View of a pastor’s wife

We know how to downplay the lewd behaviour of our artistes at Carnival time when they give graphic instructions of how to do everything sexual and this is displayed on the television and print media. Graphic displays are held in the eyes of the public and yet we do not condemn. Our youth are fed a very “healthy” diet of sex, sex and more sex.

In almost every school students have this as a hidden subject that they are taught and pass with flying colours daily. And before we go off thinking that this is the crime let me hasten to ensure you that when we lie, cheat, steal and show them how to gamble — legally — we should not be amazed when we reap the “benefits.”

When we allow uncontrolled access to the internet and ultimately porn sites, when we allow children to use cell phones on which they can download pictures of porn and sometimes even screen savers that are pornographic without putting checks and balances in place. We as a nation are causing our children and young people to die daily when we display these attitudes. When we lie in wait for those who cannot speak for themselves like Akiel Chambers, Sean Luke, Amy and of course her mother, because the real abuse began with her own mother having her at age 15.

Everyone in a community sometimes knows who is doing the criminal acts, but yet we stay quiet. When will we learn to display our talent of the gift of gab to bring about justice in our land and not wait for something to happen to the pastor daughter — because that appears to be where we have the problem, before we speak up.

By the way I personally know of quite a few pastors’ daughters who are contributing daily to positive lifestyles in their communities, but that may never make the news because like Laventille where I live bad news sells and no one is really interested in the good of the land and being an agent of positive change!

ARLENE TAPPIN-CAINES

(A Pastor’s wife and mother of a pastor’s daughter)