So today I realized a dream

I've always wanted to be published by both major publications on the same day about two different issues and today was that day!

Why does Clovis make gays look effeminate?

Friday, July 22, 2011

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/Why-does-Clovis-make-gays-look-effeminate-_9272935

Dear Editor,

Certain people in your editorial department may find Clovis's caricatures to be humorous, salient, poignant or whatever positive adjective is usually applied to good journalism, and especially good satire, but for quite a while now it would appear that he has fallen off the wagon and hit his head.

For instance, his insistence on typifying gay men as bleach-faced, cross-dressing, hideously unattractive, deformed and lobotomised may illicit belly laughter from those in the newsroom, but civil society is beginning to grow sick of this insensitivity.

These mis-characterisations are not novel to Clovis as he has gleefully reduced many notable Jamaicans to vulgar market vendors, witch doctors, and bald-headed crypt-keepers, so much so that one is usually left with the impression that he has left the realm of satire and gone into what seems like vitriolic personal attacks. This, of course, betrays the most basic of tenets governing journalism and one would hope that the editor would take the executive decision as a responsible journalist and refuse to publish such drivel or push Clovis to be more creative. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that such a conversation has ever taken place.

Especially in the case of his most recent typification of gay men as weak, effete headcases, he has done the community a great disservice. He must be made to elevate his creativity and become more aware of his personal responsibility to illuminate the minds of the wider community or give up journalism and go and illustrate comic books or write graffiti.

Brian-Paul N Welsh

brianpaul.welsh@gmail.com

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/Why-does-Clovis-make-gays-look-effeminate-_9272935#ixzz1SqAxrHiZ

Seivwright must grow up, show political maturity

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Delano Seiveright's recent pronouncements speaking ill of the media, in general, and certain political commentators, specifically, should be seen as an attack on democracy and press freedom.

In his effort to elevate his political presence in the public eye, he has once more treaded into murky and dangerous waters where the only way to stop himself from drowning is to put his foot into his mouth immediately.

I was not aware that a political persuasion not in keeping with G2K's or the JLP's status quo precluded one from having a political opinion and voicing it in the public sphere. Perhaps what Mr Seiveright is really saying is that dissent is not tolerated in the nation he and his colleagues wish to bring to fruition.

This is along the same vein as his previous faux pas where he expressed a desire to expunge PNP supporters from government ministries as he accused them of espionage and not acting in the interest of the nation.

Mr Seiveright must be made to appreciate that if everyone is speaking with the same voice, democracy is failing. He needs to learn this sooner rather than later before his political aspirations are further mired in controversy, naiveté, and sycophancy.

BRIAN-PAUL N. WELSH

brianpaul.welsh@gmail.com

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110722/letters/letters5.html

It feels good!