The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

GALLERIA Cinema West was filled to capacity last Thursday for the one night only screening of “I’s Man”, the new documentary on manhood in the Bahamas by producer/director Dr Ian Strachan.

“The film looks at the values that we support or encourage in terms of how males should behave and conduct themselves. It looks at how manhood is represented in media, male performance in our schools, and how the definition of manhood impacts violence and criminality in the society. We also look at some issues like marital rape, homosexuality and what difference a father makes in the Bahamian society,” said Dr Strachan, a College of the Bahamas professor.

By way of interviews with college professors, journalists, counsellors, entrepreneurs, artists and entertainers, a cross section of Bahamians contributed their views on issues surrounding manhood in the Bahamas. On screen were faces such as Nicolette Bethel, Dr Juliette Storr, Utah Taylor Rolle, Marlon Johnson, TAP, Chrissy Love and others.

“When we talk about violence and criminality, we are talking about a male problem. When we talk about educational under-achievement, unemployment and domestic violence, we are talking about a male problem. I think to address those problems we have to address how we raise boys and how we model and teach boys what being a man is,” said Dr Strachan.

The documentary delves deeply into the dynamics of family relations, male absenteeism in the home, socialisation by women and other areas. Dr Strachan said it raises the question, how do we become the best people we can become, male or female?

Some people came out hoping to watch a movie that bashed men, said Dr Strachan. However, the documentary was not about that. It soberly examined a range of societal dynamics that relate to notions of manhood. “Since most households are headed by women, women also have to take some of the blame for what young men become and what they do. So those who came to hear that men are dogs, they have to understand that a man can’t be a dog by himself,” said Dr Strachan.

One attendee, Simone Major, said she enjoyed the film, but her only concern was that the majority of attendees that filled the theatre were older adults. She said her hope is for the movie to be shown again and advertised more for the younger generation.

“This is something they need to see and I am hoping that our younger adults will have a chance to see it,” she said.

Maureen Major, another attendee, said: “It was most informative and it did relay to us adults what was really truly missing in our contribution in raising our young men.”

For Tameka Kemp, comments by social activist Erin Greene stood out clearly.

“(Erin) said women run the country. You have no idea how much that is sticking in my head right now. I felt those words because I know there is so much truth to it. This is a real world we are living in and it’s sad to say that we as women are looked at as weak links, when we are really the strong force,” said Ms Kemp.

In the documentary, Ms Greene questioned the popular notion about men “running the country”. She pointed to the way women numerically dominate the teaching profession, church membership, employment in the public service and the voter register, although men maintain key positions of leadership. She suggested that women actually hold power, although it seems they acquiesce to the men.

The documentary also chronicled Utah Taylor’s journey to finding his biological father.

“This was my favourite part because even though his situation was unfortunate, he still made light of it. He talked about his hurt and the mistakes he made but as we all saw, he was able to make people laugh. And at the end of his journey the theatre of people clapped because I guess they all felt a connection with him,” said Jessica Johnson.

Dr Strachan said he is looking forward to having discussions. The film does not provide answers to all the questions it raises. It was not its intension to do so.

“I don’t pretend to be better than other men or lecture them on how to live their lives, because I am trying to discover this for myself as well. I grew up without a father and I am now a father of three sons. I am trying to figure out what being a father should be. The point is we have to try to open up a conversation and ask questions about whether our policies need to change so that we can have a better society,” said Dr Strachan.

There will be additional screenings throughout the remainder of the year at COB and in the movie theatre. The documentary will be available in DVD format sometime next year. For more information, visit the I’s Man Facebook page.