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“It is not our culture:
Human rights culture in Guyana and the Caribbean”
Vidyaratha Kissoon
Caribbean Studies Association Conference
7 June 2013
“Is whu' really yuh talkin' bout?”
● A work in progress..
● How can we deal with the culture of beating of
children in Guyana and Caribbean?
● How can we deal with the culture of homophobia
in Guyana and the Caribbean?
● How can we deal with the culture of any
oppression ?
Personal interest
● Indian Guyanese Judge to Indian/Guyanese Hindu
woman lawyer on the Domestic Violence Act
movement – “How could you betray your
culture?”
● “I did not realise you were Hindu”
● “How come you are Hindu and talking about
these things?”
● “Did you live abroad? When did you return”
What is the Caribbean?
Caribbean Culture..
Antonio Benítez-Rojo : “Caribbeanness is a system full of
noise and opacity, a nonlinear and unpredictable system.
In short a chaotic system beyond the total reach of any
specific kind of knowledge or interpretation of the world”
via late Prof Rex Nettleford, CARIFESTA 2008
Caribbean culture
American culture
Caribbean/T&T culture
“In developed countries, writers, academics, comedians, filmmakers, journalists and
intellectuals continuously and publicly respond to, discuss and criticise their society
via art, cultural and social criticism. There is often violent but transformative public
debate with establishment figures. But our entire state cultural apparatus and notions
of culture were pointedly designed, and are rigidly managed, to not be that. Our
whole notion of culture is dedicated to the ludicrous notion that it is Carnival and
celebration. Because of this, the occupation of territory by Carnival that books,
visual and cinematic art, plays, social and cultural criticism should own is so
complete, it is embedded in the educational system and has warped social
consciousness. Education is subverted and unable to provide the values which, in
other countries, effect social change. It isn’t accidental. The purpose of Trini
national culture, to paraphrase Martha Nussbaum, has historically been to encourage
the population to not see the complexity of human experience, and literally reduce it
to song and dance. This is the reality of post-independence PNM culture. Its aim was
to socially engineer a generation to accept and even celebrate lying, corruption, and
exploitation as an acceptable way of life while simultaneously crying for morality
and transparency.” Raymond Ramcharitar, Trinidad Guardian “Gay Ol' Trinidad”
24 May, 2013
Human Rights in the Caribbean
● Genocide of Indigenous persons
● Slavery
● Haitian Revolution
● Indentureship
● Universal Declaration of Human Rights
● Cuban Revolution
● Independent nation building and Republics
Caribbean cultural relativism
● Rights of women and girls
– Abortion
– Marriage/Property
– Recognition of unwaged work
– Rape culture (“she is a lady she should expect
that”)
– Rights of children
● Democracy?
● LGBT Equality
Caribbean on beating children in schools
Beating children in schools (Guyana)
● “Education Minister Priya Manickchand says while she is personally
against corporal punishment being administered in schools many parents
do not see such disciplining as abuse and hence the need for
consultations”. (Stabroek News 10 Aug, 2012)
● “..But Opposition Leader, David Granger, said, that the Government is
making a mockery of the issue since it has signed onto an international
treaty against the use of corporal punishment in schools. Granger said, he
and his household does not believe in corporal punishment and that the
consultations should have taken place before signing on to the treaty.”
(Capitol News 04 October, 2012)
● “Admittedly, there is a strong case for the abolishment of corporal
punishment because of the physical and emotional pain it causes. And
there is a tendency to blindly follow the policies of other countries,
particularly those of the advanced countries. This is where the danger lies
because what may be effective in one society may not necessarily be
effective in others. “( Guyana Chronicle Editorial 27 Sept, 2012)
It is not our culture Human Rights Culture in Guyana and the Caribbean
It is not our culture Human Rights Culture in Guyana and the Caribbean
Caribbean on LGBT Equality
Gay rights in the Caribbean
● In Jamaica , shift from “No gays in my Cabinet (PM Golding in 2008) to "Our
administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be
discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide the
protection.. (PM Miller – Nov 2011)
● In Dominica “The government’s position in relation to this matter is stated in law and
this matter is still on our books and will remain there for the foreseeable future,” . “I
don’t think any compelling argument can be made for it to be repealed.” PM Skerrit –
May 2013)
● In Belize, First Lady Kim Barrow speaks out on Intl Day against Homophobia (2013),
while the National Women's Commission includes sexual orientation in the gender policy
● In Trinidad & Tobago, the Minister with responsibility for gender listens to the religious
persons and does not acknowledge sexual orientation issues in the National Gender
Policy (2013).
