MICAL MP Miriam Emmanuel in the House of Assembly. File Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune staff
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
A WOMEN’S rights activist yesterday called for the resignation of MICAL MP Miriam Emmanuel after she insinuated there is nothing wrong if a woman is “manhandled” by her husband who might also decide to “slap,” “shake,” or “punch” her in the mouth as punishment for challenging him.
Donna Nicolls, deputy director of the Bahamas Crisis Centre called the situation “crazy,” adding the comments Mrs Emmanuel made in Parliament yesterday reverted this country to the “Dark Ages”.
However, as the comments drew fierce condemnation in many circles and on social media, Mrs Emmanuel issued a statement saying she regretted making the “unfortunate analogy,” claiming the comments were taken out of context and misunderstood.
Hours before she realised the comments were unfortunate, Mrs Emmanuel suggested in the House of Assembly she had no issues with physical abuse, if it was justified by the actions of a woman who wants to “come up” in her husband’s face and behave like she is a man.
The comments seemed not to trouble seated MPs – some could be heard snickering as she made her remarks.
“I am the seventh of 10 daughters and I recall as we began to mature and take on marriage and family, one of the things that my father often say to us as his daughters, if you want to remain a lady, if you want to remain treated as a lady, then you must behave like a lady,” the first time MP said yesterday.
“And he said if there ever comes a time when you have to come back to this house and say to me as your father that your husband shook you, or give you a slap or punch you in your mouth, I will analyse while I listen to you. I will analyse the consequences that would have caused your husband to probably shake you, slap you or punch you in your mouth.”
Mrs Emmanuel continued: “And I said simply what my father was saying that we are to respect each other, have respect for your priest, your provider and your protector. So in this honourable House it’s no exception from a marriage relationship if you as a woman want to come up in your husband’s face and behave like you are a man, my father said then you will get manhandled.”
Her comments came during a moment in the House of Assembly where Speaker Halson Moultrie welcomed remarks from parliamentarians in response to disciplinary actions he took against Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, who he named and suspended last week.
Yesterday, Mrs Hanna-Martin, as well as the remaining three opposition members in the House, were suspended for two sittings.
Asked whether Mrs Emmanuel’s comments were obvious grounds for a resignation, Mrs Nicolls told this newspaper: “Yes, because you see the thing about it, I think that what they don’t understand is that when they are sitting in Parliament they represent everybody.
“Our Constitution talks about everybody in the Bahamas not only the people who look like you, talk like you, believe that you believe. You (are) representing everyone in the Bahamas. This is just crazy.”
Mrs Emmanuel’s statement read: “I made certain statements in the House of Assembly in support of respect for authority, which were taken totally out of context and misunderstood. While I will not repeat this unfortunate analogy, I want the record to reflect that I, Miriam Reckley-Emmanuel MP MICAL, do not condone domestic violence or any type of violence in any way shape or form. I deeply regret those words and I want all women in this country to know and understand that I am an advocate for and stand firm in support of women’s rights.
“I was personally appalled by and condemned the comments made some time back in the House of Assembly by former Member of Parliament for Tall Pines Leslie Miller, about hitting his female companion while female members of the PLP laughed. My comments in the (House) should in no way convey that I believe it is ok to hit a woman.”
It was just in December when the backbench MP told The Tribune she supported criminalising spousal sexual abuse adding that it was absolutely wrong for any man to “dominate” or “harass” his significant other to satisfy his flesh.
Yesterday Seabreeze MP Lanisha Rolle also weighed in on the matter involving Mrs Hanna Martin, with an undertone that men are to dominate women.
“Mr Speaker, my husband always told me what a man say from the beginning, he say what he say and he mean what he say. If you want to turn it another way that’s your business.”
Mrs Rolle, minister of social services and urban development, added that she was the lead voice on women’s affairs in Parliament.
The irony in this aspect of her comments is that at the height of the marital rape debate in December, it was Mrs Rolle who categorised the issue as a private matter between husband and wife. This remark drew criticism from women’s rights activists, who questioned her fitness for the role.
Comments
TheMadHatter 6 years, 9 months ago
Muslim Sharia Law coming to the Bahamas. It has already taken root in Michigan, and Vermont. Lansing Michigan is almost unrecognizable today. You would think you were in Riyadh.
johnmcntsh 6 years, 9 months ago
Your words are absolute nonsense. Why do you feel the need to lie in a forum such as this?
