EDITOR, The Tribune.
I was disappointed – but not surprised – to hear a pastor identify the “elitist nature” of the Yes Campaign as one of the reasons for the failed referendum on gender equality.
As a member of the non-elite class, I want to thank Lady Wilson and Lynn Holowesko and all the men and women who worked tirelessly to deepen our democracy by ending gender discrimination in The Bahamas.
There was once a time when successful people were held up as role models in our country, especially those who came from humble origins or who conquered hardship, as in the case of Lady Wilson and Mrs Holowesko.
Come to think of it, there was once a time when pastors preached Love and opposed Discrimination.
There are multi reasons why the referendum failed and for the dismal voter turnout.
A key cause was the clergymen who created confusion and played on the emotions and insecurities of a block of people who, sadly, do not possess the ability to reason for themselves.
But you know what? Gays are still going to live together as man and wife if they choose to. And Bahamian families will still be torn apart and young people traumatised because of gender discrimination.
Children born out of wedlock will still have more rights than children born through marriage. What, Dear “No” Pastors, is the message here?
Families will continue to scrimp and save and sacrifice to send their children away to college and university or on scholarship and a growing number of young people won’t return home to an intolerant and unjust society.
The brain drain will continue.
We will continue to be grouped with countries such as Iraq, Iran, Swaziland, Burundi, Kuwait and Malaysia – out of step with the U.N. mandate that “Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”
Where is the victory?
ATHENA DAMIANOS
Nassau,
June 22, 2016.
Comments
hallmark 7 years, 10 months ago
As a Bahamian who "possess the ability to reason for myself" and has lived in the Bahamas all of my life and has spoken to many students, at NO time have I ever heard a single ONE of them complain that they "won't return home to an intolerant and unjust society." What they DID say is that they CAN'T return home because there are no JOBS available. So stop lying and being insulting.
ohdrap4 7 years, 9 months ago
that is the new fallacy, the insult fallacy.
i used to know a woman, now deceased, who complained that her children , born of an american husband and born in the bahamas, could not become bahamians and left the country and so she had no help in the old age.
the writer is entitled to her opinion, I m not sure if she is right or wrong.
But i am sure that when you call her a liar, you are not only being insulting, but failing in your 'ability to reason for yourself'..
Economist 7 years, 9 months ago
It is all part of our "intolerant society". It is called "attitude". Our attitude towards young educated Bahamians when they return is to try to put them down and in their place, just like we have with the Referendum.
The young, bright and educated Bahamian knows that we will see to it that they don't get the job for which they are qualified and that, if they do get the job, we will spend all our time frustrating them and trying to put them down and in" their place".
In effect, they can't return home because of our intolerant society.
Zakary 7 years, 9 months ago
You're giving a small Church grouping too much credit. Truth be told, there is no victory in much to be done in this country, especially in the hands of a certain Government. The referendum is gone now.
hallmark 7 years, 9 months ago
You can spin it all you want to justify your intolerance. Tell her produce the empirical data to show that "a growing number of young people won’t return home to an intolerant and unjust society." And as I have been saying all along, the GOVERNMENTS of the Bahamas have been the BIGGEST cause of inequality, injustice and intolerance in the Bahamas.
ohdrap4 7 years, 9 months ago
I did not realize you need to produce empirical data to write a letter to a newspaper. Gee, empirical data is not even required for government work around here.
Perhaps you should hold your self to your own requirement and show your empirical data 'not one student ever ' remained in exile because of an intolerant society.
That is a plausible reason, and is not the only reason. Likely the most common is a job prospect.
the recent insert in the Tribune had testimonials of persons treated with inequality and intolerance by virtue of the referendum issues.
as we debate, today children born to married bahamian women and foreign fathers have to pay for and obtain a belonger's permit to register for school. This means 18 years of troubke and expense for these bahamians.
themessenger 7 years, 9 months ago
@onarap4, never argue with an idiot, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 9 months ago
And just who does this Athena Damianos think she is to pass judgement on the leadership of the faith of others??!! Clearly sore losers like her just don't have it within themselves to accept the outcome of our country's democratic processes. Get over it Ms. Damianos.....the Bahamian people have loudly spoken with their majority voice at the ballot box....it was their right to do so and they have done so! Whining when you don't get your way is not a very becoming trait.
juju 7 years, 9 months ago
Yep! We have you number too MR mudda take sic
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 9 months ago
Does this mean I should have a 12 gauge 00 buckshot or 30-30 aught loaded and waiting 24/7 for you to step foot anywhere on my property? I certainly hope not!
banker 7 years, 9 months ago
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him think.
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