Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer
The series started on March 1 with the amazing story of 'The miracle and the missing bullet', but it took a heart-rending turn on March 5 and 12 with the chilling account of the boy who was raped several times by his stepfather, in 'When the boy is the victim'. Ten months later, the stories are still being told, and for me it was indeed a journey of a different sort, telling the stories of Jamaican men who are not keen on going public with their personal nuances.
The most difficult instalment to write was the story of the young man, from an inner-city community in St. Andrew, who was struggling to make something of his life, yet was burdened by serious family problems that were threatening to defer his dreams. Things have changed significantly since then, as the police and the Family Court have intervened, and the bane of his and his family's existence is now "under heavy manners".
'When a stranger entered', the tale of a man who was ostracised by his family and community when he was dying of AIDS, is the most poignant for me because it tells how fickle the human heart is. But if anything, it says to me loudly and clearly why I should not contract the virus.
Intriguing
When I first heard of Wayne Saunders, the man who claimed he was the reincarnation of Haile Selassie and the Son of the living God, I was excited. I like stories with intrigue, and Wayne is in fact a very interesting person. He's very intelligent, but too complex. So in the two-part series, 'The perfect man', I tried to get readers to understand his complexities. For the most part, I was ridiculed for interviewing an 'insane' man. My defence was, and still is, every man has a story and must be heard. Since then, Wayne's story has taken on an even more bizarre turn, giving fodder on which to chew to those who think he's crazy.
"What Frank Grandison saw and heard" was frightening and thought provoking. Here's a man who's perfectly normal, yet he had been having very strange visions, and has encountered many apparitions of a 'divine' nature. I am not one to delve into paranormal and metaphysical dynamics, but Frank's story had made me reflect many times on my own existence, and the possibility that an energy outside of the physical do exist.
The face-to-face and email feedback was very encouraging, angry and very strange. Many still stand out in my mind, and so I will share some of them with you, today.
Condemned
Shaikh Abdullah el-Faisal - Photo by Paul Williams
The story for which I was most condemned was that of Shaikh el-Faisal. A male reader was most upset because I wrote about a man who is a 'terrorist' without giving the full story. He says, in one of his many letters, "You may have guessed that I am British." My source on this man comes from the United Kingdom press comment and his trial in the U.K. at that time. You may have your own ideas about the press in the U.K., but at least it is a free press and they can print whatever they wish, so long as it's true!!! If not, here come the libel writs!
"And his trial was 100 per cent fair; he was 'banged to rights' as we say, that is, 100 per cent guilty of all charges. Inciting the members of HIS Mosque to murder Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc. Spreading racial hatred, encouraging potential suicide bombers, one of his flock was involved in the July bomb outrage in London. So, indirectly he has blood on his hands and therefore he is a terrorist. Yes, I was angry. Still am. Having lived here for about three years, I find that the Jamaican people in the main do not recognise danger when they see it."
Shaikh el-Faisal's story is a very long and illustrious one, which the columns of His Story cannot tell to the full extent. The purpose, therefore, of "A biography of international intrigue" was to give readers a brief overview of his background.
A more appreciative email says, "Thank you Paul for responding. Well, I agree with what you have said about making decisions about my future, having found myself in this calamity. Only that I could really beat myself for having not carefully assessed myself and my life earlier in terms of forcing myself to put something ($$) aside for a time as this because I really accepted that there would be no change. So my quiet resolution includes two options: 1. Do some sacrificial savings in order to accumulate some cash to ensure that I can stand solely on my own feet. 2. Land myself a job abroad where the income is more promising, allowing me to move forward as well as support my children. Thanks again for responding. You have made my day."
Interesting feedback
The feedback that I believe was the funniest was one supporting Charlie Brown, the United States Army veteran, who was deported to Jamaica in 2004. It says, among other things, "I let them know, I am afraid to let them have my and my children's fingerprints, for next thing we know we may go missing and taken in the dead of the night to some other country to be tortured and especially my sons, who, based on current practices, they would be subject to genital mutilation.
"Mr. Brown should consider himself lucky that they merely deported him for they could have subject him to George Bush's Rendition programme where he is spirited away to some other foreign country - more often than not, Syria - where men in black face masks take turns cutting, slitting and otherwise mangling (him). It is a crying shame!"
I usually take my feedback seriously, but the night I read this one, I saw some little flashes of light floating in front of my eyes. I was overwhelmed by laughter. His Story will now take a one-month break to replenish its repertoire, with the hope of returning in February with more inspirational and enlightening stories. Until then, all the best for the New Year.
paul.williams@gleanerjm.com
