A letter printed in a weekly newspaper chastises black citizens for not supporting the great, yes, and wait...internationally celebrated Jack Warner. The writer further went on to pull Bill Cosby’s name into our lack of love and support. For these men, according to him, are our black exemplars!
How insulting to the real exemplars that abound, men like Ulric Cross, Bob Yorke, Noel Joseph, Shaka Hislop, Wayne Fredrick. These men have faced financial hurdles, personal tragedy and untold challenges without losing our respect and admiration. I am quite sure that their children continue to look up to them as mentors. Can the same be said of Jack Warner and Bill Cosby?
For Cosby, we were all taken in by this 'wonderful' dad of such character. But sir, he has admitted with no apology, to drugging and molesting young women over many years, knowing fully well how hard it is for his ugly behaviour to be reported, far less taken seriously.
I cry for my sisters, aunts, mothers and friends unknown, who have faced the brutality of abuse. Heroines like Allyson Hezekiah (RIP), Hazel Brown, Attilah Springer, Roxanne Palmiste, Ena Garcia, (those are just a few) who use their pens, their voices, their strength, even in times of weakness....who pick up the raped, the abused and the abandoned, who take away the pain and cradle our sisters in honest care. These people, sir, are our mentors and I am horrified you can put someone like Bill Cosby up for the award of our admiration.
Kathryn Stollmeyer Wight
Maraval