Congratulations to Prime Minister Skerrit for his confidence in Baroness Patricia Scotland. Some say the new Commonwealth Secretary General only prevailed because she was the ‘establishment candidate,’ favoured by Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. After all, she was Attorney General of where? But we in Dominica will take it any way we can get it. The rest of the Caribbean will fall in line.
Furthermore, this is something unlikely to be repeated in our lifetime – something that speaks to the indomitable spirit in the very DNA of Dominicans. Unprecedented it is, for such a small country to snag top posts in three major, leading international institutions: Caricom, PAHO, and now comes the Commonwealth! Where next?
And by the way, please note the gender of these outstanding public officials.
We have long been excited about this lady. “I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to hold the post of Secretary General,” declared Baroness Scotland at the press conference following her election. She vowed to strongly place women issues high on her agenda. “Domestic violence affects one in three women globally,” she continued. “It is the greatest cause for morbidity in women and girls and it is a disgrace that this so.”
Right on Q! How did she know that was my topic this week?!
Whether inflicted by cutlass, gas cylinder or any other conceivable weapon, our women are victims of increasingly brutal attacks in the home, at work – nowhere seems to be safe or sacred anymore. Some blame the Devil and end times, but we have to do a little better than that. Our Bureau of Gender Affairs and the NGO Coalition are working very hard. Support them. We have to drill down to the root causes and take clear corrective action.
Yes, we talk about it, but often around it. These two examples will illustrate.
As a young married father, I once listened intently to a 72-year-old arthritic pastor who had limped up to the pulpit. He declared that he could never find himself in a room alone with a woman who isn’t his wife – he did not trust his sexual urges. While impressed by his honesty and strict discipline, my gut reaction was like, “Eeeow! You old man? That’s gross, creepy!”
Now for some equal time: A friend once asked me to do a home visit for his elderly mother. He warned me not to be too offended, as she was prone to saying some outrageous things. First thing I noticed was her short, form-fitting sleeveless dress. After a brief introduction and pleasantries, she suddenly asked how long I had been back from overseas and if I had a woman. “No… N-not interested,” was all I could manage.
“So what?” she retorted. “You doesn’t ______ then!”
My jaw hit the floor. My friend grabbed his head with both hands and stormed out of the room.
So here’s my conclusion of the matter. We live in an increasingly hyper-sexualized society. The urges do not always go away. With age, many focus on family legacy, keeping up with grandchildren, prayers, hymns and scripture. Yet others become more obsessed with sex, despite diminished capacity and opportunity. That imbalance results in abuse of the most vulnerable and dependent in society by older adults. Meanwhile tablets and smartphones are available to most children today. In seconds, they can access material more sordid than those generations ago could indulge with much effort and trepidation. Girls become more seductive as their mothers dress them more provocatively. Boom! A child abuse epidemic! How do we cope with this technological change?
Our economy was in steep decline even before Erika. Now it is hemorrhaging jobs, Breadwinner roles are reversed. Despair is rampant among young men. Given certain predictable situations, over-stimulated and frustrated men with unrealistic fantasies become as combustible as gasoline and matches. The result is the horrific savagery perpetrated against women. My good friend ASP Claude Weekes confirms the escalation in violent crime with no turnaround in sight.
Grenadian Dr.Wendy Grenade, political science professor at the University of the West Indies, recently spoke at Fort Young about ‘overcoming.’ She referenced merciless taunting that Dame Eugenia Charles endured en route to accomplishing all she did. Dominican girls today consistently outperform the boys. They already know that they can attain great heights like Dr. Clarissa Etienne and Baroness Patricia Scotland – and that is not through sudden flight.
I am looking at a documentary on BBC entitled “Ascent of Woman.” It is extremely revealing how religion in its varying forms pioneered the hostility and violence against women. The solution to a hyper-sexualized society is not simply like Saudi Arabia’s Morality Police or ISIS fanatics who prowl the public square, checking hijabs, measuring the length of women’s dresses and flogging them on the spot. Our churches have work to do beyond fortifying our spirits. They must unreservedly promote respect of the essential equality of women as proclaimed in the New Testament.
In many parts of the world, black males are becoming endangered species. Hopefully, the Baroness can point us to Commonwealth programs focusing on creative ways to help mold our boys into disciplined, productive and caring men. We must work together and devote our energies to attracting solid investors while leveraging our own human resources at home and abroad. We need a healthier economy if there is to be any hope of overcoming the tide on child abuse and domestic violence now racking our beloved Dominica. Success is in our DNA. I believe that our glory days are on the way – something good is about to happen!
Click here for Baroness Scotland on your power to change things.
Dr. Sam Christian is surgeon who runs the Urgent Care medical office on 137 Bath Road. He heads the Dominica Cadet Corps Top Lifesaver Country project (TLC) and can be reached at 419 440-9133 / 613-8345 or at the Urgent Care website .
The sad thing about it is, we are going to see her pics on DNO every day. Well, I won’t be making any comments on the Baroness again. This is another arrow in skeritt’s sheath – A new member of the regime.
