Michael Reckord, ContributorI'd wanted to discuss the PNP leadership race but as soon as Artie and I settled into our verandah chairs the other afternoon, he broached another subject.
"Dads," he said, "you see that Government will be forced to build shelters for battered women this year."
I nodded. "Yes, because last month we ratified the Convention on the Prevention of Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women. I'm very happy about the move."
When Artie raised a questioning eyebrow, I explained that the articles I'd read in the Sunday paper suggested that our women were having a really hard time. Violence against them is on the increase, their unemployment continues to be high, and they are sent to prison when they try drug trafficking to help themselves and their children.
"Sounds like they're helpless victims, right, Dads?" Artie asked.
"You don't think so?"
Artie shrugged. "I think the women of your generation were much more passive than the women of mine are. Young women nowadays feel more in control of their lives."
"Which is why Portia wants to take control of her party and the country, eh?"
"I wasn't thinking of Portia. She's a special case. I'm saying today's average young woman is more assertive than the articles on Sunday suggest. You'll agree when you hear this interview I had with Sister A., as I shall call her, who lives near the Yallahs ford in St. Thomas."
He pressed the Play button on his ever-present tape recorder.
Artie: So you're delighted that Jamaica has signed on to the Convention, Sister A.?
Sis: Yes, sar.
Artie: Your gentleman abuses you?
Sis: Yes, sar, an de newspaper seh if mi is abused me can get free house.
Artie: I don't know about a free house, but the Government will have to provide abused women with free shelter.
Sis: For any sort of abuse, sar?
Artie: What sort do you suffer?
Sis: Well, Tom-Tom touch me an pinch me an and pet me, and corden to de papers dat is abuse.
Artie: Only if you didn't want it.
Sis: Oh.
Artie: Did you want it?
Sis: Of course. Me love him.
Artie: That means no shelter.
Sis: But what about beating, rape and psychological abuse?
Artie: If you suffered that, you'd certainly be entitled to Government shelter according to the convention. But remember, governments don't always live up to their promises.
Sis: Me know dat, sar. Government promise us a house from Ivan wash weh ours, an up to now, nutten. But like how dis convention is international sinting, we hopes revive.
Artie: But from what you said, it sounds as if you Tom-Tom doesn't abuse you.
Sis: Dat can be arranged.
Artie: What do you mean?
Sis: Dat me will arrange for him to abuse me.
Artie: You'd do that?
Sis: My moddah always tell me if you want good, you nose haffi run.
Artie: How would you arrange to be abused?
Sis: Well, sar, is two tings Tom-Tom love sex an him food. An if is one ting him hate, is nagging. When me start nag him, him goin lick me. When me stop give him sex, him goin rape me. And when me start bun up him dinner, him going abuse me physically and verbally.
Artie: But that's a short-sighted plan. You love Tom-Tom, but when Government takes you away from him and shelters you, you'll probably lose him to someone else.
Sis: No, sar. If Government shelter me and feed me for a year or so, Tom-Tom coulda kotch wid him moddah fah de time. Me would do some studies an get qualifications an him coulda save. Den we would go back togedah, me would get a job and him would build back we house. Dat sound long-sighted?
Artie: Yes, it does. I wish you luck.
He turned off the tape recorder. "Well, Dads?"
Laughing, I asked if the 'A' in the alias stood for Anancy.
Artie nodded. "She may not have qualifications, but she's clearly intelligent."
"And what a planner!" I exclaimed. "She'd be an asset to any of the candidates for the leadership of the PNP."
