Freddie, your fly is down

Feb 18, 2011 Features / Columnists, Stella Says

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It seems Freddie Kissoon, a fellow columnist at Kaieteur News, does not like to feel neglected.
Freddie has obviously been attempting to get my attention by writing some columns specifically naming me and although I have a list of other topics on which I desire to write (I only write two columns a week, Freddie writes seven), I suppose I am obliged to answer my persistent colleague.
I should start off first by saying that Freddie’s memory must be failing in his old age.
Freddie said in his February 17 column, “Last week, I got a call from Stella asking me to join her for coffee at the Oasis Café. I told her I couldn’t and didn’t want to leave the CD sale that I was at, in Matt’s Record Bar.”
Freddie actually told me he was going to join me for coffee after he finished shopping at his music sale. An hour later, I called Freddie to see if he was still coming and he was so apologetic because he just seemed to remember that he had meat in his car and needed to get it home as soon as possible. In other words, Freddie stood me up.
Freddie now owes me lunch and I intend to make sure it is an expensive one.
Now, on to the gist of Freddie’s columns in which he takes me to task for 1) not addressing the condition of the women’s lock-ups at La Penitence police station, 2) not being more “specific and direct” in my column from February 16 when referring to men in leadership positions who are abusing their wives, and 3) allowing my slip to show.
On point number one concerning the conditions of the women’s lock-ups at La Penitence police station.
This is a matter that has bothered me for a long time and I have intended to write on the topic, I just have not got to it yet (again, I only write two columns a week). However, Freddie should be happy to know that Oluatoyin Alleyne from Stabroek News wrote an in-depth report on this very subject on February 13. But do not be troubled, Freddie dear, I still intend to write on the topic as well.
On to point number two concerning the fact that Freddie believes I should be more “specific and direct” when talking about the abuse meted out to women by their husbands. Freddie said in his column, “You are capable of such courage.”
This statement makes it seem as if I am not employing the courage I possess. Need I remind Freddie that I have been very specific when addressing abuse against women, including the president of the country (August 18, 2010 column).
In fact, Mr. Kissoon would not be able to find anyone in Guyana who writes against domestic violence more than me. I have used this column to wage a war against domestic violence while most of the nation’s columnists have been nearly mute on the topic, and yet my colleague insinuates that I am soft concerning this issue because I was not more specific? Nonsense, Freddie.
Freddie and I have two very different ways of writing. Freddie is very confrontational and contentious.
I can be confrontational, but my disposition at the time and passion on the subject often determines the level of confrontation in my writing. I have no inclination to be a Freddie Kissoon.
The world already has a Freddie Kissoon – and I think one is quite enough. He is his own man and I am my own woman. Freddie will write his columns the way he deems best and I will write mine the way I deem best.
Moreover, Freddie’s argument that my use of words like “leaders of the community,” instead of something more specific is rather weak, since that phrase best defines the collection of alleged abusers to whom I referred in the February 16 column – such as a chief medical officer, a fashion designer and a pastor.
Freddie also felt I should have said, “men in the upper echelons of state power” instead of “upper echelons in society.”
Now this is just nitpicking. Everyone who read my statement knew I was referring to the president and his treatment of the former first lady as well as ministers within the sitting government. I think Freddie just wanted my attention – and now he has accomplished his goal.
I know my colleague means well and is just looking out for my well being. Freddie is concerned that I will turn to the dark side.
He wants to protect me from those whom he believes want to sway me to see the dark as light and the light as dark. Although I appreciate Freddie’s concern, it is also a bit frustrating that he thinks me so gullible that I need to be protected.
I am an adult woman with a mind of my own – and it is a keen mind. Anyone who knows me for longer than five minutes will also know I do not need to be protected from those who would want to use me for their own agendas, because I would never allow myself to be put in such a position.
If Freddie had not stood me up for coffee last week, perhaps he would have known that as well.
Let us continue on to point number three in which Freddie informs me that my slip is showing. Again, Freddie could not be more wrong, because Stella Ramsaroop wears pants 99.9 percent of the time.
No hard feeling though. We all make mistakes – even the mighty Freddie Kissoon.
However, being the good friend that I am, I feel it necessary to inform Freddie that he had better check quickly because his fly is down.
Email: [email protected]

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