● Constitutional challenges in Jamaica, Guyana and Belize (2013)
It is not our culture Human Rights Culture in Guyana and the Caribbean
It is not our culture Human Rights Culture in Guyana and the Caribbean
Children vs LGBT
● It is our culture to preserve the colonial laws of beating children and
homophobia in 10 places : Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada,
Guyana, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts & Nevis,
St Vincent & Grenadines, St Lucia
● It is our culture to beat our children in schools, and to accept LGBT
in 15 places : Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, The Bahamas, Saba,
Statia, St Barts, BVI, USVI, Bermuda, Montserrat, TCI, St Martin,
Martinique, Guadelope
● It is our culture to not accept homosexuals in Belize, and not to beat
our children in schools
● It is our culture to not beat children and to not legally prohibit same
sex relations 6 places : Suriname, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, Curacao
Cultural Relativism
● “No one may invoke cultural diversity to infringe upon
human rights guaranteed by international law, nor limit their
scope.” UNESCO 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural
Diversity
● “The ultimate vision of the Coalition is a healthy Jamaican
society. We believe this entails physical, emotional, spiritual
and mental health. Furthermore, this health rests on a nation-
wide understanding, support and realization of Judeo-
Christian beliefs as delineated in the Bible.” Charter of the
Jamaica Coalition for a Health Society Charter
Cultural Relativism - Guyana
“The undersigned organizations in their representative capacities as part of the
approximately 57% Christian community of the Co-operative Republic of
Guyana express their concerns and offer clarity on the issues of rights of
homosexuals and proposed legislative reform which advances the “cause” of
lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgenders [LBGT]... The interrelatedness and
interdependency of humanity demands that we appreciate the need and
value for principles, morals and standards that enable the holistic well-
being of all... As the Servants of the Living God, we implore you, Honorable
Members of the Tenth Parliament of Guyana, not to pursue the
decriminalization of homosexuality. .. We are conscious of the political and
economic pressure that you may experience or are experiencing and as
such encourage you to: (i) preserve the sovereignty of our nation
and (ii) preserve the integrity of family life which continues to be the bedrock
of our society “ Statement by the Christian Community in Guyana 2012
Culture – Catholic Church
“Sadly, especially in the West, one frequently encounters ambiguities about the
meaning of human rights and their corresponding duties. “Rights are often
confused with exaggerated manifestations of the autonomy of the individual, who
becomes self-referential, no longer open to encounter with God and with others,
and absorbed only in seeking to satisfy his or her own needs. “To be authentic,
the defence of rights must instead consider human beings integrally, in their
personal and communitarian dimensions.” Pope Benedict New Year Message
2013
“ Mercifully, the Roman Catholic Church … has moved from being one of the
world’s leading, even notorious, proponents of beating school children to one of
the world’s leading institutions to have sought more civilized methods of
discipline… “(Mike James, Catholic Standard Guyana, 19 Jan, 2007)
“I wish to make it clear that the Catholic Church in Dominica adheres to the call
of the Holy See ‘to condemn all forms of violence against homosexual persons as
well as to urge all States to take necessary measures to put an end to all criminal
penalties against them’. Bishop of Roseau, Gabriel Malzaire – May 2013
Culture – Hindu Women's
Organisation
“Principal of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) High School, Swami Aksharananda
says he respects the rights of homosexuals but he will not promote or judge a
lifestyle.”Demerara Waves reporting Plain Talk, Guyana 3 Feb, 2012
Culture - Politics
● Whilst one may see the reasoning behind unnatural connection with an animal, one may be left to
wonder why should it be considered unlawful for two adult consenting males to have sexual
relations in the privacy of their homes. This may well be taking it a bit too far and the law ought to
be reconsidered. The homosexuality issue has caught Caribbean people between a rock and
a hard place. Their whole moral upbringing has been called into question. They are just not
comfortable with the idea of men caressing men and women caressing women.” Dr Lawrence
Joseph, President of the Senate of Grenada, May 2013
● Having regard to this situation it is incumbent on the Government and Opposition to boldly lead
public opinion in this matter. Our society should be liberal in outlook and socially progressive in
character. We must lead the way in the Caribbean region and lead the way in dispensing with the
outdated notion that heterosexuality is the basic premise of masculinity for the male and femininity
for the woman Negative social attitudes should be combated even if they are popular. And
where conditions exist making it is possible to do so, as in Guyana, it ought to be done.
