Garth Rattray

Prime Minister Simpson Miller recently made a plaintive speech blaming her gender for the way that (she says) people treat her. Just a few weeks ago she complained about the mispronunciation of her middle name (people were saying 'Lacretia' instead of 'Lucretia'). Now, the prime minister is protesting the manner in which a young male reporter asked if she is taking her 'own sweet time' to announce the date for the next general elections. She bemoaned that people wouldn't dare treat her the way that they do if she were a man.

All this complaining diminishes her leadership stature immensely. A prime minister must transcend such issues. As the leader of a country, a prime minister must be strong and ignore the numerous (overt and covert) negative remarks and pot shots that the job attracts. Reacting to the things that people say and do makes a leader appear unfocussed, weak, insecure and therefore prone to failure. Madam Prime Minister must not allow herself to be ensnared by matters that distract her from good governance - this is precisely what her opponents want, and she's playing right into their hands.

Mrs. Simpson Miller should emulate former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson's custom of rising above the distracting topics. For many years he wisely ignored incessant smear tactics and rumours questioning his sexual orientation. He obviously thought it infra dig to respond to such an issue and he relented only once in order to silence his critics. People called him the Fresh Prince, the 'Black' leader and a host of other disparaging adjectives but he (rightfully) ignored their remarks, choosing instead to categorise them as nonsensical triviality.

Commanding respect

Complaining about a lack of respect projects helplessness, draws attention to itself and is absolutely futile. Respect must be earned; it cannot be demanded with words and calls for protocol. The prime minister must ensure that her authority (poise) and deeds (works) earn her respect. Mrs. Simpson Miller should simply concentrate on doing her job well and accept that (if she becomes a good prime minister) she will not be loved by all, but she will be respected with no regard to her female gender, social background, educational accomplishment or political affiliation.

Well-thinking Jamaicans don't really care 'what' our prime minister is, they do however care 'who' she is. If she is a person of integrity, decorum, fairness and a commitment to the nation, their cooperation and respect will be given freely. However, many people only see Mrs. Simpson Miller as being inexorably trapped within the mould of the People's National Party Member of Parliament for a depressed garrison constituency. This, they say, explains why she floundered under pressure from Opposition Leader Bruce Golding in parliament on Tuesday, September 5.

Muted voices opine that Mrs. Simpson Miller's failure to adopt consistent positive prime ministerial attributes has nothing to do with gender; it has everything to do with her socio-political shackles. Instead of complaining, Mrs. Simpson Miller should stop thinking and acting like a politician and transform herself into the knowledgeable, forthright and self-assured prime minister that she can become. Too many elected officials in leadership positions continue to be too preoccupied with politics to realise their full potential as national leaders.

True, most Jamaican families are matriarchal and most tertiary students are females, yet most top management positions continue to elude women. However, our prime minister already has the top job and hopefully she'll soon realise that on becoming a prime minister, complaining and politicising issues are unbecoming. She doth protest too much.

Dr. Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.