07-15-2014, 06:38 AM
Thank you, Westenders, for your well thought out post.
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07-15-2014, 06:38 AM
Thank you, Westenders, for your well thought out post.
07-15-2014, 07:50 AM
the only way for me to use jamaica as a holiday destination is to put on my blinders and enjoy the sea and the food and the tranaquility that gazing at the sea offers me.
i'm not able to move around the way i used to because i just can't bear what i see, hear and observe . . . unimaginable things that i lose sleep over and am powerless to do anything about. so, no moving around for me!! . . . . my need to immerse myself in the culture is overridden by the uglyness all around me . . . am working hard at accepting other countries as my destination also . . . i have admiration for the numerous expats that have the balls to stay long term and not be affected and eaten up by what goes on around them.
07-15-2014, 09:12 AM
I am Jamaican so choice is iffy.I truly feel blessed to be from a country that beautiful. I think many are drawn in and back by the sheer beauty and vibe, like an addiction. What makes the US different from Jamaica for me is not only what happens but worse what is condoned. We dance to songs calling for the death of individuals and we threaten people who stand up on behalf of children . Change can only come from within. The Jamaica I return to doesn't see much that need changing, with pickney fi get lick and battyman must burn. In the US I don't hear for the death of anyone based on sexual preference of the beating of children. When it happens people are generally disgusted and alarmed.
As for religion, most condemn what many Jamaicans do, sleep around. How many kids are born out of wedlock? I get religion, expect for the fact the condemnation is coming from many people who are far from religious. It's not only what done but what people look away from or smile at.
07-15-2014, 10:10 AM
I've questioned returning to JA at times when reading of homophobia, child abuse, murder rate, etc., but think I'm similar to Ohliz (or at least what I interpret from posts here), in that there are many attitudes/beliefs in my own backyard that I strongly disagree with and yet I feel powerless to change them, so if I'm not changing things here, how am I to change things in JA?
Just yesterday I was behind a pickup truck with bumperstickers that made me think "why do we live here?" (the plates were the same county we live in). I won't bother to post the nature of the stickers, b/c I'm not trying to "redirect" this thread. Suffice to say there are opinions, and even laws, that I strongly disagree with here (in the US). I do believe JA has beliefs on the issues above that few in the US hold. I wouldn't expect to see a 10,000+ church-sponsored rally against repeal of anti-buggery law (or Prof. Bain firing) here. So, yes, there are things about JA that trouble me, but the positives of JA and the fact that there are things here at home that trouble me also allow me, presently, to balance it out. Or perhaps just gloss over. Perhaps issues at home are just an excuse to indulge in what I like about JA. I will say that not all Jamaicans I've encountered display ugly attitudes in such areas. Most do seem to, as far as violence against gays goes. However, a few years ago when the former teacher in the Negril area (I think he taught at Petersfield??) had his throat slashed, I had a few conversations that surprised me a bit. The newspapers articles heavily implied that he was gay and even hinted that may have been the motive for his murder. It was headline news, so I'm guessing it must've been in the western edition of the Observer. Anyway I had the paper and discussed it with a few people. Many had "him nastiness get him dead" attitudes but 2 others did not. One guy told me "I don't agree with his lifestyle, but what other people do in private is no concern of mine and no human being should have his throat cut". Another said the former teacher had taught him in high school. He made no comment on the implied sexuality but did say he was sad because he had been a really good teacher and was also well known for his knowledge of natural herbal remedies and it was sad that someone ended his life. That's not exactly an endorsement of JA's rapidly evolving views, but it is not (IMHO) 100% of the people 100% of the time. (07-15-2014, 12:42 AM)booger Wrote: "One could argue addiction isn't a choice either but I also compared race(ism) which is definitely not a choice" Race is a choice? You misunderstood. I compared racism against people to homophobia against people. The "people" in both cases not having a choice in their orientation or race. Was "dear" really necessary?
07-15-2014, 12:57 PM
(07-15-2014, 12:49 AM)macyoder Wrote: "Does it help solve issues of child abuse in Jamaica if I avoid the country?" Standing up, that to me, would mean helping in a shelter, writing letters to an editor - DOING something, not simply avoiding the country. The latter really changes nothing.
07-15-2014, 03:06 PM
Good - hard. and depressing thread.
Until people are more educated, things will stay the same. I have spoken with Jamaicans whom I consider very smart and somewhat worldly until the subject of homophobia comes up. I once argued until I was blue in the face, but could not get a Jamaican to understand that homosexuality and pedophilia are completely different things. I realized that I was arguing with someone who had been orphaned and sexually abuse by a male relative, whom he had to live with, when he was a child . He was convinced that all homosexuals were dangerous for his sons to be around. His traumatic childhood left him believing this - for good reasons. Most of his fellow countrymen support this belief. I was fortunate to be privy to this very sad story - most people wouldnt admit to this or they have blocked the memories. I simply can't imagine how many others have came to these beliefs by such horrible measures. I think if we knew the numbers of children who are sexually abused in Jamaica we WOULD have a hard time booking a trip. However condemning people won't help the situation nor would boycotting. These misconstrued beliefs are far too insidious We may not be much further along but we do have Oprah to thank for bringing childhood sexual abuse into the limelight. My mother grew up in an era where these things were NEVER spoken about and they sure did exist! My Mother spent her lifetime addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs to mask the damages of her own childhood sexual abuse. Most addicts are trying to numb from something - so that, to me, is where the question of choice comes up. No one wakes up and decides to become an addict. Childhood sexual abuse is often generational - it would be normal that a country that was founded with slavery would continue to be rampant with sexual and physical abuse. How do you educate a nation? Its such a hard subject and people are not willing to deal with the topic as it brings up their own personal issues. Jamaica needs an Oprah (or OPRAH Jamaica needs you!) Maybe we should all start writing to her! You gotta love Queen Ifrica for her brave attempts to teach her people
Any change has to come from within, Jamaicans. Every report I have read, every story I have listened to, indicate things are getting worse with the hate, abuse, and violence. We, yes we, Americans think we can change people who think there is nothing wrong with what they do. They introduced sex education and they act as if they were forcing some of the men to be faithful :-).
"I think if we knew the numbers of children who are sexually abused in Jamaica we WOULD have a hard time booking a trip." http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/SHOCKING-Over-7-000-children-sexually-abused-in-last-four-years_11204692
07-15-2014, 03:09 PM
Westender and Ohliz I love the way you guys think and I agree completely with both of you.
Who said ex-pats don't have a problem with any of issues? I have had many discussions with friends about homosexuality and stated the same thing, I dislike hatred against race or sexuality, makes no difference to me. Hate is Hate. I would never kid myself into believing that Jamaican people don't care about child molestation. It's not acceptable there any more than it is here. Not travelling to Jamaica because I don't agree with their issues will never change a thing. Who is going to know why I'm not going??? Pick up a pen and paper and put money where our mouths are....
"Moms 'pimp' girls - Daughters being 'sold' for as low as $500"
http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20081017/news/news1.html RW- Recently, I have been working and in groups focusing on child abuse in Jamaica. Of the 10,000 cases of abuse last year around 5,000 were neglect. We can all agree that Jamaica is a place where many of the men don't know boundaries. Why would you neglect your child and expose them like that? Not taking my kids is not to make a statement to anyone but myself. Try as we might, but Jamaica is for Jamaicans to save. We here might care more than the 100,000 at the anti-gay rally. Did we miss the rally against child abuse, violence, and murder, which way out number gays? |
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