Letter to the Editor
Taking a 'close-up' at thatHuman Rights Bill
Dear Sir,
As a Caymanian studying abroad,I have greatly enjoyed recommending our beautiful nation to peopleas a wonderful place to both work and play in.
For many months now, however, I have had to hang my head in shameas I have read the ridiculous ravings of pseudo-Christians denouncingquite vocally the Human Rights Bill passed by the British Government.
Many times I have felt the need to speak out, but never have,for fear of being alienated by my fellow Caymanians. Pamela DaCosta'sletter is the final straw.
Firstly, 'It's A Wonderful Life' stars James Stewart, and is awell-beloved Christmas tale about a man who realises that hislife touches everyone's in a positive way.
The movie to which Ms. DaCosta refers is actually 'Life Is Beautiful'.And it wasn't a true story.
Secondly, I'd like to relate a little bit of history. Do you recallthe year 1807? That was in many ways the beginning of Human Rightslaw in Britain. That year, the government ended slavery. Fromthen, it moved to allowing a married woman to own property inher own right, allowing women to vote, and allowing people ofany religion to practice as they so choose.
At every turn, and for every conceivable reason, people claimingto be Christian and not wanting to upset the status-quo, ridiculedthese movements as being against the will of God. The very nationthat has given both myself and Ms. DaCosta an education once referredto the education of women as against the will of God, since Godwanted women to be quiet and obedient -- women were too sinfulto handle "extremely intellectual" matters like additionor subtraction.
Of course, it is always much easier to point the finger to otheratrocities while ignoring the ways in which we can improve ourselves.
Idi Amin was a terrible man who performed horrible acts. Thatwill never be denied. His actions, however, can and should neverbe used to excuse ourselves from doing what we can to make oursociety a better place.
The violations of Human Rights in Cayman are not glaring. Thereis no torture that we know of, nor ethnic cleansing. The HumanRights Bill, however, is intended to protect what little rightswe have.
What would happen if an unassuming ex-artist was elected to thegovernment, and then proceeded to quietly take control of theentire Legislative Assembly? What if this person was an atheist,and in a few short years decided to outlaw baptism; then outlawedreading the Bible in public; then anyone who was Catholic; thenChristianity? And then, since there would be no one to seriouslyoppose him, he started to kill anyone who spoke out against him?
Think this could never happen? Ever heard of Adolf Hitler? Theheart of the matter is this [for all of you who oppose this HumanRights Bill, pay attention. I'm only going to say it once]: WhenHitler first began his march against the Jews, Christians andhomosexuals, no one stopped him. When Idi Amin began his reignof terror by quietly killing people who "didn't matter",no one said a word.
The Human Rights Bill is not there to punish mass murderers, butto set clear guidelines about what behaviour will not be tolerated.Hatred of any form or kind cannot be allowed to fester or spreadin society. Hatred of Christians, hatred of Caymanians, hatredof homosexuals, all boil down to the same thing -- you are sayingthat someone's life is less important than yours, and that youhave the ability, no, the right to control them. Who gave youthat right? Why should you be able to do that? The Bible? Nope.It says "Judge not, lest ye be judged".
Go ahead and bar the Human Rights Bill. Say hateful things abouthomosexuals. But the day that someone starts bashing your beliefsor your practices, make sure you say nothing. You speak out againstsomeone else's rights, and you might as well hand in yours. Noone else will be willing to support you in your time of need.
Angelina Whiteman
Overseas-based Caymanian.