What was Minister Clarke thinking?

By Garth A. Rattray

At first sight of the picture of the very senior parliamentarian, seventy-something-year-old Minister of Government all hunched over and dominantly 'daggering' a willing female in some sort of gathering place, I could not believe my eyes. Obviously, I am not nearly as liberal-minded as I thought.

But then my mind went back to February 2009 when the 'daggering dance' and music became so vulgar, perverse and so prolific that the Jamaica Broadcasting Commission imposed a ban on, "any recording, live song or music video which promotes the act of 'daggering', or which makes reference to, or is otherwise suggestive of 'daggering'."

'Daggering' is a uniquely Jamaican word emanating from the dancehall culture used to describe a so-called dance that simulates hardcore sex acts. The moves are so explicit and rhythmic that they are akin to 'dry humping' (the overt simulation of or attempt at sexual intercourse while fully dressed).

So you can imagine my shock and consternation at seeing the honourable minister caught "having fun" in public by juxtaposing his anterior to the posterior of a woman flexed at the waist. He appeared to be so engrossed in the 'daggering' that he had a grasp on the woman's shoulder and his right heel was elevated in an effort to attain better alignment and resultant stimulation...eeyeew!

Then I wondered, what on Earth prompted the honourable minister of government to do such a thing in public? He was not 'daggering' her behind closed doors; it was in full view of all and sundry. If he was 'daggering' her in private then that would strictly be between him and her.

He was not engaged in a dignified and appropriate dance; 'daggering' is considered to be vulgar, exhibitionistic eroticism put to music. There is absolutely nothing decent or uplifting about it.

Could it be that the honourable minister and influential senior politician is in the habit of "having fun" by 'daggering'? If that is so, then I believe that whenever the honourable minster is overcome by the urge to 'dagger', such actions are best performed out of the public view, because everything said or done, intentionally or unintentionally, in public or accessible by the public, might by seen as acceptable public behaviour since the honourable minister does it in public.

But then it occurred to me that perhaps the honourable minister decided to play the role of the consummate politician and meld with his constituents by immersing himself into their culture.

If this is indeed the case, whether the honourable minister admits to it or not, two things bother me immensely. Lowering oneself to perform 'daggering' in the public domain in a desperate effort designed to appease the masses is condescending to them and constitutes a selling out of one's personal convictions (assuming that one still possesses personal convictions after so many years in politics). Any thinking constituent will see straight through such an embarrassing attempt at deception.

Elevate the masses

And, if the honourable minister wishes to be the leader, that an honourable minister ought to be, he should have sought to elevate the masses by partaking in a more appropriate method of public merriment other than the vulgar, sexual and sensual approximation of extremely private parts save for a precious few millimetres of cloth...eeyeew!

If individuals, even honourable minsters of government, want to do the 'helicopter', 'jack-hammer', 'pedal and wheel', 'wheelbarrow', 'lizard lap', 'daggering' or whatever else in private then that is their prerogative. However, things done outside of intimate quarters must reflect the decorum expected of one in such a high public office.

Ministers of government should always try to elevate their supporters and not simply seek to appear to be one with the masses.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com