BahamaRed 6 years, 9 months ago
I don't completely disagree with her. If you want to be treated like a lady then act accordingly. There are consequences to every action and people need to learn how to respect one another.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 9 months ago
Yeah that boy who get body slam by the policeman the other day was asking for it
sheeprunner12 6 years, 9 months ago
This lady is a Pentacostal in her religious beliefs .......... aka Taliban-like.
TalRussell 6 years, 9 months ago
Next recommended move by Ma Comrade Imperial red MP Miriam might be write a $1000 cheque to Shelter for Battered Woman's.
Montagu's Richard Lightbourn was shunned by a stunned red party out 2017 General Election nomination for his equally as nutty out step woman's, remarks made before his fellow reds at the party's convention... this time her fellow red MP's in the House... just sat there and laughed.... and the normally talkative Speaker, EXPRESSED NO SHOCK, nor said NOTHING!
joeblow 6 years, 9 months ago
Women's rights activists = emotional intolerance of contrary views!
No matter how disagreeable or foolish a persons comments are (except sedition etc), they have a right to them!
birdiestrachan 6 years, 9 months ago
This woman is supported by Roker. She is one of the majority of the FNM representatives that lack good basic sense. There is no wisdom in the majority of them; Was she the woman who was saying bye...They are drunk with power, But it will end.
There is never ever any reason for reasonable people to resort to violence. And since she is out there. spilling bitterness. Did her father man handle or beat her mother and did she think it was all right or does her husband manhandle her?
The woman ways is like her looks, .
HarryWyckoff 6 years, 9 months ago
Oh please.
Your favourite party had members who joked about slapping women around in the HOA. And others who laughed and laughed their fat as*es off at the thought. Disgusting humans who deserve to rot in hell.
Sit small, you sick little sparrow.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 9 months ago
I support Harry here ....... PLP men have some of the worse records of misogyny in this country ....... Do we remember - Brad and the toilet and Potcake and the sadist lover???????
birdiestrachan 6 years, 9 months ago
They can say what ever they care to about the PLP but the election was a perfect storm against the PLP there was "We March" who appeared out of the Blue Have any of the matters they agitated for been addressed??. All should know who was behind that group. The FNM made promises they have no intentions of keeping, VAT removals, free University education, and the PLP had stolen the VAT money.
doc promised to sell BAH Mar which was not for sale. But he cannot sell Our Lucaya which is for sale.. Then they had these e mail leaks on Mr: Fitzgerald we know who released those. the man who thought the FNM was going to hand deliver a hotel to him to sad.
Sickened 6 years, 9 months ago
Based on her clown like makeup job, she ain't the brightest bulb. She should've painted her face like a mime... and keep her mouth shut!
licks2 6 years, 9 months ago
Our penal code allows any person to "lick down" anybody who attack their person. . .be it ya mar, brudder, sister or ya wife. . .even to the point of death. The "womans dem" want to put they husband in jail for "sexin dem" when they een checking fer him. . .now if a woman "fly in she husband face" and get punched out while she doing so? Or should we tell that same woman who don't want her husband touch her without she permission that she can't attack that man with violence and don't expect to get "punch down"!
TalRussell 6 years, 9 months ago
"Comrades, you oughta slap somebody on side head sitting in pew next you and say - you are sitting next destiny"
.........////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ui90iqrm8
Porcupine 6 years, 9 months ago
Thanks for the link. This explains a lot. Scary. But it explains a lot.
John 6 years, 9 months ago
Back in the day if a woman was beaten by her husband, or 'he come home carrying on bad',she would take the children and go to her parents house. And the mother would say something to the effect that, "now he's your husband. You and the children can stay the night, but as soon as day clean, you must go back home to your husband.' Today if a woman get 'touch up' by her man, even if he is her husband, she ain't going to mummy. She calling her brothers and day friends or her and her girlfriends going looking for the man. and even if he in the bar with he friends they, his friends, ain't gonna get involved..well maybe they will try stopping him from getting beat up too much but no, they a'int taking no sides. And in some instances these days is da woman who is throw da first blow and kick the man out the house. In the US the law states that the person who started the disturbance must leave the home for the night and the one that threw the fist blow will be arrested.
ashley14 6 years, 9 months ago
Actually if it gets physical it's a automatic three days in jail. Male or female, sometimes both, if they both hit each other.
