What’s Trending:Bitter memories for Myrie

Thu, April 26, 2012 - 2:23 PM

The Nation’s Online Editor Carol Martindale looks at What’s Trending today in Barbados.

Jamaican alleged finger-rape victim Shanique Myrie says a flood of bitter memories fell on her like a ton of bricks on her return to Barbados recently when she returned to take her case to the case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

While she was relieved that she will be given her day in court, the return to the island where she claimed she was bad-mouthed, subjected to a dehumanising cavity search, and locked up in a cold, dank room before being booted out of the country, brought back sordid memories of her ordeal.

Myrie said every Barbadian inside the terminal dropped what they were doing, went over to where she was and stared at her. Some colder and harder than others. "Everybody came to look at me. Some 'cut' their eyes, while others just stared coldly. I felt like a victim, like a criminal..." she said.

After reading her report which was carried in the Jamaica Observer, some of our online readers commented on some of her comments.

Kamalu Parris: She just ain’t know Bajans. Bajans cold stare everyone.”

Anderson Allman: “Why would I go to court to get to stay in a uncivilized country.”

Jimmy Alexander: “What does she expect?”

Cheryl Grannum: “I sure didn't know she was coming, therefore all Barbados as quoted can't be aware of her arrival.”

Enam Swce Idrissa: “What I like about the whole thing is the CCJ use. What I do not like is everything else. Bajans are by and large xenophobic (shame really), a trait truly manifested upon hearing accents from our regional neighbours , worse still if the accents are Guyanese or Jamaican. Our law enforcement agencies, can be at times very harsh and judgmental and take out pent up emotions on people, local or not. …”

Mesha James Sisnett: “True we can be xenophobic but to be quite honest, we are not the only people who are like that as evidenced by the Caribbean island which I am in right now…”

Ryan Kellman: “No one knew she was here until the picture was in the paper the next day. I am giving her the benefit of the doubt until the trial is over..”

Janine Greaves: "Yes we are 'ordinary' we don't have the amount of gangs, drugs, political corruption. So yes we like out 'board houses and zinc fences'. If you disliked our rock so much stay out, you are notwelcomed.

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