THE EDITOR, Sir:I MUST congratulate Joan Grant-Cummings on her article in the Flair on August 16, in regard to the current debate on the statement 'skimpy dressing' made by Bishop Herro Blair. To say that it perpetuates more violence against women, I can't agree. This
gentleman is the one who in his capacity as Ombudsman, seeks to bring peace among the oppressed and dispossessed of our country.
Bishop Blair should know that the mode of dress, in my opinion, is not the uppermost thing in the mind of a rapist, even as age is also not a factor. While some might be driven through lust, I believe a great many of them (rapists) act out of a sick distorted mind.
While I agree that we live in a free society and therefore one is at liberty to wear and do as he/she pleases, common decency should be the hallmark of every woman. Page 2 and 3 of the Flair tells me that some young women are suffering from low self-esteem and therefore cannot put a value on themselves. Others, clearly, wear those through plain ignorance and need help and guidance in how to dress
appropriately for the public.
To get back to Bishop Blair, his obvious pleasure of having the authority to be able to cast off a young lady as being
inappropriately dressed to come into his church tells me as a shepherd, he certainly was not practising what he preaches. Is this what Jesus would do? He needs to ask himself. I would refer him to St. John 8:3-11 where the woman was caught in adultery and dragged before Jesus.
RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION
In their righteous indignation and obvious joy at being able finally to catch this woman red-handed, so to speak, they were hoping that Jesus would have sided with them in stoning this woman to death. The story is well known. Jesus said "he that is without sin cast the first stone". Of course they all left Him with the woman. He in turn with love told her to clean up her act. He gave her a second chance, a chance that we all need at some time.
A potential 'soul' was callously thrown out in the cold when Bishop Blair told that young lady she couldn't come into his church because she dared to wear what she had. He failed to see perhaps the desperation that drove her to come, "Just as you are, seeking peace for her soul in a place where she least expected to be turned away. What a pity Bishop Blair, but as you say, it's your church. If you had maybe seen it as a place of refuge where God meets with souls such as that lady...
To the young lady take comfort in knowing that others do care. Don't ever get so discouraged that you lose hope.
I am, etc.,
DESRENE GLENN
Daytona
Greater Portmore