Discrimination has no place in Guyana. The LGBT community is crying out for recognition and an
end to ridicule, violence and discrimination.
(Ralph Ramkarran, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Guyana , May 2012)
Culture - Politics
● –Sí –recuerda–, fueron momentos de una gran
injusticia, ¡una gran injusticia! –repite enfático–,
la haya hecho quien sea. Si la hicimos nosotros,
nosotros… Estoy tratando de delimitar mi
responsabilidad en todo eso porque, desde luego,
personalmente, yo no tengo ese tipo de prejuicios.
.. (Fidel Castro, 2010)
Culture - politics
● “ I have Belizeans in my party who are
homosexuals and we embrace all Belizeans.” Hon
Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition in
Belize May 2013
● “APNU does not discriminate” Hon David
Granger,Leader of the Opposition in Guyana,
November 2012
Culture – Parents after workshop
• “Very informative and I learnt a lot. Parenting is not just giving
birth.”
• “I thought the only necessity was preaching until I come here.
When I have my children I will know what to do”
• “Good to hear each other’s situation; we opened, we shared, we felt
comfortable. I did not know it all; how to deal with my children.
We will take this back to our churches. We can be bold enough to
speak to parents. Thank God I am here.”
• “The timing was perfect to be informed us all of a new
methodology of parenting. I will no longer drive fear in my
children. Over these days I have stopped ‘shutting my daughter
up’; I am giving her a chance to speak.”
Culture – Individual
“ I did a lot of soul searching and realized that there
are good people and bad people, in every race,
religion, sexual preference, whatever. It will be
hypocritical of me to dislike good people because of
their sexuality. As a Rasta, I have to be careful what
I say or do. I'm always under scrutiny... I realized
One Love is exactly that. No exceptions” Young
Rastafarian man
Culture - Individual
“I don't look to laws or treaties or conventions for a
fix. The solution, as with most problems, is change
in the education of regular people. I mentioned the
internet and mass media enabling this. Once the
population comes to the side of equality, then the
laws will either be irrelevant or fall into
righteousness.” young gay man April 2013
Questions
● Try to rework/reframe the culture?
Which/Whose culture?
● Culture is religion.. what else?
● Push for the political change? Do people listen to politicians?
● Push for legal change and the culture will evolve in response?
● Embrace treachery/treason or redefine patriotism?
● Cuss dem and call dem backward and barbaric?
● Are these the right questions?
● Where/How do we find the answers to these questions?

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It is not our culture Human Rights Culture in Guyana and the Caribbean

  • 1. “It is not our culture: Human rights culture in Guyana and the Caribbean” Vidyaratha Kissoon Caribbean Studies Association Conference 7 June 2013
  • 2. “Is whu' really yuh talkin' bout?” ● A work in progress.. ● How can we deal with the culture of beating of children in Guyana and Caribbean? ● How can we deal with the culture of homophobia in Guyana and the Caribbean? ● How can we deal with the culture of any oppression ?
  • 3. Personal interest ● Indian Guyanese Judge to Indian/Guyanese Hindu woman lawyer on the Domestic Violence Act movement – “How could you betray your culture?” ● “I did not realise you were Hindu” ● “How come you are Hindu and talking about these things?” ● “Did you live abroad? When did you return”
  • 4. What is the Caribbean?
