THE EDITOR, Sir: THE NATION is now reeling from a high incidence of violence, which permeates every nook and cranny. This violence unfolds in varied circumstances - domestic, extra-judicial killings, vigilante justice, crimes of passion, etc.
At the same time, every day we read condemnatory letters in the print media, and are bombarded by sanctimonious callers on radio talk shows while media practitioners take the moral high ground most times. But, when the violence is of a different nature, they become deafeningly silent, or are disingenuous in their half-hearted reactions.
I am talking about violence against gay Jamaicans and Jamaicans suspected of being gay. The media in Jamaica are insensitive to gay people and victims of homophobic related violence. Their coverage of such is invariably done in a matter-of-fact manner, and sometimes mockingly.
DIFFERENT MEANING
Where are the newspaper articles, radio and television programmes condemning violence against gays? What we have are radio stations rotating discs, which direct the nation to beat and kill gay people, and tabloids which report the beatings of gay with much cynicism. Is it that violence against gays has a different name and meaning? No. It doesn't. It means then, that the media are exhibiting a great deal of double standard and hypocrisy.
Based on personal experiences and media reports, it is clear that gay people are not a part of 'one people'. Because, under the guise of freedom of expression, the Jamaican media have indirectly contributed to violence against gay people.
I am, etc.,
HERMES APHRODITE
hermes_aphrodite@
hotmail.com
Kingston 5
