Perhaps,
both major political parties here may subscribe in varying degrees to a version
of male chauvinism no matter the camouflage; and given our legacy of
patriarchy, it is not unexpected.
A
natural corollary of that Chauvinism/patriarchy is “male paramountcy” in our political
organisations which the political leadership may either equate to effectiveness
or perceive as a “critical success factor”.
Let
us for argument sake concede that Kenny (because of the perception or reality that
he is in absolute charge) has consolidated his paramountcy in the SLP; let us
also concede that Chastanet is trying to catch up with Kenny in that regard.
Let
us also concede that we have no evidence to suggest that Kenny’s “paramountcy”
has never been used to subvert the democratic processes or to alienate the
hierarchy of the SLP.
Can
we also concede that there is no such evidence against Chastanet?
According
to voices of Richard Frederick, Michael Flood, Former Prime Minister Stephenson
King, Dr Claudius Preville, and lately for AG “Doddy” Francis, the answer is bone-chilling!
The
latest to join the chorus are the UWP Women in Action (WIA). It does appear that the sabre-rattling inside
the WIA about male chauvinism and paramountcy within the leadership hierarchy
of the UWP is well-founded.
“Hats
off” to the Sealy (WIA Secretary) for her courage not just to speak out but
also to demonstrate against a dangerous trend in our politics. She has done it not
just for the women in the UWP, but for all the women in St. Lucia and in the process, she has outshone even the Leader of the Opposition. Miss Sealys must be regarded as a trendsetter
who is worthy of emulation.
Coincidentally,
Ms Sealys’ allegations and action therefrom have surfaced at a time when a
UWP-leaning Talk show host excoriated a young lady who made an “unforced error”
on his show; and upon the realisation of the error, she courageously offered an
apology but that didn’t pre-empt the talk show host from having his full pound
of flesh.
The
said talk show host has followed a precedent he set when the PM apologised to
him for labeling him Media terrorist; ironically, he came out as a media
terrorist with a vengeance against the obviously stunned young lady who
probably felt molested by the host’s merciless pursuit and desire for a pound
of flesh.
In
retrospect, the talk show host clearly overstepped his boundaries. He didn’t do
justice to his own professional ethics.
Will
the media workers endorse that behaviour?
If
male chauvinism is bad for politics, then it is even worse for journalism. Moreover,
if it goes to the point of using “terror tactics” like the talkshow host did to intimidate a guest on his
show, then we need to condemn in the strongest possible terms and to swiftly nip from
the bud. What is not good for the gander cannot be good for the goose!
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