“Thou hypocrite, cast out the beam of thine own eyes”

Jan 29, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Permit me to respond to the article in Stabroek News, January 26, 2017 by Clement Rohee “Where were the women on Saturday? Yes, where were they? I feel that an appropriate Guyanese saying juxtaposed alongside a biblical exhortation may provide the answer. It na good foh pick up other people fire rage,” and “thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye “ (Matthew 7:5).
Do the women in Guyana need overseas impetus, led by Caucasians to jolt their awareness of what is taking place right in their own part of the world?. If as stated by the writer, almost every issue raised (with very few exceptions) affect women in every Caricom country including Guyana, then pray tell me what have they all done thus far? Do they lack the skills to mobilize and spread awareness, or have they become complacent with their lot?
Are there no local clarions to be sounded? No leaders to spur them into action? A question was also leveled at the respective Guyanese organizations as to their stand on the issue of women’s demands and struggles. It is time that these organizations in whatever form they exist abandon their Houdini acts and become visible and accountable. Incidentally, it is blatantly apparent that these so- called organizations are not in the same book or on the same page as Mr. Rohee hence their displayed inertia and unconcern. Had they been of the same ilk and fervor, then a different picture would have emerged.
In a democracy, demonstrations of any form serve a useful purpose, however this holds true only when clarity of purpose is present. The latest marches and cities across Africa, Asia and Europe the day after Donald Trump was sworn in, was merely a physical exercise in desperate need of a cause. Of poignant note is the fact that the idea of a march, that would bring together women from all walks of life began to surface on social media like yeast in flour, the morning after the election, when it was blatantly apparent that Hilary Clinton did not become America’s first female president, and a loud mouthed sexist, misogynist, xenophobic did.
Initially the event was called the Million Women March, but this had to be quickly abandoned after the three original organizers, all Caucasians were called out for cultural appropriation, as seeming they were guilty of stealing the heritage of the Million Woman March for black women that took place in 1997. Also it was inferred that such a march would also encroach on the famous 1963 I had a Dream March of Martin Luther King Jr. on Washington.
The March was touted as the voice of women, which is somewhat absurd as 42% of women and 62% of non-college educated white women actually voted for Trump. Though not much publicized, men were also invited to join the march against the rising xenophobia, normalization of racism, sexism, misogyny and the hate and division that Donald Trump puts forward as politics. The March is over! The women have been seen and heard?
A critical but opportune question remains: What happens now? Organizers (the females) are now faced with the challenge of how to convey the commitment and anger of a protest into action that produces political change, a goal that has evaded other popular movements. It will be more challenging or discouraging now that the Republicans control the Presidency, the Senate and the House. What says Guyana and other Caricom nations?
The truth be told or the fact be laid bare, opposing Donald Trump calls for focused alertness, and collaborative militancy that is intelligent, targeted and fittingly calibrated. Merely joining in and prematurely promoting the false concerns of a feminist lobby would make it somewhat difficult to embark on a serious resistance movement. Needless to say, this will cause Trump to see his female critics and protesters as agitated hysterics and disregard the concerns of genuinely targeted groups.To my Guyanese women, a word of advice, Look around the environment as far as the eye can see, so much needs changing, so much to set free. Know your right, stay in your light and fight your own fight. To each their own battle!
Yvonne Sam

Latest News

“Thou hypocrite, cast out the beam of thine own eyes”

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens with local teams in...

GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners...

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move...

Three Miles Secondary make clean sweep of Jagan...

National Chess champions off to Trinidad and...

Features/Columnists

Anticipation without preparation

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Access to information should not come to this

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

“Thou hypocrite, cast out the beam of thine own eyes”

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]