One of the most basic descriptions of the human condition is fallibility, the fact that all human beings are subject to making mistakes because we all live in a tent of human flesh.

However, there are those with too much of an esteemed understanding of their personal greatness who behave as if this maxim does not apply to them. They glory in their own shame, believing that they are doing good when the consequences of their actions tell a different story. Their sense of infallibility often becomes self-destructive.

Let me hasten to say that the fallibility of human nature and its propensity to indulge egregious errors does not excuse bad behaviour when it happens. This is especially true when such behaviour is injurious, mentally or physically, to other people. Bad behaviour must be accounted for and dealt with.

Yes, I admit that this is quite a meandering path to the George Wright matter, but I insist, it is a necessary prologue. The Wright saga is by now well known. Briefly, a video circulated of a man beating a woman with a stool. The allegation is that the beater was the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmoreland Central George Wright. Wright has neither confirmed nor denied that it was him, but he was forced to resign from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) after unrelenting public outrage at what happened. He became an independent MP in the house, caucusing with the JLP. Subjecting himself to counselling and perhaps penance, Wright later married the alleged victim of his alleged abuse and was subsequently readmitted into the JLP. He continues to be the MP for his constituency and will ostensibly contest the seat for his party in the upcoming general election.

There has been a howl of protest from some sections of the society, notably from the People’s National Party (PNP), that Wright should not have been brought back and given such prominence by his party. Some believe that this action is a slap in the face of all women, especially those who have suffered abuse at the hands of their partners. Others believe the JLP has not treated the matter with the seriousness that it deserves, and at the very least Wright should not have been given a chance at representational politics because of his alleged wrongdoing. It sends a wrong signal to political representation, especially the young, some arguments run.

I come to this subject wearing two hats. First, as a couples, marriage, and family therapist and then as a priest. I am not naive to the pernicious nature of partner abuse, especially when it turns into violence. This is not to be countenanced in any way or form. When partner abuse occurs, it is the clearest indication that something deep and fundamental has shaken the foundations of that relationship. It is an earthquake that ranks above seven on the Richter scale of spousal relationships. Many relationships never recover from that kind of earthquake, and those that do survive are bedevilled by tension, distrust, and other forms of intolerable pain. When you physically abuse your partner, a threshold is reached that places the relationship in severe jeopardy.

What has concerned and even alarmed me over the years is the number of women who stay in abusive relationships with the naive belief that over time things will get better. Such a situation is not without redemption, but this cannot occur without serious help or intervention, not necessarily to save the relationship, but perhaps to save lives.

An aspect of the Wright saga that is often overlooked in the public assessment of his alleged actions is that he sought counselling and subsequently married the woman that he had allegedly beaten. What this says to me is that he sought help. I cast no aspersions on the veracity or efficacy of the intervention he sought and received. It does not help to speculate about this either. Neither should one speculate about the status of his marital relationship at this point.

There had to be a certain humbling of the mind on the part of Wright which brought him to this point of contrition and perhaps willingness to deal with his perceived human failings. Is this sufficient for him to be redeemed? At the very least, give him a few marks for facing up to these perceived failings, seeking help, and if the allegations are true, having the temerity to ask the alleged victim to give him her hand in marriage. I believe, like any other human being, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. This is the priest in me speaking. Time alone will bear out the efficacy of the path he has taken towards redemption, how far he gets on this road, and whether the destination he seeks is a mere mirage in the desert.

I leave the politicking to those who are best able to indulge it according to their disparate agendas. To be expected, a lot of the political discussion has been riven with the usual hypocrisy indicative of the division that characterises our politics. Again, only time will bear out how well Wright has adjusted to his perceived mea culpa.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. He hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his YouTube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.

Pull quote

An aspect of the Wright saga that is often overlooked in the public assessment of his alleged actions is that he sought counselling and subsequently married the woman that he had allegedly beaten. What this says to me is that he sought help

Raulston Nembhard