An Open Letter to Kaci Fennell

Dear Kaci Fennell

So the Jamaican media is on your case again, specifically the Observer, seems you have stepped on corns because between your boyish beauty, the kiss, the outfit and now your rainbow coloured heart has made the news. You seem dead set on embarrassing Jamaica. Never mind dear; that’s what you get for wanting to be a star the adoration and the backlash.

But there are a few things I want to say to you about that profile pic, as a Jamaican. It’s good that
you have let the world know that if nothing else you support the equality to love and to marry who you want. It is a beautiful triumph for Americans who have had an open dialogue, backlash and rulings and legislature for year. And the world’s support of that federal and legal change is a recognition of that triumph, as they share what countries in South America even South Africa, have been granted.  I suspect that’s why you and all the other people who did-in solidarity- put your colours up, even if it signalled your fall from grace.

Kaci, I know that you are aware of the island, its Christian rhetoric and its very loud idea on love and how it should be presented publicly.  Woman you have disturbed the peace, not just because you support the minority but because you have upset what the world should think and know about this Jamaican perspective. This perspective is a physical one. One that your beauty though boyish, sits outside of. By agreeing to gay marriage you have sided with the boys in the gullies, the transgenders and all subhumans that have become a healthy discussion between Mel Cooke, Afifa Aza and Kei Miller. Your simple statement of love is an interaction with a debate that forces little boys to shout at each other in the streets "stop watch me no dwag a wah you do love man?"

Thus, your rainbow heart  is part of a social media campaign bordering on radical and that is what needs to be outted; because after all, you are Miss Jamaica. Look at what the Observer has done to you just for a news report. Ironic isn’t using the American tabloid method while crucifying the American decision. And truth be told maybe the 
Observer wasn't so much after you as they are after the idea of "Jamaica being the most homophobic on earth", maybe it was in some way or form a national outcry that Jamaicans have become more tolerant. But is that true?   Look at the comments that followed. I visited a house that my friend lives and  a seven year old boy says to me that there is one thing that is stupid “B.A.T.E.M.A.N”. He can’t spell but already the indoctrination of sexuality has begun. Seven. What does he know or need to know about sex? But the conversation to create another aggressively straight man has begun. So, Mel Boom Bye is still alive, it just looks different, And yes I am about to say it, in teh same way teh confederate flag still symbolizes racism. There may may not be slaves and slave hangings anymore, but churches are still being shot up. Kaci Fennell is still falling from grace.


I have decided not to publicly join the Facebook gay pride not because I am not in solidarity but because the Jamaican situation is cloaked in too many issues, and a hope that love will win in my country has become not enough. A few days ago I sit in another friend’s house and a man a visitor came up to me and questioned our relationship, questioned whether it was negative or a positive relationship. That’s the nature of our country its place of policing of sexuality either out of curiosity or out of judgment. But you already know this. 

Straight allies in Jamaica are awesome, they help to deconstruct the binary of the straight versus the gay stereotype that dancehall and our culture perpetuates and boy am I grateful that it’s you. You have beautifully broad shoulders you can take it. So let me offer you, your ascension, from your fallen grace:

Recently I watched a video of Chimamada Ngozi  Adichie talking about the Nigerian homosexuality law and her letter and response to it. She wants to live in a Nigeria where it’s okay to not agree and it’s okay to agree. I want that for Jamaica as well, and so although the Facebook profile pic is a one of solidarity I feel that there is so much more to be said and done beyond the fashionable statement of go America.

 Now I am not postulating that you should join JFlag’s core and begin to be an activist, well you could if you want to, your face on a campaign could make a real difference somehow I am sure. But I propose that you respond to the Observer, compassionately for love wins all the time. Respond please, not as way to quiet them but as a way to identify to the people that there are more than old allies, and grace is not, as president Obama said, deserved , what matters is how we receive it. Because, Jamaica in its own way of isolation and differentiation and in this kind of public bullying has showed that it has no use for grace. Instead it wants nothing more than to judge and criticize. Already the argument of sexuality and gender are becoming louder from the Caitlyn Jenner to the change in legislation. Why allow yourself to be brow beating by sensationalist media who have no respect for your ability to say I agree?
Please know that this is not me imploring  you to become our wonder woman although I am sure you can rock that Amazon costume if you so desire, but to as was Chimamanda’s experience present another idea, a clear and purposeful idea, outside of the rhetoric, outside of the: as long as them no come to me with their argument ideology, that is filled with passive aggression. A response that fosters a space for the multiple perspective, one that resides in love. And present it to the children in this island and  to adults too that it is okay to think, to be other, and still find comfort, success and even adulation. and that reminds us all that gay marriage does not take away from traditional marriage, nothing changes, people just get to say I love you more. And maybe you can end with “Drops Mic.”

Anyway, that’s my two cents. I think it’s high time you stop being bullied, singled out because you wanted to be a Miss Universe. Honestly, I don’t know whether you did it initially because everyone was or because you were like “Gosh, darn, damn it! I am so happy for these gay people.” Whatever, your reasoning, know the floodgates are opened and the possibilities are endless, add your response, if even so that the tourist board can get some monies from the honey mooners.





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