At the death of someone, more so as a result of murder, when there is deep sadness, grief and emotions are fragile, it is not the time for rebuke or generalisations. But would the public outcry have been the same if the Mayor of Port-of-Spain’s comments were made on a different occasion? Could it be a case of bad timing?
Is it possible that the Mayor was trying to send a message about the dangerous times in which we now live and that woman in particular, who are usually the subjects of abuse, should consciously take steps for personal safety?
While a woman may consider it her right to behave as she feels publicly, the fact is that there are sick individuals within public spaces who may interpret such behaviour as an invitation to encroach upon her person.
There was a time in the past, when a woman could count on a man to come to her rescue even if he were a stranger; when children were relatively safe in the company of adults; when citizens looked out for and warned visitors of potential dangers. But times have changed.
Perhaps the Mayor was so affected by the death of this young woman that he was seeking to warn women to heed the times and adjust accordingly. Could this be a case of timely advice but bad timing?
Phyllis Joseph,
Motivational Speaker,
Counsellor, Author