Did we miss the moral of the story?

A DLP Candidate Dropped Out Of The General Elections Race And We Completely Missed The Point

Less than 24 hours after a female candidate for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) stepped out of a coaster bus in Londonderry, dashed past dancing cheerleaders, and landed on the DLP stage with both her arms up in the air, she was out of contention for the up-coming general elections. It seems that an audio clip, apparently a voice note with some blistering attacks went viral, as in, VIRAL viral, and had done her in. 

Following the official announcement by the DLP Political Leader, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit that the candidate was out, came talk about WHAT had done her in. Suggestions flooded in that everyone has a past and debate took over about whether or not one’s sexual history should affect their ability to lead. Oh man, we missed the point!

That said, I am not saying what was said about the individual is true. Not at all. Not even close. In Dominica, under the law, everyone is presumed innocent, and assumed to have a good reputation—a good name. One’s right to a good name is protected. And anyone who tarnishes that reputation, depriving someone the fruits of their good name is liable to be sued for it, dragged before the court to prove their allegations. And if they fail to do so, pay for their defamation. By the way, liability extends to those who publish and seek to benefit off that libel or slander.

What I am shedding light on is the conversation that followed the debacle. That event is much deeper than one’s sexual history.

It is, I believe, more about proper decision-making. It is about sound judgment or lack thereof. In other words, it is about how your bad decisions and poor judgment can affect your career path and sometimes, your life.

So, consider this. One can say that he is free to put a tattoo on his face. And, of course he is. Or she, for that matter. But, don’t expect to be eligible for ANY career. Don’t expect to get work in a bank, for example.

That is not about your FREEDOM to do anything. Nope, it’s about a DECISION that is now or later, sometimes years later, responsible for altering, even curtailing your career options and as a result, your life. 

Politics, let’s be clear, is a career. 

And here’s the thing that we should teach and learn, just because you have the freedom to do something does not mean that you SHOULD do it. That’s what distinguishes who is a good decision-maker and who isn’t. That’s how a society can tell who has sound judgment and who doesn’t. Furthermore, when people are elevated to leadership roles, SELECTED for leadership positions, it is critical that they are able to make wise decisions. We should know, or believe that they have that ability. For all of our sakes.

Over and over again in Dominica, WE completely miss out on opportunities to learn and/or teach vital lessons. Instead, we focus on basic “ish.” It’s as if we are afraid to learn something tough or teach something difficult. It seems, as a society, we’d much rather stay on the surface—where it feels comfortable for our consciences.

Signed Mrs. KBA