Member-only story
The gaze is predominantly that of the white male, reflected in the ‘represented’: the images in the media, the white male gazing at the ‘other’, they only see you as ‘represented ’ — in black. You in the images have to conform to the expectations. They — seeking affirmation of their perceived superiority. Hence, the image constructed of the selves in the Caribbean: the subservient, happy and content black residing in paradise.
Play the steel drum, coda reggae, those happy tunes, the black dancing under the sun — from Issac Belisario to the present, the image, the narrative composed. The white virgin bride, on white virgin beaches: your images of paradise constructed.
Questions being asked of you, why did you leave? The answer, because you bought me here — to this place you called paradise.
The myth glorified, burnished, the blood spilled wiped clean, erasing the sadistic barbarity you practiced. It was paradise for you, for here there was no morality, you could practice the most heinous acts with impunity, in paradise you acquired pleasure for the sadistic. The image as represented acquired more significance than the reality: the lived experiences of the majority. You, striping images, devoid of virtue, cleansed of any discordant noises, for this would only show you the darkness that resides in your heart, your follies, you don’t seek to see the reality — for it would burn your eyes, tear your brain to threads, for there you would find your true self.
You bought me to a paradise, one that was a living hell and for this I should be grateful and be thankful?
Today you return to paradise, with your white virgin bride, the two of you smiling on white tropical sands.
Your general expectations that these places are paradise, then why would anyone wish to leave a paradise?