  • 5. Caribbean Culture.. Antonio Benítez-Rojo : “Caribbeanness is a system full of noise and opacity, a nonlinear and unpredictable system. In short a chaotic system beyond the total reach of any specific kind of knowledge or interpretation of the world” via late Prof Rex Nettleford, CARIFESTA 2008
  • 8. Caribbean/T&T culture “In developed countries, writers, academics, comedians, filmmakers, journalists and intellectuals continuously and publicly respond to, discuss and criticise their society via art, cultural and social criticism. There is often violent but transformative public debate with establishment figures. But our entire state cultural apparatus and notions of culture were pointedly designed, and are rigidly managed, to not be that. Our whole notion of culture is dedicated to the ludicrous notion that it is Carnival and celebration. Because of this, the occupation of territory by Carnival that books, visual and cinematic art, plays, social and cultural criticism should own is so complete, it is embedded in the educational system and has warped social consciousness. Education is subverted and unable to provide the values which, in other countries, effect social change. It isn’t accidental. The purpose of Trini national culture, to paraphrase Martha Nussbaum, has historically been to encourage the population to not see the complexity of human experience, and literally reduce it to song and dance. This is the reality of post-independence PNM culture. Its aim was to socially engineer a generation to accept and even celebrate lying, corruption, and exploitation as an acceptable way of life while simultaneously crying for morality and transparency.” Raymond Ramcharitar, Trinidad Guardian “Gay Ol' Trinidad” 24 May, 2013
  • 9. Human Rights in the Caribbean ● Genocide of Indigenous persons ● Slavery ● Haitian Revolution ● Indentureship ● Universal Declaration of Human Rights ● Cuban Revolution ● Independent nation building and Republics
  • 10. Caribbean cultural relativism ● Rights of women and girls – Abortion – Marriage/Property – Recognition of unwaged work – Rape culture (“she is a lady she should expect that”) – Rights of children ● Democracy? ● LGBT Equality
  • 11. Caribbean on beating children in schools
  • 12. Beating children in schools (Guyana) ● “Education Minister Priya Manickchand says while she is personally against corporal punishment being administered in schools many parents do not see such disciplining as abuse and hence the need for consultations”. (Stabroek News 10 Aug, 2012) ● “..But Opposition Leader, David Granger, said, that the Government is making a mockery of the issue since it has signed onto an international treaty against the use of corporal punishment in schools. Granger said, he and his household does not believe in corporal punishment and that the consultations should have taken place before signing on to the treaty.” (Capitol News 04 October, 2012) ● “Admittedly, there is a strong case for the abolishment of corporal punishment because of the physical and emotional pain it causes. And there is a tendency to blindly follow the policies of other countries, particularly those of the advanced countries. This is where the danger lies because what may be effective in one society may not necessarily be effective in others. “( Guyana Chronicle Editorial 27 Sept, 2012)
  • 15. Caribbean on LGBT Equality
  • 16. Gay rights in the Caribbean ● In Jamaica , shift from “No gays in my Cabinet (PM Golding in 2008) to "Our administration believes in protecting the human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Government should provide the protection.. (PM Miller – Nov 2011) ● In Dominica “The government’s position in relation to this matter is stated in law and this matter is still on our books and will remain there for the foreseeable future,” . “I don’t think any compelling argument can be made for it to be repealed.” PM Skerrit – May 2013) ● In Belize, First Lady Kim Barrow speaks out on Intl Day against Homophobia (2013), while the National Women's Commission includes sexual orientation in the gender policy ● In Trinidad & Tobago, the Minister with responsibility for gender listens to the religious persons and does not acknowledge sexual orientation issues in the National Gender Policy (2013). ● Constitutional challenges in Jamaica, Guyana and Belize (2013)
  • 19. Children vs LGBT ● It is our culture to preserve the colonial laws of beating children and homophobia in 10 places : Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & Grenadines, St Lucia ● It is our culture to beat our children in schools, and to accept LGBT in 15 places : Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, The Bahamas, Saba, Statia, St Barts, BVI, USVI, Bermuda, Montserrat, TCI, St Martin, Martinique, Guadelope ● It is our culture to not accept homosexuals in Belize, and not to beat our children in schools ● It is our culture to not beat children and to not legally prohibit same sex relations 6 places : Suriname, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, Curacao
  • 20. Cultural Relativism ● “No one may invoke cultural diversity to infringe upon human rights guaranteed by international law, nor limit their scope.” UNESCO 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity ● “The ultimate vision of the Coalition is a healthy Jamaican society. We believe this entails physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health. Furthermore, this health rests on a nation- wide understanding, support and realization of Judeo- Christian beliefs as delineated in the Bible.” Charter of the Jamaica Coalition for a Health Society Charter
