Lisa Shoman speaks about Caribbean sex myths and the recent murder of ‘Princess’

Indira “Princess” Thompson was not murdered because of “sex rejection” or because of her “refusal to have sex with a man” (Channel 5 News).

She was not brutally stabbed because a “man came asking for sex. She refused to sleep with him” (Channel 7 News)

She was murdered because she refused to permit herself to be violated.

If you want a view of HOW this should be reported, check Renee Trujillo ‘s excellent coverage on Love News here – http://lovefm.com/…/princess-stabbed-multiple-times-on-bel…/

Ms. Trujillo reports it as it should be – a human tragedy.

Sex as a construct in the Caribbean accepts that violence or male domination is a norm. That it is normal for a man to “strong it” or “tek it” – and for a woman to “give it”.

One of our own successful female artists sings “beat me like a bully” and the type of corporal punishment she references is sexual. Normal. Sexy. Desirable.

Our sexual mythology leads our boys to believe that real men must wrest sex from “females” to be a man. And it teaches our girls that this is normal – sexy and desirable, even.

What we lose in the result, is the joy of sex, the sheer human interaction which is deep and meaningful. What we gain is a culture of violence and wanton disregard for the dignity and humanity of another.

When we lose individually- we all lose and no amount of law-making, marching, vigils with or without candles or social media handwringing will cure that.

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.