What should have been a proud celebration of Jamaica’s independence has somehow been reduced, in some corners of social media, to a competition between two Black women and the dresses they wore to the Independence Grand Gala. That is unfortunate, unnecessary and, quite frankly, beneath us.
The Prime Minister’s wife and the wife of the Leader of the Opposition are two beautiful Black women. Why must one woman be torn down for another to be praised? Why has a national celebration become an excuse to decide whose dress was better, who looked better, or which woman is supposedly more worthy of admiration? And there is an even bigger issue that cannot simply be ignored.
For some time, the Prime Minister’s wife has been subjected to an ugly level of personal ridicule and disrespect from some PNP supporters. Political disagreement is one thing. Personal degradation is another.
She is not merely “the Prime Minister’s wife.” She is a public figure in her own right and serves as Speaker of the House of Representatives. By all means, scrutinize her decisions. Challenge her politics. Criticize her performance in public office. That comes with public life.
But what does attacking her appearance have to do with good governance? What does mocking how a Black woman looks have to do with holding a government accountable?
And how does putting another Black woman beside her and declaring one more beautiful, better dressed, or more “classy” elevate our political discourse? It doesn’t. It simply reveals how quickly political tribalism can descend into something mean-spirited and deeply personal.
The wife of the Opposition Leader should not be turned into a political weapon against the Prime Minister’s wife either. Compliment her dress. Celebrate her beauty. Appreciate how she presented herself at the Grand Gala. But why must the compliment come with an insult directed at another woman?
Two women can walk into the same national event looking beautiful without Jamaica having to crown a winner and humiliate a loser.
This obsession with comparing women—particularly two prominent Black Jamaican women—sends an awful message. We cannot preach about uplifting women and then participate in tearing one down because we dislike the political party associated with her husband.
PNP supporters should be able to celebrate their leadership without degrading the Prime Minister’s wife. JLP supporters should likewise be able to defend and celebrate her without insulting the Opposition Leader’s wife. Politics does not require cruelty.
The Independence Grand Gala is supposed to celebrate Jamaica—our culture, our achievements, our people, and our national pride. If the biggest takeaway some people could find was an opportunity to pit two beautifully dressed Black women against each other, perhaps the problem was never the dresses. Perhaps the problem is what political tribalism is doing to us.
There is enough room in Jamaica for both women to be beautiful, elegant, and respected. Celebrate one without tearing down the other. That should not be difficult.
Contributed by Anthony Fisher
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| Anthony Fisher |
Anthony Fisher attended Frome Technical High and Illinois State University. He has a BSc in Mass Media. A former videographer at the Jamaica Information Service, he is now a multimedia communication specialist at the University of Illinois.
Anthony is a member of the diaspora who continues to show keen interest in Jamaica. We appreciate members of the diaspora supporting Bark Di Trute.
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| Garfield Lee |
Former JLP councillor, Garfield Lee has died. His funeral was today. He was a former board member of the JCDC.
Fay Theresa 'Terry' Browning has also died. She is the wife of well-known stage lights provider Claff Browning.
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