Guild President Defends Controversial Video Amidst Backlash

Contains photo of the Rex Spine by Jason Williams for The Republic Post

The Students' Guild President, Perry Cummings Jr has addressed backlash from a video seeking to allay fears about campus security that has been making the rounds on social media. 

The video, released February 11, shows the President and the Cultural and Entertainment Affairs Chairman, Emelius Watson, carrying out their own investigation into a report about men allegedly waiting to attack women near the ‘Rex Spine’ - a walkway that connects key areas on campus, adjacent to Rex Nettleford Hall.

Cummings Jr says his intention in filming the video was to debunk reports this incident happened and to reassure students, particularly those who regularly use that area.

“We were not prepared with guns or knives," the 25-year-old says. He continues,"…We are also students, I have to travel at night and go to late classes. So, we were also fed up as student leaders to have to be living in fear."

However, students across campus have expressed mixed feelings about the video. While some believe the video itself was ill-advised, others say they understand the desire of the student representatives to respond to the safety concerns.

However, students on both sides of the argument agree that the video was not well thought out, and guild representatives appeared tone deaf to the concerns expressed. 

The students who are not in favour of the decision by the guild point to a significant risk from the video ‘s release.

They argue first-year students who have seen the video may have concluded that outside was completely safe and therefore been lulled into a false sense of security.

Gender Sensitivity Concerns

Some female students, who are often more vulnerable to attacks, regard the video produced by the male-dominated guild as insensitive to their plight.

Cummings Jr has apologized for offending anyone, clarifying the video was never intended to dismiss women’s concerns.

“We are all human beings”, the student representative adds. “The intention was never to dismiss women. I have a lot of women who support … [and] voted for me - majority of the campus is women come here. So, if I am the Guild President it must mean women see me as able to represent their views and I would have shown the work.” 

However, he cautions individuals against making this a gender issue as the experience and qualities of an individual determine if they are the right leaders.

Alternatives

“Does he understand what it feels like to be robbed?”, one exasperated student asks. She continues, “If you know what it feels to be robbed you understand that is a traumatic experience, he should have been organizing some way for persons to get counseling.”

Students also suggested communicating through only official interviews and releases of tips and emergency contacts, instead of an effort by the guild to discredit reports.

Fact or Fiction?

The guild president also suggests that propagandists could be behind some of the false reports that have been made.

He believes such individuals could be trying to cause disquiet among the student body at a time when guild elections are fast approaching.

“We can expect a lot of … falsehood coming out, and then you will see persons now emerging trying to address an issue that they have created.”

Notwithstanding his concerns about possible propaganda, Cummings Jr says the guild has taken steps to ensure that legitimate reports are investigated. 

 The Guild's Vice-President for Properties and Special Initiatives, Tejano Taylor has been given the responsibility of liaising with the university's security team to determine the truth of these reports. 

However, Cummings Jr adds individuals need to report suspicious activity on campus through official channels instead of just sending messages on WhatsApp. 

He insists, “Make the report so that it can be on file so that it provides data for the campus security [that] they can study trends - how much per week is this being done to aid in having a safer campus.”

The Way Forward

The Guild Council says it will continue to ensure the security concerns are made public through media appearances and will actively engage with stakeholders.

This has resulted in new security measures on campus from February 17, including mandatory display of identification and enhanced patrols with the Campus Police, King Alarm security and the Mona Police.

The Student Guild Council President says, “We want a safer place, so we have to conform when those things are put in place.”

Meet Philana Johnson

Philana Johnson is a first-year student at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, majoring in journalism. Formerly employed at the Antigua Broadcasting Services Television (ABSTV)/Radio as a news reporter with a little over a year of experience, she had the opportunity to cover a wide range of issues, including developments in the environment, youth affairs, and entertainment. She believes investigation is an integral part of creating any piece in the field.