Asami

Asami

ASAMI NAGAKIYA (R). (FACEBOOK/MARIAH RODRIGUEZ) http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/02/12/mayor-ignites-outrage-by-blaming-womans-carnival-killing-on-lewd-behavior/ 

Asami Nagakiya, Japanese national pan player, came to the city of Port of Spain as a participant and was found dead. The mayor Tim Kee when questioned on the issue made comments “You know before Carnival I did make a comment about vulgarity and lewdness in the conduct and you know, some question was asked by one of the smart media people when I spoke of the things that I see some women do, assisted by men of course. But the woman has the responsibility to ensure that they are not abused.” He then continues saying “When I heard that news this morning (yesterday), I know you would have tourists that would come here who are strangers here and may not be aware of all the risks of doing certain things. In the Savannah over there – it’s somewhere by the Savannah, right? So then you have to let your imagination roll a bit and figure out was there any evidence of resistance or did alcohol control” alluded to Asami being sexually assaulted in a possibly drunken state in her skimpy carnival costume when she was found.

The city as a manifestation of society, the happenings of the city as a manifestation of our collective thought (Amin, 1997). There were proponents as well as there were opponents of the statements made by the then Mayor. It would seem that our urban synecdoche is murder and misogyny as Port of Spain and environs is the setting for murders and the stage which misogynist expound their problematic ideas but overshadowed by the grandeur of such preposterous events are groups that advocate for an end to violence and gender based discrimination. The protests that ensued afterwards provided the necessary pressure to remove at least one misogynist and voice outcries to and from the wider society against gender based violence. At a vigil held in Woodford Square for victims of domestic violence a group of men and women came together to remember the lives of the lost women and discuss issues surrounding gender in our society. There were victims of abuse present and they said the lack of support by the state to mediate conflicts before and during abuse and/or protect these women from their abusers after they have removed themselves from the harmful environment. It is all coming together now because if our representatives make statements in public forms as boldly as the then mayor did with little condemnation from his peers then no wonder there is a lack of support for these women at state institutions.

“Cities will be both instrument and goal for further human development, once fixed.” (Mumford, 1938)

For centuries, the world divided human beings into two groups and then proceeded to exclude and oppress one group. It is only fair that the solution to the problem should acknowledge that. (Adichie, 2012). We blame the victim because if we actually look at the culprit it means looking in the mirror or having to take the time to critically assess the system that we have created ourselves. It would mean admitting wrongs we have committed for generations in family development, education and the judicial system. Ultimately it is our pride you see.

References

Adichie, C. 2012. TEDxEuston (transcript) ‘We should all be Feminists’. Vialouge.

Ghouralal, D. 2012. Carnival Death: Tim Kee says women must protect themselves from abuse. LoopTT. http://www.looptt.com/content/tim-kee-women-protect-yourself-abuse .

Mumford, L. 1938. The Culture of Cities. Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York.

Women in the World Staff. 2016. Mayor Ignites Outrage by blaming Woman’s Carnival Killing on Lewd Behaviour. NYTlive. http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2016/02/12/mayor-ignites-outrage-by-blaming-womans-carnival-killing-on-lewd-behavior/ .