Dear Editor
ONE is certain that every Guyanese of mature age, and even younger, knows and understand the meaning of the well-known Guyanese parlance, “Bedroom story,” which reference is to the intimate drama/moments between a couple, in the passionate privacy of their bedroom.
Such intimate, tender interactions are not intended to mean, or include sexual violence of a predatory type, in which the male partner after subjecting his female victim to a premeditated process of grooming, as in instances of mostly under age females, and other devious methods of control measures, inclusive of violence, as a means of subdue and control, gets his way. This is psychopathy in all its actions.

Surely, if one is to be guided by the shocking revelations of Akola Thompson and another female, Sinal Klob, then the above description of sexual violence in its most denigrating form is what they have ascribed to the person of their former male partner, Ruel Johnson.
Simply put, such beastly denigration with its devastating psychological effects, is not, and cannot be, the ”It’s a bedroom story’’ type which the publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glen Lall, has proffered as description for the publicly reported accusations against Ruel Johnson, a senior member of his media house staff.

Such a descriptive brand for what has been alleged against Johnson, by his two ex-partners, is not only shameful and shocking, particularly emanating from a media owner, whose paper through the years has carried numerous stories of such degrading male treatment against females; but again says much for the traditional indifference that is known to be displayed by some, towards such humiliating treatment of our women.
Ruel Johnson’s reported acts have to be a shocking letdown of much abysmal proportions from such a prominent member of society, though it is known to be common in other jurisdictions, when victims decide to go public with their shocking and almost unbelievable stories. Maybe, the recent revelations may spark other similar ones to be made by other suffering females, and/or others who would have had past experiences at the hands of very significant persons in Guyana. The sad fact of life is that there are many more Akola Thompsons and Sinal Klobs who have similar harrowing treatment meted out to them by such personalities like Johnson. They must continue to speak out, because deciding to remain quiet gives a false veneer to the persona of such serial abusers. Of course, investigations must be carried out, since Johnson like any citizen is entitled to due process.

However, Glen Lall and his “It’s a bedroom story” line, as a print publisher, his remarks can be described as making simple a very, very serious behaviour pattern which does not fall within the pattern of humanity. And even though Lall has said that he will not remove Johnson from his employ, he has a moral responsibility in ensuring that his female employers are made comfortable until such time that Johnson is made to account for his actions. Such a comment falls very short of the level of seriousness that ought to be given to such a known social scourge. In fact, such a cavalier and callous treatment of such a heinous sub social, is not helpful in engendering national awareness of such a brutality. It can only serve to embolden its many perpetrators.
Regards
Carla Mendonca