Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Cool the hatred
In 2010, 11 Vincentian girls between the ages of 10-14 gave birth; a statistic which has ignited little or no debate leaving me to believe these occurrences are not seen as particularly heinous or even as crimes. None of these young ladies, according to the law of the land can give consent to sexual intercourse but still no charges were laid against those responsible for impregnating them. It would appear that these crimes are sidelined by an underlying acceptance in the wider society that female sexuality is a commodity to be traded.
In contrast to the muted tones with respect to the child mothers, the hot story in this country is centred around a story carried by at least two newspapers which reported that three male teachers were questioned/detained on charges of gross indecency and acts of lewdness with their male charges. Since then the vitriol and condemnation have spewed forth on social media and talk shows. One blog vincikalalloo took it a step further and published photos of the teachers at the centre of the firestorm igniting calls for blood and the extermination of these men. This even though the men to the best of my knowledge have not been charged. The entire blog site has since disappeared from cyber space leaving me to wonder if the site owner has suddenly realised that he/she could face law suits for their irresponsible actions'
As usual when such stories break we are quick to show our hypocritical,judgemental sides. In the hysteria over a story that is yet to be proven we cry death to all homosexuals conveniently forgetting that
1.Homosexuality and paedophilia are two separate issues.
2.The bigger issue would be the crossing of boundaries in a teacher/student relationship
And in all our righteous indignation we should not forget that male heterosexual teachers crossing the boundary is not uncommon and equally worthy of condemnation. For that matter I would not be surprised if female teachers have also overstepped the line. However, in all the talk I am particularly disturbed by the ease with which we seem willing to pass judgement before being in possession of the facts. It is neither here nor there whether question marks have been raised over the sexuality of the men. In my humble opinion we should examine the issue at hand for truth and if proven then appropriate action should be taken. Failing that everything remains just an allegation. Hence the mean spiritedness behind the publication of photos was unwarranted and uncalled for.
Given the smallness of our society we ought to be really more circumspect with our approach to things. Our response over the last few days did not really show us at our finest. And as much as we hate to admit it, homosexuals are people too.
In contrast to the muted tones with respect to the child mothers, the hot story in this country is centred around a story carried by at least two newspapers which reported that three male teachers were questioned/detained on charges of gross indecency and acts of lewdness with their male charges. Since then the vitriol and condemnation have spewed forth on social media and talk shows. One blog vincikalalloo took it a step further and published photos of the teachers at the centre of the firestorm igniting calls for blood and the extermination of these men. This even though the men to the best of my knowledge have not been charged. The entire blog site has since disappeared from cyber space leaving me to wonder if the site owner has suddenly realised that he/she could face law suits for their irresponsible actions'
As usual when such stories break we are quick to show our hypocritical,judgemental sides. In the hysteria over a story that is yet to be proven we cry death to all homosexuals conveniently forgetting that
1.Homosexuality and paedophilia are two separate issues.
2.The bigger issue would be the crossing of boundaries in a teacher/student relationship
And in all our righteous indignation we should not forget that male heterosexual teachers crossing the boundary is not uncommon and equally worthy of condemnation. For that matter I would not be surprised if female teachers have also overstepped the line. However, in all the talk I am particularly disturbed by the ease with which we seem willing to pass judgement before being in possession of the facts. It is neither here nor there whether question marks have been raised over the sexuality of the men. In my humble opinion we should examine the issue at hand for truth and if proven then appropriate action should be taken. Failing that everything remains just an allegation. Hence the mean spiritedness behind the publication of photos was unwarranted and uncalled for.
Given the smallness of our society we ought to be really more circumspect with our approach to things. Our response over the last few days did not really show us at our finest. And as much as we hate to admit it, homosexuals are people too.
# posted by Abeni @ 4:52 AM 
Comments:
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"Hence the mean spiritedness behind the publication of photos was unwarranted and uncalled for."
