Orville W. TaylorFOR A moment I was about to get out the big shoes, white face paint and red nose, because I was about to perform another one of my clown acts. However, as soon as the costume was ready I recognised that there was at least one politician and several public officers who deserve to wear it more than I.
My dear friend Horace Dalley, formerly of the Ministry of Labour, is trying to debunk his image of 'Dalleying' around issues. Unlike matters of industrial relations that he laboured through, and social security issues that one could have earned a second pension from simply waiting to hear his pronouncement, he is putting his foot down. Hopefully he is not putting it into his mouth but clearly he has taken some "bootsing" and "put a hand" on the vexed question of sexual activity behind bars.
Like former Commissioner of Corrections, Colonel John Prescod, a few years ago, the honourable minister had expressed support for the distribution of condoms in prison. The present commissioner, Major Richard Reese, gave no support to Minister Dalley and apparently, the inmates, very angered and offended, are backing the commissioner with clenched fists. On the earlier occasion the comments led to a riot in the correctional facilities.
BACKED DOWN
On Thursday, prisoners at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility, totally rejected Dalley's suggestion, arguing that only a small minority of inmates are known to practise homosexuality, and on the rare occasion that it surfaces in the general population, it is rebuffed. Nevertheless, the honourable minister has backed down and reversed his earlier position.
Although there is no hard evidence that there is homosexual activity, Dr. Raymoth Notice, former prison doctor, suggests that those who deny it are turning their backs on the problem.
Anyway, Major Reese has issued a statement and is asking for patience as he prepares a full commentary. Hopefully, in a prison system, where there are thousands of sexually frustrated men, he has a hand on the situation.
CENSURE MOTION
Then, outspoken Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw, initiated a censure motion against 'Mr. Youthful Exuberance' Phillip Paul 'not so' Well. The reason behind the move was ostensibly because of his misinforming Parliament on March 14, that only 500 tons of sub-standard cement, produced since February, reached the market. Subsequent concrete evidence revealed that the inferior cement was being produced from last year. Furthermore, Shaw argues that Paulwell, in his capacity as minister responsible for industry, failed to take the necessary steps to ensure a continuous supply of the commodity.
I hold no brief for Paulwell, or any of his friends for that matter. I also believe that his handling of the crisis left much to be desired. Furthermore, I doubt that a 44-year-old man can be considered youthful and certainly his speeches don't emanate exuberance. However, a big part of the mess has to do with the role of the Bureau of Standards, then headed by Omer 'doubtful' Thomas. The bureau was less than vigilant and has to shoulder much of the blame as well.
Then suddenly, after having declared no political aspirations two months after Paulwell supposedly misled parliament, Thomas is declared a JLP candidate two days before Shaw initiates the censure motion. Coincidence?
Well, even if it is coincidental, given that the minister and the bureau are collectively responsible for the cement debacle, isn't Thomas negligent and incompetent too?
And with more clouds above his head than were found in the skies during the rained-out first and second Test matches, how can the JLP even think of endorsing him? Hmmm! Maybe he did nothing wrong.
Nonetheless, for Shaw to attack Paulwell while totally ignoring the faux pas of Thomas, and accepting him as a colleague, is at worst, hypocritical, and at best, clownish. The whole thing seems too contrived for me.
FEMALE PRINCIPAL ISSUE
On another note, for the past month I have kept silent on the matter of the appointment of a female principal at St George's College (STGC), a traditionally all-boys' school. STGC is still essentially a unisex school although the sixth form has been recently integrated with its fair share of challenges. Indeed, when you suddenly mix pubescent teenagers of opposite sexes, there is always the likelihood of it breeding problems.
Even today we are not sure if the experiment to have a 'co-ed' sixth form will be continued after this batch. So, what is certain is that this will be a male-dominated school even if it does not revert to an all-boys' institution.
OPPOSITION TO APPOINTMENT
A solid body of parents are opposed to the impending appointment of a female principal, while another group, caught up in the euphoria of 'woman time now,' is supporting her with the full approval of the Women's Media Watch.
Like so many feminist groups who love to jump with knee-jerk reaction at anything that smacks of gender discrimination, even without thinking about it, they have done it again. Let's not be hypocritical! Young males need male parents and role models.
A high school is not a workplace or parliament where one applies all of the rules related to gender equality. It is an extension of the home and teachers are proxy parents and deputy guardians. Like the home, it has gendered roles. Schoolboys learn manhood from men and try as they may, women don't have it, whatever the lengths they may go.
It is ironic and amusing that the same set of people who speak of male marginality in the family fail to grasp the significance of a male student body headed by two female vice-principals and a headmistress.
Think first, talk later!
Dr. Orville Taylor is senior
lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
