Open up your minds
published: Wednesday | May 14, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS dismayed and embarrassed (but unfortunately not surprised) to read of the absolutely brutish and bullyish behaviour that Staceyann Chin was treated with at a recent performance. It is high time that Jamaicans start to open their minds and accept that people vary in their sexual preferences and activities.
Beyond the idea of accepting people's sexuality as is, there is also the basic human right to allow freedom of expression. DYCR was allowed to speak his mind, which I'm sure many in the audience disagreed with. At the very least, the same level of respect should have been given to Ms. Chin.
Even if you disagree with what is being said, allow people the space to express themselves - that is the whole point of poetry! To harass the woman to the point of tears, especially considering the poem she was sharing was both traumatic and very personal, is totally unforgivable.
