Dear editor,

The five of us, retired professionals, over 80, looked at the people from Zimbabwe in Arnett Gardens, Jamaica, as they angrily demonstrated against a grieving mother who seemed to have hinted that her daughter was murdered by in-house ‘shottas’ because she rebuffed the sexual advances of hankering community male.   

Infuriated women denied the mother’s report by screaming: “di man dem can get sex anytime dem want, from any of wi. Dem didn’t bodda di dead girl”. The men shouted: “Di ooman dem in ‘ere don’t wear clothes. Dem naked and any time wi want dem and say “ruuu” dem say yes. Wi ave no trouble fi sex”. An irate young woman, obviously sexed beyond her years, asked: “so wat if de man dem want it? Afta (it) is nat gol’.”

We prayed that our relatives abroad did not see the news, for we grew up at a time when boys and girls sat side by side in school and church and they never even talked, out loud, about sex.

Virginity was precious. It was indeed gold to the girl with an unstained reputation.

Those who grew up in the ‘Born Again’ churches would be kicked out of the church and flung out of our safe homes to go far away to ‘chop wood and carry water’. We were afraid to think of sex for the severe, primitive consequences.

Those of us who worked as doctors, nurses and teachers know how some of the girls in certain areas are pressured by the so-called don or ‘big-man’. We know that some mothers take the money and send their un-willing daughters to the slaughter.

Some of us have helped girls to escape to safe places. Others of us know how the family is hurt —  the house burnt, and other forms of revenge effected — when the poor virgin escapes the clutches of the rapists, for that’s what they are when they force themselves on helpless children.

Another thing that hurts this independent country is ‘bad mind’. Neighbours seem to be jealous of the children who ‘stay inside’, study and do well in exams. We know so many examples where these children who pass many subjects are envied and have to leave their uninspiring neighbourhoods.                                    

When we watched the hostile demonstration we realised what a champion that 17-year-old was, to have managed herself in an A grade school, passed 11 CSEC subjects and was predicted to be Head Girl in 6th form.

Our hands are tied; all we can do is talk.

Veronica Blake Carnegie