Porcupine 6 years, 9 months ago
People who are educated, from the outside, look at The Bahamas and laugh. We are a group of adults who think and act like adolescents. This applies to most of our country, and it shows in the HOA. Jokey leaders with not a clue how to lead. So, So, Sad.
John 6 years, 9 months ago
@Porcupine and the US government is about to shut dow for the second time in a matter of weeks...any questions?
Porcupine 6 years, 9 months ago
Only this John. Is this where we set the bar? There are 24 hours in a day. We can spend them making excuses, or we can truly try and do better. Which, of the many specific metrics one could name, are we doing better on in this country?
John 6 years, 9 months ago
Trump wants to increase spending by $1.5 Trillion over the next few years, He wants to treat all immigrants like terrorists and gangsters, he hasn’t addressed the wild fires that rampage the North West and get this Donald Trump wants a military, yes with tanks and all, like the one he saw when he visited France...are we there yet?
John 6 years, 9 months ago
Who is Omarosa?
John 6 years, 9 months ago
In the main time Rob Porter is struggling to keep his job at the White House because of allegations of domestic abuse... White so much parallels between the US (lamb that speaks like a dragon) politics and Bahamian politics? Imagine when the spousal rape law comes into effect.
John 6 years, 9 months ago
Quote of the day, “considering who is president, beating your (two) wife should not disqualify you from working in the White House.”
joeblow 6 years, 9 months ago
Its amazing and sad how few were able to understand her comments IN CONTEXT! She should be judged for what she said, NOT for what people THINK she said!!
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 9 months ago
There's no "context" for what she said, that's what you don't get.
Suppose YOU made a public complaint about being manhandked by a police officer, the post goes viral. and Marvin Dames in response gets up in the house and says
My Daddy tell me, when you speak back to the police officer EXPECT to get punch in your mouth.
Now, everybody know, getting into a confrontation with a police officer in the first place is not a good thing to do. But NOBODY WITH SENSE will say EXPECT to be punch by the policeman. Yes we know "historically" policeman abused their power, but NOBODY will use that as an example or an analogy for what to "EXPECT", because it is simply UNACCEPTABLE. And for durn sure we don't EXPECT our symbol of the law to even bring it up as a possibility.
The member was out of order. The men who sat there and listened to her advocate that there "might" be a situation where a woman was responsible for her own abuse..unacceptable. They should all stay out of the house for the next two sittings. Leave the speaker and Ms Emmanuel to themselves.
licks2 6 years, 9 months ago
Man give it a rest. . .yoon making much sense as usual. . .no place on this planet can you "jump in the face of any policeman" and een ger get ya behind "red up" good!! This is the code of policing planet wide. . .keep ya hands off them ALWAYS! Just take ya time and remain honest in ya opinions and "eat ya heart out" for the next 5 years. . .or like you think. . .they will soon "mess-up" cos they een know what they are doing! Just keep down the lies cos when they do really mess-up and you see it and bring it to our attention. . .we will dismiss you as a sore loser and blind party die-hard for the PLP/DNA. . .dismissing anything coming from you!
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 9 months ago
If Bradley Riberts had read her speech word for word what would you be saying? Take a minute to think about it. Bradley Roberts reading Mrs Emmanuel's EXACT words
sheeprunner12 6 years, 9 months ago
Mrs. Emmanuel was recalling her father's advice concerning her conducting herself like a lady once she gets married ............ I wish more fathers would do so today.
Fathers need to model behaviour for their boys and girls ..... Sadly, many do not.
BahamaRed 6 years, 9 months ago
As usual Bahamians hear what they want and ignore the rest, to the exclusion of context.
She did not condone beating women, what she said was act like a lady and be treated as such.
There is no justification for domestic abuse from either sides of the marriage. The question needs to be raised on how can we better teach conflict resolution, because it's becoming very clear most Bahamians lack sensible conflict resolution.
licks2 6 years, 9 months ago
ALL THIS "OUTBURST" SHOWS ME IS WHO THE PEOPLE THEM IS WHO ARE "DUMB" INTELLECTUALS PARADING AROUND AS "SAGES" AND CAN'T REASON WORTH A DAMN! SHE JUST TOLD THESE "FALSE ELITES" WHAT MY MOMMY AND EVERY ONE OF YINNA MAR THEM TOLD YA TOO. . .IF YA DON'T WANT THE BIG GIANT KID IN THE SCHOOL YARD "PUNCH YA IN YA EYE". . .DON'T "JUMP ON HIM"! IF YA JUMP ON HIM AND GET YA TAIL WHOOPED. . .YA LOOK FER THAT!