  • 21. Cultural Relativism - Guyana “The undersigned organizations in their representative capacities as part of the approximately 57% Christian community of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana express their concerns and offer clarity on the issues of rights of homosexuals and proposed legislative reform which advances the “cause” of lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgenders [LBGT]... The interrelatedness and interdependency of humanity demands that we appreciate the need and value for principles, morals and standards that enable the holistic well- being of all... As the Servants of the Living God, we implore you, Honorable Members of the Tenth Parliament of Guyana, not to pursue the decriminalization of homosexuality. .. We are conscious of the political and economic pressure that you may experience or are experiencing and as such encourage you to: (i) preserve the sovereignty of our nation and (ii) preserve the integrity of family life which continues to be the bedrock of our society “ Statement by the Christian Community in Guyana 2012
  • 22. Culture – Catholic Church “Sadly, especially in the West, one frequently encounters ambiguities about the meaning of human rights and their corresponding duties. “Rights are often confused with exaggerated manifestations of the autonomy of the individual, who becomes self-referential, no longer open to encounter with God and with others, and absorbed only in seeking to satisfy his or her own needs. “To be authentic, the defence of rights must instead consider human beings integrally, in their personal and communitarian dimensions.” Pope Benedict New Year Message 2013 “ Mercifully, the Roman Catholic Church … has moved from being one of the world’s leading, even notorious, proponents of beating school children to one of the world’s leading institutions to have sought more civilized methods of discipline… “(Mike James, Catholic Standard Guyana, 19 Jan, 2007) “I wish to make it clear that the Catholic Church in Dominica adheres to the call of the Holy See ‘to condemn all forms of violence against homosexual persons as well as to urge all States to take necessary measures to put an end to all criminal penalties against them’. Bishop of Roseau, Gabriel Malzaire – May 2013
  • 23. Culture – Hindu Women's Organisation “Principal of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) High School, Swami Aksharananda says he respects the rights of homosexuals but he will not promote or judge a lifestyle.”Demerara Waves reporting Plain Talk, Guyana 3 Feb, 2012
  • 24. Culture - Politics ● Whilst one may see the reasoning behind unnatural connection with an animal, one may be left to wonder why should it be considered unlawful for two adult consenting males to have sexual relations in the privacy of their homes. This may well be taking it a bit too far and the law ought to be reconsidered. The homosexuality issue has caught Caribbean people between a rock and a hard place. Their whole moral upbringing has been called into question. They are just not comfortable with the idea of men caressing men and women caressing women.” Dr Lawrence Joseph, President of the Senate of Grenada, May 2013 ● Having regard to this situation it is incumbent on the Government and Opposition to boldly lead public opinion in this matter. Our society should be liberal in outlook and socially progressive in character. We must lead the way in the Caribbean region and lead the way in dispensing with the outdated notion that heterosexuality is the basic premise of masculinity for the male and femininity for the woman Negative social attitudes should be combated even if they are popular. And where conditions exist making it is possible to do so, as in Guyana, it ought to be done. Discrimination has no place in Guyana. The LGBT community is crying out for recognition and an end to ridicule, violence and discrimination. (Ralph Ramkarran, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Guyana , May 2012)
  • 25. Culture - Politics ● –Sí –recuerda–, fueron momentos de una gran injusticia, ¡una gran injusticia! –repite enfático–, la haya hecho quien sea. Si la hicimos nosotros, nosotros… Estoy tratando de delimitar mi responsabilidad en todo eso porque, desde luego, personalmente, yo no tengo ese tipo de prejuicios. .. (Fidel Castro, 2010)
  • 26. Culture - politics ● “ I have Belizeans in my party who are homosexuals and we embrace all Belizeans.” Hon Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition in Belize May 2013 ● “APNU does not discriminate” Hon David Granger,Leader of the Opposition in Guyana, November 2012
  • 27. Culture – Parents after workshop • “Very informative and I learnt a lot. Parenting is not just giving birth.” • “I thought the only necessity was preaching until I come here. When I have my children I will know what to do” • “Good to hear each other’s situation; we opened, we shared, we felt comfortable. I did not know it all; how to deal with my children. We will take this back to our churches. We can be bold enough to speak to parents. Thank God I am here.” • “The timing was perfect to be informed us all of a new methodology of parenting. I will no longer drive fear in my children. Over these days I have stopped ‘shutting my daughter up’; I am giving her a chance to speak.”
  • 28. Culture – Individual “ I did a lot of soul searching and realized that there are good people and bad people, in every race, religion, sexual preference, whatever. It will be hypocritical of me to dislike good people because of their sexuality. As a Rasta, I have to be careful what I say or do. I'm always under scrutiny... I realized One Love is exactly that. No exceptions” Young Rastafarian man
  • 29. Culture - Individual “I don't look to laws or treaties or conventions for a fix. The solution, as with most problems, is change in the education of regular people. I mentioned the internet and mass media enabling this. Once the population comes to the side of equality, then the laws will either be irrelevant or fall into righteousness.” young gay man April 2013
  • 30. Questions ● Try to rework/reframe the culture? Which/Whose culture? ● Culture is religion.. what else? ● Push for the political change? Do people listen to politicians? ● Push for legal change and the culture will evolve in response? ● Embrace treachery/treason or redefine patriotism? ● Cuss dem and call dem backward and barbaric? ● Are these the right questions? ● Where/How do we find the answers to these questions?