Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

Ray Gayle busily washes clothes. - Contributed photo

In the quiet roadside village of Scott's Pass in Clarendon, at the riverside, a church service is going on. Across the river, near a pool of crystal-clear water, a young woman sat washing away. A few feet from her, a man of slim frame also sat. His hands moved vigorously. On the ground, clothes are strewn around him. He too was washing. It was Sunday morning, January 6.

When I approached him, he said, "Bless," and I felt blessed because of his calm demeanour. But who is this man? And why wasn't he, as many Jamaican men were, at home 'chilling' and taking it 'easy like Sunday morning'. For in this land dripping with testosterone, and where men are afraid of being called, 'maama man', it is really rare to see a man sitting around a tub of clothes in full view of passers-by on a Sunday morning, or on any other morning.

Easy-going man

His name is Ray Gayle, an easy-going man, who doesn't hesitate to help with the domestic chores "when the missis under pressure". So, on such a morning while she is preparing breakfast, instead of waiting on her to do his laundry, he goes by the river to help himself.

Ray: "Mi feel proud enough fi know sey a me really a wash my clothes still enuh, fi real man, is a positive work ... it important to me because yuh giving a helping hand to each other ... a soh de work run." But, even before setting up house with his missis, Gayle has always been doing domestic chores.

Cooking and cleaning

Being an only child living with his parents, he had no choice but to do his chores, which include cooking and cleaning the floor. "I just do it on my own, a just feel the vibes of doing it ... mi nuh grow with no sister enuh, soh yuh see them ting deh, mi kinda use to them ting dem ... me is the only child for my mommy ... mi help mommy do certain things," he said.

This brings up the topic of roles in the home, where certain types of household chores are assigned based on gender. The practice is encouraged by parents who clearly define the sort of chores that their children do. Boys must do the rough/outdoors ones, while girls are assigned 'inside-the-house' jobs. But that wasn't Ray's experience. He worked outdoors and inside, and it didn't make him less of a man.

And what would he say to his son who might refuse to do certain chores that are associated with girls? Ray: "I would have to talk to him and show him sey you have to try something for yourself, try to do every little thing so that you can get through in life."

Work to survive

For Gayle, getting through in life means that he would undertake a vocation that is not traditionally regarded as a man's job, such as hairdressing. "If it come to the test and I know is my living, and I can do it, I will do it. I would rather do it than to steal," he reasoned.

Having said that, over the years he has also done some farming, masonry and carpentry. He attempted once to produce fire coals; it was a disaster. The process normally takes three to four days, but under advisement from a friend, it was allowed to go on for three weeks. They were expecting more than 100 bags of coal, but they ended up getting only 16. And that was it. Yet, through it all, one thing is always on his mind, singing.

In his late 30s, Ray has no intention of spending the rest of his days washing clothes by the river. He wants a career in music. This aspiring singer/songwriter has a desire to make it big. But for now, he is honing his skills on local community stages.

He goes by the name, 'Don Melody', and is hoping to get a producer/promoter to guide him through the rigours of the music business. He writes only 'conscious' lyrics, and his style is cool, and easy on the ears. His first song is called Drugs Free, inspired by what he has seen around him. Ray said: "Out on the street, mi see de youth dem a sniff coke, and ting, and mi sey to meself, them things noh right ... them either stealing from someone or begging from someone, always need a $20."

The song goes like this:

"Drugs free, drugs free

Drugs free, drugs free

From yuh look pon deh youth yah

Yuh know seh him drugs free

From the day mi born

Mi never sniff no coke

Nor take no crack

Don't want to be no dead stock

That's why mi nah goh do that

Drugs free, drugs free ... ."

So, as he continues to help his missis with the chores, the stars are in his eyes. He will not beg or steal. He wants to sing for hissupper.

paul.williams@gleanerjm.com