Pro & con comments generally were about the Baroness herseff rather than the issue she promised to advocate.
The Baroness is safe and has it made. How about our women and ourgirls? Do you have any response or ideas on how we solve that problem?
What did I tell you Roosevelt? She used you and fool you, leaving you with a headache now. Your ego is in the way of clear thinking and I am sorry you come so my boy.
She sound more British than Dominica, her first two years of her tenure as the Commonwealth’s top diplomat persuading 40 of its member states to decriminalise homosexuality. The british tried it using aid, now they have a British national heading the commonwealth, they will reform it to suit there agenda, Patrick John give us independence, Skerrit send us back to Britain.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baroness-scotland-uses-new-role-as-secretary-general-of-the-commonwealth-to-call-for-lgbt-rights-a6752966.html
not much about Dominica in the following article
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/baroness-patricia-scotland-becomes-first-uk-citizen-to-be-elected-secretary-general-of-commonwealth-a6752211.html
Now she got the position; See how her face is already brazen? Her other photos were like – “Help me!”
Congratulations to Baroness Scotland on becoming the new Commonwealth Secretary General.The fact that she is the first female to hold that position is significant.She won because she was nominated by Dominica, for without her name being put forward to begin with, she couldn’t have been in the running. Also she did a good job campaigning for herself.The fact that she cut her teeth in Britain and rose to a high level there so she was supported as an establishment person and not as a Dominican.However we should be proud of her and pray for her successful tenure at the job.
I hope she decides to focus on the real issues holding most Commonwealth countries development behind.The issues of women’s rights are important and should be addressed, but matters of job creation, debt reduction, better health care,infrastructure development are what are going to change people’s values and behavior. President Obama signed a bill to give equal pay to women,have they gotten it yet?
SO WHAT!
Carissa ettiene got appointed to PAHO Director – Look at the state of the hospital.
She will just bask in her glory and not do a thing to help Dominica, AS USUAL, like many Domericans or Domebritons do! They bask in Glory reap the wealth from it and fade away having done nothing for the country.
I don’t care and why should you?
Because of some stupid politics?
Gas prices still high
Food prices still high
Schools Dont have desks
Erika, a tropical storm – climate change causing an already damaged country to become run down to the ground
Kids being abused everyday and none of those politicians are doing a thing about it, really, because people still doing it. Put a law that sentencing them to death see how fast that thing fixing, but no…all you playing soft politics, good for all you.
And all you still there congratulating some figurhead.
Hhhmpph
What sweet in goat mouth sour in it rass karmem.. Proud of the first woman, Dominican by birth whos’ agenda it is to promote and impose lgbt garbage on my Dominican stance? Please…you all can keep her and toast with her and her filth
I have to hand it to Mr Skerrit, he was right and lot of other people were wrong. Frankly, I suspected that he was backing an unlikely candidate for reasons of national pride rather than pragmatism, especially since Sir Ronald is such a well regarded figure even beyond Caricom. But Baroness Scotland won the day after all. Well done.
I supported her nomination, even though, as a human being, I am unable to see the future much more to foretell it. I hoped she would have won and she did.
Thanks to PM Skeritt who nominated her.
Many in the Commonwealth who voted were in favor of her. It appears the other nominees did not stand a chance against her. She is a competent person. Her credentials told it all that she should have been chosen as Commonwealth SG.
Congratulations to her and my best wishes.
.
So now we need to research, find and include the Dominican luminaries in the diaspora to add to our intellectual content in articulating and activating a positive way forward away from the puerile and immature posturing of our LEADERS on all sides
We need a spirited involvement of our second generation Dominicans in the diaspora with huge capacities and academic and life experience qualifications to contribute as well .
The election of Scotland is a huge loss for the UWP. Unlike the other Caribbean leaders who can just say “Oh well” and walk away, Workers will have to live purgatory with any visit or news of her coming accomplishments.
Based on his prior knowledge, Dr. Sam endorsed her before and after. The Baroness is not a nobody that Skerrit built up. He was her ticket so its a win-win for them. Even if you take Skerrit of of the picture, the Baroness at the Commonwealth is a huge win for Dominca
So tell me what does Dominica really gain from the election of Baroness Scotland as head of the commonwealth? What is Dominica benefiting or has benefited since Mr. Irwin Larocque became Caricom secretary general? So how did the UWP loss? And if it was a big loss for them does that mean that the rest of the OECS member countries suffered a big loss too?
I agree with Dr Sam, Dominicans should be proud and compliment our government for supporting the Baroness. We should not see a compliment to the Government as being a stooge. We are a better and more mature a nation when we can see value in others who do not belong to our group or party. Such intolerance of diverse opinions is one reason the Dominica government is less than competent as it does not allow its ministers the opportunity to think differently or innovate. They are afraid to call out the Prime Minister where he does wrong. It is therefore proper to congratulate the government where it makes a right move. Baroness Scotland was female, African descent, Dominican, small island state in origin and more accomplished than Sanders. It was that simple. I am happy she won. Well said Sam. Our job now is lobby for her to promote small island states, women\’s rights and work against domestic violence. Her focus on science and technology is also spot on!
