeting, Thailand, Sept. 2012 p. 5. 32 Press Release, SG/SM/6919/WOM/1113 International Women’s Day, March 8, 1992.
the Organization of American States and CARICOM, has committed itself in the
22
ratification of specific international and
likely to result in, physical, sexual or
regional Conventions, Declarations or
psychological harm or suffering to women [or
Platforms of Action. The State has a
girls], including threats of such acts, coercion or
continuous responsibility not only to uphold
arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
the right of women to be free of violence
occurring in public or private life. Violence against women shall be
but a duty to prevent and eliminate violence
understood to encompass, but not be limited to:
against women. It was, therefore, a mockery of the human rights and hard won
a) Physical, sexual and psychological
gains of Bahamian women on February 20,
violence occurring in the family, including
2014 when Members of the House of
battering, sexual abuse of female children
Assembly, the legislative body of the
in the household, dowryrelated violence,
country, entertained and shared in the Hon.
marital rape, female genital mutilations
Leslie Miller’s graphic “joke” concerning
and other traditional practices harmful to
intimate partner violence. The event was,
women and girls, nonspousal violence
moreover, a derision of women’s continuing
and violence related to exploitation;
struggle in regard to violence against women, in particular, and systemic gender
b) Physical, sexual and psychological
inequality, in general. Indeed, this
violence occurring within the general
parliamentary travesty disclosed the
community, including rape, sexual abuse,
hollowness, superficiality and inadequacy of
sexual harassment and intimidation at
the State’s responses, particularly in the
work, in educational institutions and
area of policy, social and cultural
elsewhere, trafficking in women and girls,
programmes, to address gender-‐based
and forced prostitution of women and
violence and inequality.
sexual exploitation of girls;
The United Nations General Assembly defined violence against women
c) Physical, sexual and psychological
under the UN Declaration on the
violence perpetrated or condoned by the
Elimination of Violence Against Women
State, wherever it occurs.”
(DEVAW) 1993 in Article 2 as follows: Article 3 of DEVAW states that
Violence against women and girls is “any act
“women are entitled to the equal enjoyment
of genderbased violence that results in, or is
23
and protection of all human rights and
against Women acceded to in 1993
fundamental freedoms in the political,
(CEDAW) and its later Resolutions &
economic, social, cultural, civil or any other
General Recommendations; and
field”.
b) The 1994 InterAmerican Convention on Article 4 of DEVAW states that
the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication
“States should condemn violence against
of Violence Against Women ratified in
women and should not invoke any custom,
1995.
tradition or religious consideration to avoid their
The Bahamas is bound by these two
obligations with respect to its elimination. States
treaties to introduce legal and policy
should pursue by all appropriate means and
changes to prevent, punish and end violence
without delay a policy of eliminating violence
against women. CARICOM countries have
against women.”
ratified these two Conventions. Both
DEVAW was the first international
Conventions recognize that violence against
human rights instrument to address
women constitutes a violation of human
violence against women specifically. The
rights and is a form of gender-‐based
Bahamas is a party to this UN Declaration
discrimination. Both Conventions utilize the
by simply being a member of the United
definition of gender–based violence as set
Nations. This Declaration (similar to
forth in DEVAW.
Platforms & Resolutions that result from
Further, The Bahamas is a signatory to
international meetings), while not binding
the 2003 Caribbean Community
on The Bahamas, affirms the member
(CARICOM) Gender Mainstreaming
States’ commitment to women’s human
Strategies. This Platform of Action concerns
rights and establishes a working framework
the process of developing policies and
for countries to fulfil their obligations under
programmes that are gender-‐sensitive and
a relevant treaty or convention.
