Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Underscoring the critical role of mothers, Justice Frank Seepersad used his Mother’s Day sermon to call for an end to the disrespect, degradation and objectification of women.
He told worshippers at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Gasparillo on Sunday, that while many women quietly carried families and communities through sacrifice and prayer, they were too often met with public ridicule, unfair criticism and treatment that reduced their worth to physical appearance, rather than humanity and contribution.
Seepersad said the nation must confront certain uncomfortable truths.
“Here in our small T&T, far too often women are evaluated by their appearance instead of their character and contribution.
“In public life and in professional spheres, the disrespect is more acute as too many women are personally attacked, unfairly criticised and their dignity is eroded, and all the critique fails to focus upon their ideas, competence or leadership.
“It is concerning that our music, social media culture and public conversations routinely define our women by their physical attributes while ignoring their intellect, sacrifice and humanity.”
Seepersad said the “tragedy” is amplified by the fact that society now normalises disrespect.
“Whenever dignity is eroded within a society, violence eventually is inevitable. When language becomes degrading and when women are no longer treasured, homes begin to fracture and, as a consequence, communities invariably suffer.”
Adding that Mother’s Day must serve as a day of reflection, the judge noted that the harsh reality is that in T&T, many mothers are inadequately supported, although they are unsung heroines.
Lamenting on the recent murders of two children within weeks of each other by “young criminals,” Seepersad questioned what morals and values were being instilled in children in T&T.
“This is why mothers remain critically important: a praying mother can redirect a generation, a disciplined mother can rescue a future, a loving mother can interrupt cycles of violence, and a morally grounded mother can teach a child that integrity matters even when dishonesty appears easier.”
Also needed, he said, is the presence of fathers or father figures, the active engagement of communities and the reinforcement of values and ethical behaviour at our schools and places of worship as they collectively reject conduct which destroys the moral fabric of the nation.
“In our world today, too many people seek validation through attention rather than purpose, through visibility rather than virtue, through popularity rather than principle.”
He added that the nation needs not only economic growth, but also moral development rooted in integrity, compassion, empathy, accountability and righteousness, since no country can prosper while its moral foundations are collapsing.
Seepersad also advised that sons be taught masculinity through discipline, responsibility and protection rather than dominance or aggression, and that daughters understand their worth is grounded in the dignity given to them by God, not public or social media.
