Opinion: Messy Marvin

Ok, ya’ll. It’s almost been a week. And, honestly, it’s taken me this long to stop reeling from what Marvin Blyden said about the good women of the VIPD who serve and protect all of us living in these Virgin Islands we call home.

Let’s see…how did Marvin put it again? [scratching head].

“…too many women are in the police force…”
“…women are too timid…”
“…I’m just keeping it real…”

Where shall we begin with these juvenile and irresponsible statements Messy Marvin made, on record, in his official capacity as Senator in the 31st Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Perhaps we should begin right here: The women of the Virgin Islands, and the men who love them, demand an official apology from Marvin Blyden and call for his immediate resignation from office. There is no place in public office for persons who espouse such views.

The old people used to say what is done in darkness will surely come to light. So said, so done. Marvin’s private views about women–what he believes they are incapable of doing or being–came to light in a large and ugly way in the chambers of our most sacred Virgin Islands’ institution.

Marvin made clear that he holds a sort of contempt for female law enforcement officers–and by proxy, women as a whole. Get this, he blames these hard working women for achieving and doing and protecting and serving. That’s because they pursued a career of their choosing–a career that puts their lives in harms way each and every day–they should be shamed rather than praised; ridiculed rather than celebrated; and made to feel guilty rather than supported. After all, he said, he was simply “keeping it real.”

Marvin Blyden, when called on his bluff, hurriedly directed his handlers to prepare a messy, (non-apologetic) statement and, in the course of less than 24 hours, managed to put his foot in his mouth once again.

Instead of humbly apologizing for his inflammatory remarks about female law enforcement officers, Marvin Blyden became wildly defensive…

“…my statements were taken out of context…” he pitifully wrote in a one-page statement.

Then, to add insult to injury, a final cruel act of pouring salt in the wound, Marvin, in his poorly thought out one-pager, made known that he has eight (8) sisters. The implication was that it was not possible for him to have ill feelings toward women.

This is laughable.

Conduct a Google search on any given serial killer–especially those who have killed women or children–and you will find that many of them are married men who have families of their own. So, the fact that Marvin Blyden has eight sisters has no bearing on the clearly sexist and discriminatory views he hold against women.

I wonder what kind of brother Marvin Blyden been to his eight sisters? What kind of son has he been to his mother? Anyone knows? I would do anything to have been a fly on the wall in the Blyden household. Chile! SMH.

Marvin Blyden messed all over the Senate floor and messed up big time. Is this the kind of person we want leading us for any extended period of time? This man is dangerous, a loose cannon.

I implore all the good people of these Virgin Islands to demand that Marvin Blyden resigns his Senate seat immediately. He, and others who may share his views, is an embarrassment to the Virgin Islands and all that our many female ancestors, enter Queen Mary, Bottom Belly, Queen Mathilda, stood for.

Marvin, you made this mess and the only way to clean it up is with your swift resignation. I am embarrassed for you. I am embarrassed that your eight sisters have one brother that, apparently, would look down on them based on their career choice.

Messy Marvin, you gotta go.

Submitted by: Theresa Trinidad

The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the staff and management of the VI Consortium.