equitable and lead towards gender equality
The Bahamas Government has ratified
and the positive transformation of gender
or acceded to the following international
relations. It refers categorically to “the right
Conventions that address the issue of
of all to live free of violence and the fear of
violence against women:
violence, in particular, the right of women and
a) The 1979 UN Convention on the
girls to be free of genderbased violence,
Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
24
especially sexual violence”.33
Secretary General of 2006, a human rights
The State has primary responsibility
based analysis of the causes of violence
for the prevention and elimination of
against women and girls is stated as follows:
gender-‐based violence in such areas as legislation, the criminal justice sector,
The central premise of the analysis is
economic and social policies, health and
that the specific causes of such violence and the
social services, school curriculum, public
factors that increase the risk of its occurrence
education and awareness. It has the capacity
are grounded in the broader context of systemic
and mechanisms to co-‐ordinate all sectors
gender-based discrimination against women
of society such as schools, local
and other forms of subordination. Such violence
communities, health & social welfare
is a manifestation of the historically unequal
agencies, the media, churches, corporations
power relations between women and men
and international agencies, in addressing
reflected in both public and private life. Historically, gender roles – the socially
successfully the issue. There has, however, to be a political will on the part of the
constructed roles of women and men – have
Government that is focussed, strategic and
been ordered hierarchically, with men exercising
committed to the goal of prevention and
power and control over women. Male
elimination of violence against women. No
dominance and female subordination have both
doubt, such a political will has to crystallize
ideological and material bases. Patriarchy has
around the sustained action of a women’s
been entrenched in social and cultural norms,
movement that not only has a clear
institutionalized in the law and political
understanding of the causes of violence
structure and embedded in local and global
against women and girls but also a clarity in
economies. It has also been ingrained in formal
regard to its own power to demand that
ideologies and in public discourse. Patriarchy
the State exercise its political will in this
restricts women’s choices but does not render
regard.
women powerless, as evidenced by the existence of women’s movements and
In the In-‐Depth Study on All Forms of
successful claims by women for their rights.34
Violence against Women: Report of the
Plan of Action to 2005: Framework for Mainstreaming Gender Into key CARICOM Programmes, Prepared for the CARICOM Secretariat by Andaiye 2003. p.14.
33
UN General Assembly In-‐Depth Study. Ibid. p. 27-‐28.
34
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I draw to the attention of the
February 20, 2014, this Committee’s first
Members of the House of Assembly, the
task might be to build its capacity through a
work of the InterParliamentary Union
profound understanding and education of
(IPU) on violence against women. The IPU
the causes of violence against women.
is the international organization of
There are many resources available in the
Parliaments established in 1889. It supports
wider community to facilitate such
the work of the United Nations and
understanding. Further, the IPU Report
co-‐operates with regional
itself lays out a systematic plan of action for
inter-‐parliamentary organizations and
the work of a parliamentary committee in
non-‐governmental organizations. In 2008 at
preventing and eliminating violence against
an international conference, A
women. Finally, I refer us to The World Health
Parliamentary Response to Violence Against Women, held in Geneva, the IPU identified
Organization Report entitled Violence
key elements and strategies for the
Prevention: The Evidence (2010) that states
prevention of violence against women. One
as follows: Despite the fact that violence has always
of the six priorities for parliamentarians to
been present, the world does not have to
consider is as follows:
accept it an inevitable part of the human
Parliamentarians must build their parliament’s capacities to take action to put an
condition. [...] Violence can be prevented. This
end to violence against women. They should
is not an article of faith, but a statement based
look at what parliamentary mechanisms can be
on evidence.36
developed to support work on violence against women. The establishment of a specific parliamentary committee on violence against
Marion Bethel is a poet, short story writer,
women could be an option.”35
essayist and attorney. A graduate of Cambridge University, she has been working as an attorney
I strongly urge that a Parliamentary Committee be convened for the specific
since 1986. This article was written April 9,
purpose of addressing the issue of
2014, and abridged with her permission for
prevention and elimination of violence
inclusion in this magazine.
against women. In light of the event of
35
Violence Prevention: The Evidence (2010) The World health Organization p. 3-‐4
36
IPU Overview, p.6
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Sine Larva Tony Williams
Sure The Bahamas is infamous for its sun, sand and sea, but I'm more interested in what we as Bahamians see on a daily basis. This series of photos portrays the way of life that we as Bahamians see everyday, but usually overlook, from the people who work tirelessly in Potter’s Cay to the look on a child’s face while singing the national anthem. Sine Larva, the name of this series, is Latin for “without a mask.” This perfectly describes the way my photographs remove the bright and colourful disguise that tourism uses to depict everything in our lives.
Born and raised in The Bahamas, Tony Williams studied Film and Media Production at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Even though he does videography full time, he also loves to indulge in street photography in his free time. He can be contacted at tonywilliams823@gmail.com
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