A Man's Voice
It is a painful, shameful and frightening reality that the beautiful country of Jamaica competes for first and second place in violence against women in the world. This article and others to follow include theological reflections on the treatment of women as a means of raising the volume on this urgent issue that in many respects finds roots in the corruption of Scripture.
Although a traditionally raised Jew and Rabbi, Jesus’ approach to women was and still is revolutionary, and therefore relevant to our time. We’re still playing catch-up. Using theological lens is important in this fight because Jamaica’s common and merciless treatment of women seems to be connected to a general “women must submit” outlook. Eve caused the Fall of humankind and so women are intrinsically evil, temptresses who cause men to stumble, and weak. Women must not govern men, must bend to and be broken by the will of men in their homes and in the public sphere. From our pews to the backseat of a taxi, the dignity of women is met with scorn.
You may say only uneducated people hold these views. But if we examine the way we (women included) participate in our culture, we’ll find that we’re all a part of a nurtured approach – whether as a bystander, through participation in crude language, harsh judgement of women, by degrees of silence and other means.
I want to clearly state here that my aim is not to make men feel accused or guilty which is the tendency, I believe. Rather, my hope is to challenge men to be responsible, especially those of status and influence. I am convinced that men’s voices are central to the change we seek. Women must “speak up and speak out” as the great John Lewis used to say about any issue of social justice, but the road to change is impossible without men.
Violence against women is a men’s issue. It’s men’s violence. That’s the reality. Women are also violent, and boys do get abused. There is evidence, though, that the lives of men and boys are significantly impacted by advocacy for women and girls, especially regarding domestic violence. So, even though all men aren’t the problem, we need the vast majority who care in private to help lead solutions in public.
Once when Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he
“saw” a woman, “crippled…”
“called her forward” and
“said to her, Woman…”
‘Then he put his hands on her…’
If that were not enough, after confronting the indignant, he had the audacity to call her, “a daughter of Abraham.” It would not have been the norm in Jesus’ day to use that phrase. Typically, it was seed or sons or children of Abraham, but Jesus made it clear that this woman did not have to be anyone else to inherit and perpetuate the blessings of Abraham.
Much can be gleaned from this passage. Here are a few of my takeaways:
Jesus saw a woman who was so crippled by a spirit that it caused her to be bent over and unable to straighten up. Moving away from this woman’s particular state, I dare say that unless we address the “disabling” (ESV) spirit by which women are treated in Jamaica that there will be no liberation from the physical scars borne. Whether you are a person of faith or not, you may agree that there is evil behind the kinds of violence we see. Your acknowledgement is important in this regard.
Christ saw how utterly burdened she was. His compassion and resolve led him to call her out from among those gathered to worship, those whose teachings kept women marginalized—the people of God. His intention was not to embarrass. He knew he had the moral authority and power to speak to her condition and go against the grain of his counterparts.
When Jesus spoke to her, he was respectful—and more. He was loving towards her by calling her, “woman.” It wasn’t said to demean or as we use it when frustrated and angry. I hear endearment and gentleness as he called her what she was, a woman, and then set her free. Women are human beings created with the same rights and due the same respect as men, no matter what her background, means of earning income, age, skin color or wardrobe.
He put his hands on her of all things. Strong, kind hands that bring healing. What if the norm were to hear of the kindness of husbands and fathers? The hand of man should not be a fearful thing.
In this brief encounter, there are many simple adjustments we all can make in changing the landscape of how women and girls are treated in Jamaica: open acknowledgement of the problems; with compassion and resolve, call out injustice; choose words wisely, take care to be respectful; and use your body as an instrument of love.