Gumelemi Issue 2

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

gumelemimagazine.tumblr.com

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!

30

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

25

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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