TalRussell 6 years, 9 months ago
Ma Comrade BahamaRed. now I am concerned how far you can mange post to this hereto Tribune blog page - before readers does jumps forward offering assist you - being your brain as it appears raises alarm bells? The MP has realizse that over years she has uttered some strange remarks from pulpits and other public forums and some may even have made their way on the internet by others of which even the MP are unaware of ,,, but they just don't disappear even if deleted.The MP also had years public arena and media coverage and like most people in public eye - some positive some other? Being public is a life's body of works and some that may not have works so well.
bogart 6 years, 9 months ago
@sheep.......when you say fathers need to model behaviour for their boys and their girls does this also include outside children.....majority of babies are born to single mothers....
joeblow 6 years, 9 months ago
... not every sower of seed is a father. He is completely correct in what he said!
sheeprunner12 6 years, 9 months ago
Read the Constitution ........ an illegitimate child has ONE parent (its mother). That is the problem in our country, where 70% of Bahamian children are born out of wedlock.
John 6 years, 9 months ago
The law stated that 'the only parent of a child born to a single woman is the mother.' However that law has been changed and amended so that fathers of these children can be 'milked' for child support. They can now also apply for custody and/or visitation rights once they sign on or are proven by DNA to be the father. And some courts even give partial custody to fathers without them even asking for it.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 9 months ago
Please tell me ............ when did we amend Article 14.1?????????
joeblow 6 years, 9 months ago
Prior to DNA testing (which is when that law was written) the only thing you could be sure of was who gave birth to the child.
Mother certainly, father maybe!
BahamaRed 6 years, 9 months ago
English TalRussell....literate English please.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 9 months ago
the only "context" she could have sensibly said this in is "*My daddy say....and he was wrong. There is no justification for a man hitting his wife
There are a THOUSAND other ways she could have relayed a message of "respect" if that was her intention. Don't forget just like Dr Minnis she PREPARED this speech, sat down and read it at least twice. No excuse.
bogart 6 years, 9 months ago
....on the illigitimate children......surely the Bahamian pastors must at some time preached on portions of the bible Deuteronomy 23:2 and portions Genesic, Judges, Hebrews...?.
joeblow 6 years, 9 months ago
Preaching on it doesn't MAKE people obey it. Hypocrites are hypocrites by choice!
Truism 6 years, 9 months ago
It's amazing how intellectually dishonest we are willing to be to protect the supposed virtue of the party we support. At some point we have to take principled stance. Sad.
birdiestrachan 6 years, 9 months ago
It was plain Dumb to compare the sittings of house of assembly to a marriage. In the house they all represent constitutions. and they speak for the people they represent. They at that time are neither male nor female. So they do not have to pretend that they are less than men It is not a marriage and there is no head of the house,
This woman is dumb and very dangerous. There is never any reason to beat or manhandle any person, There is to much violence in the Bahamas.
In her view will it be all right for a man to beat her daughter or for her son to beat a woman"? Loftus Roker must be really proud of her right now.
licks2 6 years, 9 months ago
People please leave this poster alone. . .this "breen" has gone into BBB mode and can't comprehend anything that remotely makes sense. . .if it is not his party position! This is dead horse territory. . .please don't use whips in this area. . .move on smartly. . . find a live horse to whip please. . ."dis one dead"!
SP 6 years, 9 months ago
10 Biblical reasons why a wife must submit to her husband regardless of culture!
http://www.bible.ca/marriage/submission…
Feminist, lesbian and gay agendas will NEVER supplant the word of Jehovah GOD!
No further arguments required.
ashley14 6 years, 9 months ago
Domestic abuse is a problem everywhere, it's not just a Bahamian problem. I've always be shown respect from the opposite sex. If a man did abuse me I would be gone. I'll be in Nassau this week, I hope to find a old friend. I was always taken care of. I miss him very much. Maybe tomorrow will be the day.
licks2 6 years, 9 months ago
You sound like a reasonable female who will not "abide fools in domestic violence". . . you will not accept it nor give it. . .
ashley14 6 years, 9 months ago
True!
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