The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE public’s reaction to physical and verbal conflict between parliamentarians will frame socio-cultural values in the country going forward, according to sociologist Joey Gaskins Jr.

Yesterday, the college community expressed shock and disappointment over reports that FNM deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner slapped PLP MP Dr Andre Rollins in the House of Assembly.

Mr Gaskins, a columnist and part-time lecturer at the College of the Bahamas, said the incident has raised critical issues over the concept of masculinity and femininity in the political sphere.

He said: “It can be an interesting litmus test for Bahamian society and the cultural values that we hold near and dear to us in gender relations. I think the tone that the incident is going to take on will be directly related to how we understand male, female, masculine and feminine relations and how we interact with each other.”

He added: “This is a watershed mark that highlights some of the values of our culture.”

On Wednesday, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner explained that she chose to physically defend herself because Dr Rollins did not respond to verbal requests to remove his arm from around her.

Yesterday, both MPs apologised in the House of Assembly for the incident, which has sparked heated debate about gender questions on social media and in the public.

During his apology, Dr Rollins denied that he made lewd or “inappropriate remarks” to Mrs Butler-Turner.

Pointing to the male-dominated political sphere, Mr Gaskins explained that emerging discourse on such incidents will determine future norms.

“This has become an interesting moment in Bahamian political history. In one hand it can be considered as a brilliant and strategic move by Mrs Butler-Turner, a woman who we have primed as a possible political leader, already in executive leadership.

“She could be seen as standing up for herself in a male-dominated role – some people will see this as an assertion of her ability to ‘play with the boys’ and defend herself.

“But on the other hand, it could also be said that we expect a certain level of conduct from both persons and some are very disappointed. But it speaks to the political value of this event.”

Mr Gaskins pointed out that if the Long Island MP had been a man, she would not have been approached in such a personal manner.

He acknowledged that the incident must have been difficult for Dr Rollins to navigate given current gender norms governing interactions between men and women.

Mr Gaskins said: “My first reaction was what’s going on in there? Is this how we expect our political figures to interact with each other?”

“For Rollins, one can say that he’s been emasculated, or that he conducted himself as a true gentleman and as an example in a society where spousal abuse and abuse of women has been on the rise.”

“The meaning events have is how they’re recounted, how the story is told, not just how the media tells it but how it is told and retold in the Bahamian context. That is what is going to shape the kind of values we hold dear as a part of our culture.”

Mr Gaskins noted that it was particularly interesting how the physical dispute had distracted the country from one of the most critical aspects of national development – the 2013/2014 budget debate.