And Still I Rise

For the past week or so a storm centred around a "dance off" has been raging. It has become the practice for promoters to host these shows where the nation's youths vie for top honours in cheerleading, dance etc. This year's version was thrust into the spotlight when SVG TV aired a clip showing a group of dancers performing some lewd routines. Since then every man jack ranging from the Ministries of Education, Culture,Youth affairs to the man on the street has weighed in with their two cents. As is to be expected, the students and to an extent the promoters have been roundly castigated.

While I found the clip in question to be overly sexual the outrage smacks of knee jerk reactions and more than a fair dose of hypocrisy. One group pushed the limits too far and the entire "dance off" is painted as a breeding ground for lewdness? Nonsense! None of the outraged folks seem aware that that there is a growing culture of vulgarity aided and abetted by the media, parents and society. As it stands the more out there you are the more props you get.

I found the Ministry of Culture in particular to be quite hypocritical. Where are these officials during carnival when young and not so young ladies wearing next to nothing simulate sex for all to see? Where are they when children are encouraged by parents and adults to go infront the cameras and wine as if their little lives depended on it? Where are they when the adult women outdo each other with the lewdness in an attempt to be captured by the camera? Where are you Ministry of Culture and why are you surprised when the youngsters exhibit the learnt behaviour?

These acts, good people are not born in isolation. The young may not listen to what they are told but make no bones about it they sure emulate what they see. Who then is to blame? PS.I expect to hear the Ministry of Education,Youth Affairs and Culture express their outrage over the bar that is to be constructed in the vicinity of GHS, SVGS, KPS and the TSS. As a matter of fact SVG, let's hear you.

Today marks thirty one years since Vincentians awoke to the news that the La Soufriere volcano had erupted. Having not yet graced the world with my presence I have no first hand information of the sights and sounds of the eruptions of 1979. However, I have heard numerous stories of the angry looking cauliflower clouds that that preceded the loud explosions, the forked lightning,sulphur,heavy ash fall, the evacuation camps and aid that was nicknamed "bodow" in tribute to the sounds of the explosions.

As a teenager I saw the awesome power of volcanoes when the Montserrat Soufriere Hills rumbled to life forcing a mass evacuation. In quick time the word pyroclastic flow became a part of my vocabulary helped in part by the amazing but horrifying footage captured by television or satellite crew. Since then I have looked at our dozing mountain with more than a little fear and respect. In fact every time news of Montserrat's volcano hit the airwaves I would cast anxious thoughts on our volcano.

Despite the presence of warning systems I often wonder if we are really prepared should there be a major eruption. By that I mean if evacuation centres are well know, if transport will be readily available, if there are plans to look after livestock etc etc. While a part of me wishes to experience an eruption I would not be unhappy if the mountain stays in a deep slumber.

Yesterday, on CNN's home page I read the horrifying story of the Yemeni child bride who died of internal bleeding following sexual intercourse.

The practice of marrying young girls is widespread in Yemen and has drawn the attention of international rights groups seeking to pressure the government to outlaw child marriages. Legislation that would make it illegal for those under the age of 17 to marry is in serious peril after strong opposition from some of Yemen's most influential Islamic leader. Read more

Awful,just awful. That's all I can say now.