Stop harassing J.C. Hutchinson!

THE EDITOR, Sir:

With regard to The Gleaner's editorial of Friday, July 13, 2012, titled 'Apologies welcome, but ... ', I am surprised at the lack of breadth of knowledge that you display when you do not understand why Raymond Pryce can be legitimately and appropriately called a fish by his senior, J.C. Hutchinson. That is an ancient metaphor in the English language.

Raymond Pryce, a tenderfoot in the House, was being properly reprimanded for his bad behaviour towards an elder in his community. If 'fish' is a Jamaican term of abuse used against those in our community who have certain sexual inclinations, this was unknown to me and to everyone that I have asked in my circle of friends and acquaintances.

I am willing to grant Mr Hutchinson the benefit of the doubt, especially seeing that my take on the matter satisfies all the conditions.

Big fish

I think that he meant to say to Mr Pryce, "You are a small fry in this place, I am a big fish. Show respect!" This is an apt reprimand, as the circumstances demonstrate. Mr Hutchinson is no worse than millions of people all over the world in mistakenly characterising, in his explanation, a whale as a fish.

The term 'small fry' in The Oxford Dictionary means 'young or newly hatched fishes ... or people of little importance; children'.

It is laudable that The Gleaner has embarked upon a campaign to reduce the discrimination and abuse suffered by those people in our society with minority sexual preferences, but, the motto, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who suspects illicit motivation), is still relevant, and something to adopt.

You, therefore, are barking up the wrong tree, and there is no need for any apology on Mr Hutchinson's part.

DENNIS STEPHENS

saturn1@cwjamaica.com