It is a win for CARIFTA and the “small islands” And most of all for women internationally. She is the first woman. EVER. When people, men, with credibility support the cause for gender equality and the need to fight against the war on women that is progress. This abuse of women and by extention on children must stop. It is wrong, unfair and unacceptable.
Dr. Sam has nothing to prove as far as being a confirmed critic of Skerrit abuses. Like all others who speak up he is suffering the consequences by government blocking him from practicing his profession at PMH.
The simple fact is a Dominican is now heading the Commonwealth. Why be vex about that? PM could have agreed with his Caricom colleagues and dropped the Baroness like a hot potato. All Dr. Sam did was congratulate PM for not doing so. He is honest and balanced enough to call a spade a spade.
Did you even bother to listen to the Baroness talk about you’ve got the power to change things? Did u even bother to read the rest of the article. Well that’s what Dr. Sam is fighting for. You cannot be vex all the time. I like his approach. You should join him.
Thanks Dr Christian for your slant on the war on women. As I see it, an independent bipatican movement must be formed to combat the battle for gender equality. This should consist of men to change the mindset that women are secondary. As men we are influence from birth by voice, action, and attitude that we have to lord it over women and make them victims. Too many women accept this role, making men the authoritative figure.
There is a need for reeducation and adjustment attitude for men. As demonstrated in the examples you give for women too. Thank you sir, when I talk about the war on women, people think I am stupid.
Right from the beginning women must put their feet down. Someone once told me that after she got married her husband tried to hit her. She told him, don’t you dare do that and never raise your hand on me. He never did! This says something.
Immediately when this ugly or vicious attitude projects itself, women must exercise their rights, dignity and pride. It is as simple as that. There are some women who will not put up with, as much as a man raising his hand on them.
There are some men who have respect for their partners/spouses and will not stoop that low. This is the way it should be.
For those who cannot control their temper and who oppress women and expect they should put up with this vile type of treatment and shut up, they probably have seen too much of it occurring in their home. Monkey see, monkey do. These should return to school. to learn love, discipline and respect for women. This could be done in a relevant counseling setting.
Congratulations Dr. Sam! Excellent piece!
Interesting down to earth insight on this troubling issue. Courts have been too soft. They should make it a crime for parents to accept hush money and decide not to testify. Cases take too long to call. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Impressive to hear the Baroness tell of the tremendous progress she made on this matter as Justice Minister. Hon. Blackmore, take note!
Mr. Christian, Thanks a million for your support which demonstrates the depth of your pride for your people and country. Take heed D/cans, the majority of 53 heads of states has chosen one of us. One of our beautiful woman be proud. Regardless of all the baseless and reckless comments posted on DNO recently on our lady jewel, smarter individuals saw beyond. One more victory for those who considered her recommendation.
“, a joint statement of Transparency International and Hon. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta, has pledged to put fighting corruption at the centre of the Commonwealth.”
Oh! Now I understand why Skerrit pushed so hard to ensure Baroness Scottland wins the election. Assuming Skerrit already knew fighting transparency and corruption would be on the top burner of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, who on earth do you think would be a better candidate to help Skerrit fight corruption and transparency?
So now I understand the game, therefore I now support Skerrit’s candidate because she is the best candidate to help him fight corruption, right?
Narrow thinking does not go away easily. There are 53 countries with membership to this organization who voted for the Baroness, so how is the PM alone standing against the fight on corruption
I see this as winning a small battle in the war on women.
Have you any idea of the make up of the Commonwealth? Some of the most corrupt countries in the world. One of the British papers rightly named it. Dictators, despots and republicans make up the Commonwealth. I notice that one of the first priorities for the Baroness is to push the liberal agenda of the West on LGBT issues. This will not go down well with the religious countries of Africa and Asia make up the majority of the Commonwealth.
WELL DONE BARONESS the majority of Dominicans was vying for you and loves you and we wish you Gods speed and good luck in this new adventure
Sam, I am extremely disappointed. Your kowtowing to Skerrit has become excruciating to behold…………………
Stop making everything a Skerrit mater. this is much bigger than him. this is international.
Stop
Me
Boy you people are becoming more sick everyday! I guess Mr. Skerrit bought the 0ver fifty heads of governments of the commonwealth to elect his chosen one? I also guess that now poor Sam Christian has lost his right as a Dominican to free expression because that free expression doesn’t reek of hate and acrimony against Mr. skerrit?
I will say it again, guys you all will self-destruct! Mark my words!
Of course, Ms. Saunders, Dr. Christian is entitled to express himself without hinder. After all, we live in a democracy, do we not and the constitution guarantees freedom of expression- and speech. With that comes the exposure to criticism by those, who hold a different view, like you are free to ciriticise Me. Frankly, I have no respect for Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit and have little of that for those, who feel the need to suck up to him for favours. Long live democracy!