There is little that happens nowadays that does not find itself reported upon on some electronic media. That means that information can spread like a virus. That is happening today with an article and pictures that show an aspect of life in Barbados that I do not like--flogging. The Nation today has its front page showing a schoolboy being beaten by a teacher, reportedly for being late to school (see article). THe report indicates that 'some students stayed on the outside until principal Joseph King stopped the exercise and ordered all students to enter'. The still pictures are not edifying and it may be that the incident looks worse if seen on a video.I've written before about the practice of flogging (see previous posts on flogging), but when you see it as done at St. Leonard's School yesterday it is hard to fathom what the teacher thought he was doing.
When I see this approach to 'discipline' I wonder why it stops when people leave school. Why are university students not flogged? Why are workers not flogged? Why does a police not take me out of my car and give me a few lashes? What makes the society draw the line that says it is alright to flog young children but that once they grow up, or simply leave school, this is no longer the thing to do? Why are teachers so special that they can be the ones who inflict this kind of punishment? I've never understood so I guess I never will.
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