Thomas Phinemann, Contributor

There is much talk of male marginalisation and the poor performance of males in our schools - at all levels. If we are marginalised as males, who are these males, and who is responsible for marginalising them? What can we do about it?

These are questions that men need to ask themselves if they intend to pull themselves back from the brink of self-destruction.

According to Collins Cobuild Dictionary for Advanced Learners "To marginalise a group of people means to make them feel isolated and unimportant."

Those of us who are from what some refer to as inner-city communities and rural Jamaica are often made to feel isolated and unimportant. So it is reasonable to say that males from inner-city communities and rural Jamaica are marginalised.

Some men are forced to lie about their home address because employers might discriminate against them, despite their qualifications. Giving their correct home address is tantamount to career suicide, simply because they live on the wrong side of town. We know that this applies to both men and women. The popular song, Wrong Address, by songstress Etana, speaks to this issue. But for us, men, it is even more painful and frustrating because we have to provide not only for ourselves but also for our families.

Downright stupid

Those of us from rural Jamaica are sometimes treated as if we are unsophisticated, unexposed and downright stupid. The pejorative terms 'country boy' and 'country bumpkin' are often used to make us ashamed of our roots.

However, men, particularly, must take responsibility for their state. Though women have some hold on the reins of power in every stratum of society - business, social, political - men have the larger share of the power pie. Men have the numerical advantage where positions of power are concerned in Parliament, the board room and the Church.

Primarily responsible

If men are being marginalised, it would appear that we are primarily responsible for our demise. We have the power to do what we want. We can make the changes necessary to create a more equitable society. We can be more supportive of each other in the quest to lead crime-free lives. We can be respectful of each other, irrespective of class, status or place of residence.

Feelings of irrelevance

The truth is, if we believe in ourselves and the power that lies within each of us, no one can make us feel isolated and unimportant without our permission. Believing in ourselves, our goals and our dreams and drawing from our source of power, however we conceive of that source, enables us to rise above feelings of irrelevance.

We can claim our rightful place as men who are bold, courageous and willing to make a difference. We must move beyond our feelings and excuses, although they are real. Crime and violence marginalises all of us. Fear breeds isolation and distrust. We do not need to be victims or perpetrators of marginalisation. WE are in charge of our lives.

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