Submitted by William Skinner

It is understandable, that Mr. Ralph Boyce, unlike many of his counterparts, who would have opted for a retirement of leisure, has chosen to utilize his vast skills to better the society. He has been attempting with some moderate success to do so via the Men’s Educational support Association (MESA). I compliment Boyce on his efforts because in our class based society, we find retirees of Boyce’s ilk hanging out in church groups; service clubs and other more “acceptable “organizations. Seldom do they engage themselves in organizations that are attempting to rid the society of known prejudices or injustices. Men in our society have huge psychological hurdles to overcome; one major challenge is accepting that the modern woman is not their beloved mothers or grandmothers. Unfortunately, MESA has become the dwelling place for men who need psychologists more than they need MESA.

Within this organization, there are men who honestly believe that they have been wronged by women. Well I have news for them: Within the National Organization of Women (NOW), there are women who believe that they have been wrong by men! The mistake that Boyce has made is that he has allowed himself to be drawn into public squabbling with some females, who find the direction of MESA troubling. I honestly cannot blame them. His followers are therefore of the belief that MESA should be concerned mainly with pointing out how bad women are and how men have suffered at their hands. Such an approach is doomed to absolute failure.

One of the recurring topics at MESA is the unfaithfulness of women to men who have been good to them. In other words: If men give food clothing and lodging, a woman is supposed to prove her gratitude by being faithful.

They need to understand that a woman’s body belongs to her and she uses it at her own discretion. Violating women and physically abusing them is not acceptable under any circumstances. I believe that Mia Mottley, the Leader of the Opposition, put it best when she said that: “men should learn how to take a horn”.

I would have thought that MESA would have been more focused on really educating men about being better role models and availing themselves of the educational opportunities, rather than being outstripped by women, almost or above, two to one, when it comes to graduates of universities and other places of learning. Boyce should have been explaining to men that women are now more independent and are not going to stand for the nonsense that earlier generations endured. I would have thought that Boyce would be informing them that multiple relationships and refusing to look after their children is not the way to go. In other words: bury or forget the village ram mentality. And finally, MESA could have been in the forefront of defending and lobbying for gay men to be treated fairly and the removal of all discrimination against them.

I am therefore totally in agreement with the comments made by Talk Show host Peter Wickham, in a recent broadcast, when he was critical of the direction that MESA is taking. Boyce as a former chief education officer, and as fine a gentleman as any that I have ever met, needs to change direction and mend fences with NOW. My simple suggestion to Boyce and MESA is that they refocus and don’t allow the organization to become another: I say dem say. Time for NOW and MESA to fight common causes, not to have needles and pins with each another. And embarrassing public squabbles. As is often said to doctors: physician heal thyself. Now to Boyce I respectfully say: Educator, educate yourself and followers. Put the real E in MESA: Education. Try to avoid that other E: Emotionalism or misplaced male Egos.