The glass ceiling and Parliament

JAMES MOSS-SOLOMON

Sunday, February 05, 2012

My sincere sympathy goes out to the family of Barclay Ewart. He was a gentleman, a committed Jamaican, and industrial entrepreneur of the highest order. He was also a sprinter about whom many legendary stories have been told across the high schools of the nation, and most importantly at his alma mater, Jamaica College. His generosity was quiet but effective, and his encouragement of others was a signal of his humility. He was a quiet giant and will be sadly missed.

The concept of a "glass ceiling" that prevents certain persons from achieving the ranks of the top has been a topic of research, observation and writing over many years. The findings have pointed to gender, race, colour, ethnicity, and sexual choices as being among the chief attributes that constitute discriminatory practices.

Gender and sexual preferences in Jamaica seem to have absorbed the attention of persons in recent times in importance to national discussions. In fact, they seem to preclude discussion on many of the "minor items" in favour of the two top profiles. The latter has taken up much time and debate with regard to whether "they" should be in the Cabinet or simply remain locked in the closet. But there is already enough discussion on that, so I will turn my attention to the first item -- gender.

With the election of Mrs Portia Simpson Miller as prime minister, it should be obvious that the "men only" glass ceiling no longer applies unless her party is merely using her as a "face card" (which I doubt). It is obvious that she will speak her mind on many subjects but is not blinded by a desire to be omnipotent, and plays the team game to some extent.

On both sides of the House as well as the Senate there are many capable women who have great ability and are able to lead. They also can realistically aspire to the heights of their chosen profession in political representation, and should not feel daunted in aspiring to break the perceived ceiling. I do not feel that they have to follow the behaviour patterns of their male counterparts just to fit in with an "old boys" network of rude and stupid behaviour in our Parliament.

I hope that I am not simply a "male chauvinist pig" by expecting more from the women in Parliament. I admit that I am biased as I happen to know many of these persons as responsible wives, mothers, and grandmothers, aunts, and daughters who, I believe, really care. There lies the source of my disappointment.

I strongly believe that there are issues in our society that are so distasteful and are in such flagrant disregard of the law that we all should agree to remedies that transcend party lines. The issues of the treatment of children in places of safety, care for the disabled, abuse of minors, and inhumane treatment in public facilities, are among those that I would expect our women in Parliament to place above their parties and seek to serve justice and right.

I do not believe that men are necessarily any less sensitive to these circumstances, and this has been shown recently. Bobby Montague was so incensed that he used certain words that drew media attention, and the words became more important than the inattention that had been paid to the wards of the state. But at least he had a reaction that most persons could sympathise with; he was angry and perhaps even justified in venting in such a serious situation.

Last week, Tyrone Reid of The Gleaner brought the plight of Bellevue to the attention of the public, and again I wonder where the voices of our women in Parliament are, as the situations described, if accurate, are certainly inhumane and illegal. Come on, ladies, I hope that you will allow simple decency to become a common bond, or am I expecting too much? Please agree to look out for those who may not be able to care for themselves.

I have been really disappointed by the confrontational attitude taken at some inappropriate times between former minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and two of the new ministers of government -- Natalie Neita-Headley and Lisa Hanna. There is a time and place for every type of behaviour, but at unrelated public functions or in public media, confrontation only serves to belittle the respect due to women that I still believe is appropriate.

At some time in the immediate future we must start to draw a line between right and wrong. Wrong is not an item on a paper that is to be debated like school children presented with a theoretical moot. The nation's business is a serious reality and the resolution of matters we can all agree on will leave more time available to deal with more contentious items.

I may be naïve, but I expect women to be more fiscally responsible managers, less corrupt, and less violent than us men. I have not seen the women representatives brandishing guns in public, drinking to excess in bars or in betting shops, or generally behaving like us the "careless" men.

So when our women parliamentarians get close to the top, what do they really see? Do they see a transparent glass ceiling with ample room beyond for them to break through and chart their own course and pursue their dreams? Or do they see a mirror obscuring what lies beyond and merely reflecting their own jaundiced self-image constrained and framed by the ugly colours of partisan politics?

So Most Honourable Prime Minister, what will you do in order to set an example that others will follow towards being really caring and above the constant noise of bickering that stops our women from breaking the barrier as you have done, thereby bringing a potentially new paradigm? Women in politics rising above the trough that seeks to turn good into evil, right into wrong, and Jamaica further into poverty is essential.

Take a look at all the Escada suits around you and ask if that is the image that will break through or merely reflect the feminine beauty that will be content to continue in "subservience" to us men. For the sake of our nation, I hope not. It's time for good and honest governance, so ladies, it's your time to bat.

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COMMENTS (2)

wanda woeman
2/5/2012

I would never accuse this writer of political partisanship but he has this habit which comes across to me as afraid of calling a spade a spade, in the fear that he might be so accused. Take this “I have been really disappointed by the confrontational attitude taken at some inappropriate times between former minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and two of the new ministers of government -- Natalie Neita-Headley and Lisa Hanna.”
I would like him to tell us one instance of either Neita-Headley or Hanna initiating this conflict. All that has been said so far by Ms. Hanna is that she is going to have the 50th spending audited. Where is the confrontationist attitude in this?

Paul Gentles
2/5/2012

Merit - all should earn the right to the job. Our female MPs stands toe to toe as garrison leaders with their male counter-parts. For corruption etc. they are not proven to be behind. On what grounds do you first determine there is a glass ceiling and secondly women would be doing any better?
I agree Portia now has the opportunity to show us what we havw been missing by having all these macho ministers - but if she shows that like in men, power corrupts...then what?

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The glass ceiling and Parliament