SEX, POWER & LAWLESSNESS

Undoubtedly, much has been written under this heading and perhaps, there is not much that can be added - or so you would think if you are not a Guyanese.

But as a Guyanese, you would know that there is indeed a lot more to be said on the three words that make up the title of this post!. much, much more! Well?

Sex, some argue is overrated! Others think otherwise. No wonder then the rabid interest in the recent salaciously reported tidbits on the sexual adventures or adventurism of a highly appointed public official: none less than the personage of Guyana's Chief of Police!

The story goes something like this:

A woman in need of law enforcement intervention in a reported incident, involving, of all things, some aspect of infidelity, romance and sex, approaches this highly appointed man for such. She probably figures that at the pinnacle of law enforcement, the point regarding her distress could not be mistaken for anything else. She was apparently soothed somewhat, so much so that she accepted, from the fella' a ride home. Somehow the ride took her, not to her home, but to an establishment that was other than! There, the story records, she was forcibly raped by the highly appointed official. Apparently, as the reports stated, she was mistaken about her expectations of help!

The matter was made public, and as a result of all the pent up negative feelings about the COP, there was a public cry for JUSTICE! The woman demanded JUSTICE, the people demanded JUSTICE, and the matter was looked into by the CHIEF JUSTICE who determined that someone was wrong to suggest that the official be charged with  crime.The CJ's dispensing has resulted in more cries for JUSTICE since the people feel that everything which had transpired was, in sum, a travesty of JUSTICE!

Sex in Guyana is everybody's business! Whether it's being "worked" by the cathedral, or on Sherrif Street, or in the "bush" or, whether it's occurring in one's own home? Sadly, the society does not often react with the same level of alacrity and judicial dispensation as it does with the boldness of its curiosity!

Quite recently, there was another, yes, another (only because it seems an ongoing saga) instance of sexual digression resulting in harm, when it was reported that a local Muslim cleric had allegedly sodomised/molested some boys in his care. yet another outcry from the people, but the man seemed to have good 'contacts' he was released on bail or some such ridiculous action! In addition to this incident, there have been rape/murders and other instances of sexual digression
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And so, our society is preoccupied with sex!

But what of the approaches used by those who walk the corridors of power throughout our land? What of it you ask?

Well, isn't it the responsibility of those who hold the offices of power to set the example? Aren't they the ones who ought to be using their power to make things right? Yes? No?.....maybe is simply NOT an acceptable answer!

More often than not, and this is a sad refrain, it is those in POWER who further corrupt an already festering social sore; gleaning for themselves, sexual benefits under the guise of alcohol or misplaced concern or with the flourishing of a few dollars (hundreds or thousands) or promises of 'taking care uh yuh'! It is often those who seek an image of POWER who violate another in a feeble attempt to exert control. And, more often than not, it is the lack of belief in self, debilitated self-esteem, perceived need, or greed, that makes the victims of the bloated, distorted POWER loop! Hang on a second...There is also the need for a place in the sun that causes victims to offer themselves up sometimes unwillingly!

But wait. Is it OK to take what is offered up simply because it is?

And why not? After all, with weak laws, and the belief that 'money run tings', victims claim not to have a place to experience redress. Added to that, they often have no means to use legal avenues to gain redress.
And so while the obsession with sex continues, the Power circles consolidate around and within each other and the system runs amok on nothing even resembling autopilot!

Guyanese tend to believe that to talk a lot is to know a lot.

They will have these discussions daily. discussions about SEX, POWER and LAWLESSNESS. Yet, when called upon to act, they mostly aren't inclined to unless the issue hits them directly and squarely in the stomach - and even then, some will tell you - they feel no need to act since they feel that they have no power to do so.

Most GT people have resigned themselves to taking care of their own business! "Leh dem try deh!" is the familiar talk.

How much does it take to CURB LAWLESSNESS and HARNESS POWER for the good of all so that all can FEEL GOOD  about his/her SEX?