You are so correct. What I find interesting is that there is a seeming lack of introspection when these scandals arise. The ones quick to condemn never stop to think that maybe one day something like that could happen to them and that casting stones may not be the right way to respond to the situation. And the other important thing is as you say, the men haven't been charged, they were questioned. But reason seems to fly out the door when it comes to scandals.
We need an ADULT conversation on sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular. We seem content to slander and malign and call for people's deaths whenever the topic of sexuality/homosexuality arises. That doesn't address the issues. Sigh we still have a long way to go as a people.
You are so correct. What I find interesting is that there is a seeming lack of introspection when these scandals arise. The ones quick to condemn never stop to think that maybe one day something like that could happen to them and that casting stones may not be the right way to respond to the situation. And the other important thing is as you say, the men haven't been charged, they were questioned. But reason seems to fly out the door when it comes to scandals.
We need an ADULT conversation on sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular. We seem content to slander and malign and call for people's deaths whenever the topic of sexuality/homosexuality arises. That doesn't address the issues. Sigh we still have a long way to go as a people.
An adult conversation that is not centred on kill all bullers yada yada. A conversation that recognises differences and can be tolerant. A conversation that condemns preying on the young from either sex. Yeah like you said an ADULT conversation and less finger pointing.
Ahhhh come off it Abeni! This is not the first time allegations have surfaced pertaining to these teachers; so what are you talking about mean spiritedness. Put up your outrage for the alleged victims rather than the alleged perpetrators. I have no sympathy for these teachers...they deserve every public ridicule directed at them. The police questioning these guys is sufficient for me.
I totally agree with Vincikalaloo to publish the pictures of these teachers. Maybe if we do more of public shaming;we would not have such wide spread abuse of our young people in Vincyland.
Do you have to wait for someone to be "charged" to then feel outraged? Well I have not reached that level of humanity.
By the way, who is confusing Homosexuality and Pedophilia in this story? Tell me Abeni, which one of those teachers is a homosexual? Need I give you the definition of homosexual? I didn't think so.
Cool the hatred? Cool the madness of defending these brothers on the down-low preying on our young boys.Are these guys your friends? Is it because these guys are in the upper echelons of our society, why you are withholding judgement? Are you not guilty of being an enabler given the past allegations of these teachers?
"Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
I HAVE JUDGED CORRECTLY;THESE TEACHERS ARE GUILTY! AND SO ARE YOU ABENI.
I totally agree with Vincikalaloo to publish the pictures of these teachers. Maybe if we do more of public shaming;we would not have such wide spread abuse of our young people in Vincyland.
Do you have to wait for someone to be "charged" to then feel outraged? Well I have not reached that level of humanity.
By the way, who is confusing Homosexuality and Pedophilia in this story? Tell me Abeni, which one of those teachers is a homosexual? Need I give you the definition of homosexual? I didn't think so.
Cool the hatred? Cool the madness of defending these brothers on the down-low preying on our young boys.Are these guys your friends? Is it because these guys are in the upper echelons of our society, why you are withholding judgement? Are you not guilty of being an enabler given the past allegations of these teachers?
"Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
I HAVE JUDGED CORRECTLY;THESE TEACHERS ARE GUILTY! AND SO ARE YOU ABENI.
# posted by 
: 4:06 AM
: 4:06 AM
Alrighty then Saadiss. I am guilty having been tried and sentenced by you the ulimate authority. I still stand by everything I have written.
Jeeze Abeni,didn't you also call for "A conversation that condemns preying on the young from EITHER sex"?
WTH Saadis?
WTH Saadis?
Sadass said:
"I have no sympathy for these teachers...they deserve every public ridicule directed at them. The police questioning these guys is sufficient for me."
Really? Being questioned by police now makes somebody guilty? I was under the impression that people should get a fair trial before being convicted.
Or maybe you just own a pitchfork and torch store and see a business opportunity..
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"I have no sympathy for these teachers...they deserve every public ridicule directed at them. The police questioning these guys is sufficient for me."
Really? Being questioned by police now makes somebody guilty? I was under the impression that people should get a fair trial before being convicted.
Or maybe you just own a pitchfork and torch store and see a business opportunity..
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