Heather Robinson
On Christmas Day, the mother of a four-year-old boy told the story of how self-conscious she was at a party dressed in a halter top and pants. Apparently, she was expressing concern about the size of her mid-section (belly), when the female bartender promptly put her at ease. She was told, not to worry, because "Fat deh wear now". Now where else in the world would one woman tell this to another woman, and it be regarded as a compliment? We are indeed a special breed of women here in Jamaica.
At this time of year women spend a lot of money on clothes and their personal appearance. But it does not take a visit to a Christmas or New Year's Eve party to see just how far some women are willing to go. It is not unheard of for a size 20 woman to forcibly squeeze herself into a size 14 or 16 pants or skirt. Clearly, the tighter the clothes and the more flesh that is being exposed, the more at ease is the woman.
Maximum self-confidence
There is hardly a road that one drives on that we do not see several examples of the courage of the Jamaican woman. It is not unusual to see several inches of flesh (fat), pouring out over the top of a pants or skirt, with no apparent regard or concern. The walk, step and gait of these women exude maximum self-confidence. Then of course, there are the tops that our women wear, that expose the triple D (DDD) breasts being shoved, flattened and moulded into a size B cup. It is a miracle sometimes to wonder just how these women are able to accomplish such monumental feats.
The hair is another area where women believe that they must be fashionable. And so, it doesn't matter if a 10-year-old boy tells a 17-year-old, that her hair looks like a 'wild animal'. Our women will go more than that extra mile to be the centre of attraction, and if it involves plodding along in six-inch high heels, that too is acceptable. Comfort is hardly a priority.
But what is it about the Jamaican woman that we can learn from the mode of dress?
Firstly, it means that we are a very courageous group, who must be lauded and congratulated for bravery. But does this bravery spill over into other aspects of our lives? Of course it does, and so we must salute all those Jamaican women who do the unexpected. The woman constable who recently showed unhesitating courage by killing one of three armed - with guns - robbers, and recovering an illegal firearm deserves our praise and prayers.
Horrible acts
Mothers who report their husbands or spouses for acts of incest or carnal abuse of their children must be commended, and condemnation and justice must be meted out to the criminals, who do these horrible acts. Women who work six and seven days per week to send their children to school will receive blessings.
Secondly, women who have the confidence to wear 'anything' should work at converting this into ways that help them to be more economically independent. Any size-22 woman, who can walk down King Street dressed in a size-16 miniskirt, is a woman who should be able to do anything she wants to. And, it also tells men, who would want to prey upon her, to back off.
My wish for all of Jamaica's most confident women for 2007 is that you will achieve all the goals that you set, knowing very well that you can do it. Continue to exude confidence in the new year.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
