RELIGION-BARBADOS: Stepping up the Fight Against Immorality

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Cara Mason

BRIDGETOWN, May 14 1998 (IPS) - Twenty-eight year-old Sophia Lorraine Headley, a mother of two, was recently charged by police here with indecent exposure at the popular adult nightclub “21 and Up” located in the heart of the capital city.

A policeman told the courts he saw Headley on stage dancing before a crowd of about 200 persons almost in the nude.

Headley, pleaded guilty to the charge, when she, along with Sheldene O’Hara Hinds, 29; Sheron Patricia Babb, 27; and Charmaine Cleopatra Mars, 22 appeared before the law courts charged with openly, lewdly and indecently exposing themselves at the nightclub. Hinds, Babb and Mars all pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Barbadians found guilty of indecent exposure are liable on conviction before a Magistrate to a fine of just under 2,000 dollars or imprisonment for two years or both.

The legal aspect aside, however, these are the kinds of incidents which are having many Barbadians worried about what they are calling the “moral decay” in the country.

And a group, comprising ordinary citizens and religious leaders are on a campaign to rid the country of this kind of behaviour.

In addition to the way these dancers perform on stage the group, which is headed by Minister of Religion, Lucille Baird also wants to see a change in the way women are portrayed in the media.

That group has already garnered support throughout the 11 parishes in the island and a petition against vulgarity, with about 1,000 signatures, has been presented to the Prime Minister Owen Arthur, Attorney General David Simmons, Commissioner of Police Grantley Watson and managers of media houses.

“I appreciate your coming out and taking a stand on this. More voices are needed to speak up. I support you in this 100 percent, but it is also important for society to support the police in how we try to handle the problems and issues,” says Watson.

And Opposition Leader David Thompson says there is indeed a need for voices against the level of indecency now prevailing in the country. It is these kinds of reaction which encourages Baird and her group to continue the fight.

“Something must be done. Our young people feel that acting vulgar is okay…. It is not okay. It is not okay that people from other countries can come here and curse and be vulgar on our stages,” says Baird.

She was referring to the number of Disc Jockeys from other Caribbean islands now descending on Barbados performing at the many music festivals.

“We are challenging regional entertainers to let them know that Barbados is not a dumping ground for vulgarity and garbage,” says Baird.

“Our young women and mothers are being fed strong negative messages encouraging vulgar and promiscuous behaviour,” she adds as she pleads for support for her campaign.

Head of the National Advisory Council on Women’s Affairs, Joan Williams agrees with Baird. She says the way some women are portrayed in some newspapers and magazines constitutes “an exploitation of female sexuality and can only be classified as pornography.”

“We are told there is a decline in morals and a breakdown in the family unit and as a consequence all sections of the society are being urged to assist in the rebuilding process. The paper (newspaper) should be part of the positive reinforcement of the values which are essential to rebuilding the society,” she says.

Meanwhile, Baird’s crusade against immorality has also taken her to the doors of 21 and Up. Here the doors were slammed in her face, but she refused to be discouraged and remained outside offering prayers for the nation.

She remains firm in her determination to “put an end to the moral, social and spiritual decay” of Barbados.

“We are appalled and alarmed at the level of vulgarity that is consuming Barbados. We are calling for change and a significant clean- up of this dirt and decay.

“It is quite clear that the members of the Church of God in Barbados are ready to see this nation turn around and the people return to the God of our forefathers and to a better standard spiritually, morally and socially,” says Baird.