The remarks, effectively victim-blaming, would be controversial at any time. The surprisingly oft-expressed notion that a woman who is sexually assaulted and attacked brought it on herself because of how she dressed is offensive, and not just to women. That the comments were offered in reaction to the death of woman on the Savannah stumbled several league beyond tone-deafness, to the point of outrageousness.
Tributes to the late Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya have been fulsome and warm, mourning the loss of a well-liked young woman. Some concerns were expressed about what her murder does to Trinidad and Tobago’s international reputation, coming as it did on the day of the country’s cultural high point and main cultural export, its carnival.
However the overwhelming sense was of the loss of a beautiful soul, who had made many friends and embraced T&T distinctive musical art form as if it were her own. That she was Japanese seemed not to have been noticed that much. Friends and fellow pannists remembered her for who she was, rather than where she’d come from.
The exception to the well-pitched round of tributes and commiserations was Port-of-Spain mayor, Raymond Tim Kee, whose comments in reaction to her death were insensitive and crass. Invited to react to the discovery of the still-to-be-identified body early Wednesday, Tim Kee referred to earlier remarks, in which he’d warned against what he regarded as public lewdness by women scantily clad in carnival costumes.
“I spoke of what I see women do, assisted by men of course, but the woman has responsibility that they ensure that they are not abused”, he ventured.
So far, so out of context. Remember that he was commenting on the discovery of the body of a reveller still clad in her mas costume. He went on: “You have to let your imagination roll a bit and figure out if there was any evidence of resistance, or alcohol control and therefore involuntary actions were engaged in and so on.”
The remarks, effectively victim-blaming, would be controversial at any time. The surprisingly oft-expressed notion that a woman who is sexually assaulted and attacked brought it on herself because of how she dressed is offensive, and not just to women. That the comments were offered in reaction to the death of woman on the Savannah stumbled several league beyond tone-deafness, to the point of outrageousness.
Social media has been unforgiving, scornful and incredulous. Many wanted to know how a man such in a critical leadership position not see that victim-blaming, albeit ill-judged rather than malicious, was precisely the wrong sentiment to express at this time? It was read by many—on social media by women in particular but not exclusively—as Mr Tim Kee implying that Ms Nagakiya had been responsible for the violence that was perpetrated against her.
Not just at Carnival time but at all through the year, many women are harassed, assaulted and abused and these attacks have nothing to do with what their behaviour, or their clothing. There is no plausible defence for glossing over attacks of this nature, and, albeit unintentionally, offering as an excuse what the woman wore, or being judgmental about it. Somewhere in his awfully expressed reaction is a message to woman (and men) to take care with their personal safety at carnival time. Nevertheless, public outrage is justified, and calls for his removal are understandable.
Mr Tim Kee’s apology seemed to make things worse. He ended up doubling down on his earlier remarks, stating that some people agreed with what he had to say. He said his remarks had been taken out of context. He should apologise, again, clearly, without reservation or equivocation.