Latest update April 4th, 2025 6:13 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Alcohol at Feminition is a non-issue

May 31, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Stella Ramsaroop in her “Stella Says” column on Sunday May 29th, titled, “Serving alcohol at Feminition is like asking a woman to kiss a cutlass” makes a vacuous point, and in so doing, she has undermined the free choice of women.
One gets the impression that Stella is not up-to-date on women’s issues.
In Feminist discourse, a woman wants equality of being, and this assumes the ‘freedom’ to choose. For example, it is the woman’s right to abort the baby; for after all it is her body. Why must a man be allowed to drink indiscriminately, and not a woman? This is so for all facets of life.
When a woman is curtailed in manners, dress, activities etc., she considers it gender discrimination, even if, many feel it is an overt attempt to shield her. She wants to shield herself. So alcohol at Feminition is really a non- issue.
It is also a non-issue because alcohol is not debarred from women in Guyana.
Some may call it moral laxity, but women here can access the ‘Sheriff Street Joints,’ the ‘Chutney, Rap and Reggae Super Concerts’ and just about indulge and imbibe whenever and wherever they want. There is a feeling of social elevation for many of them in so doing.
So in attempting to curb this desire (albeit for some, it is courting danger), they can feel inferior-they want it, and will have it. So yes, one can empathize with Stella. She really wants to help, and she is helping, but in this case, it might be better to ask how women in Guyana view the ‘drinking’ business.
The second point about the corollary of ‘drinking’ and ‘abuse’ must be elucidated a bit clearer.
The drinking binges by men, that in all likelihood redound in their battering of women is a fact of life. But one cannot understand how any kind of prohibition of alcohol at Feminition was/is going to undermine or send mixed messages regarding this mores in Guyana. In fact alcohol (substance abuse on the whole) has been responsible for many other evils as well.
In addition to spousal (namely women) abuse, one can add children abuse, accidents victims etc. However, take into consideration the ‘freedom to access’ which is so normal in Guyana. Many countries do not allow children under 16 to purchase any kind of alcoholic beverage whatsoever. Also, in Guyana, many women are feeling the ‘need to catch up’ and be ‘modern’ and so they resort to the ‘substance’ and in so doing (many times, it results in their own demise.
In closing, it is good that Stella highlighted the collective and permanent benefits of Feminition. It has already inspired women to seek empowerment, and this is where the real struggle is. It is only when women can be valued equally as men that the problem of their abuse will start to be seriously combated.
This empowerment will come when ‘earning power’ comes their way, either via education or through special skills. After all ‘money talks’ and this is why men ‘show off’ and ‘abuse’ at will. Women are prized possessions, and they must be legally and socially protected.
Brain Azore

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 31st, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Saints and GTI dominate as YBG Georgetown Regional Conference continues

Saints and GTI dominate as YBG Georgetown Regional Conference...

Apr 04, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- The Georgetown Regional Conference continued in thrilling fashion on Wednesday at the National Gymnasium hardcourt, with dominant performances from Saints Stanislaus and Government...
Read More
Carty misses ton, Hamilton (80) sets up tense battle as Harpy Eagles speed ace Alimohamed bags 5

Carty misses ton, Hamilton (80) sets up tense...

Apr 04, 2025

Annandale Sec’ dominates latest fixtures in Region #4 leg of the Jagan Memorial Windball Competition

Annandale Sec’ dominates latest fixtures in...

Apr 04, 2025

GPF FC to tackle Slingerz tomorrow as GFF Elite League Season VII continues

GPF FC to tackle Slingerz tomorrow as GFF Elite...

Apr 04, 2025

Permaul’s Trading & Distribution joins forces for the 2025 O40s T20 tournament

Permaul’s Trading & Distribution joins...

Apr 04, 2025

All set for Rotary Club of NA Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter Secondary School Tapeball Cricket competition final and semifinal today

All set for Rotary Club of NA Childhood Obesity...

Apr 04, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • The reciprocal tariffs

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has once again proven his talent for making the indefensible... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]