A gripping narrative on domestic violence
This article is from The Gleaner — Contributed by Curtis Myrie
Fiction, it is said, is not always about what is being made up – and books often found what still may not be hidden. Jamaica-born author in South Florida, Davonie Green, who briefly but stoutly arm wrestled Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police, Dr Kevin Blake, on female murder statistics during his presentation in Plantation, Florida, returned to the Island Space Caribbean Museum recently for the launch of her debut novel on domestic violence.
Her book, For The Women Painted Purple, a gripping narrative of violence against women in St Ann, Jamaica, with a mysterious vigilante emerging, is as real as one can imagine. The story follows four women, all different personalities and all abused – one a Christian and married to a high school principal; another a banker; one attending the Maritime Institute, her education sponsored by an older man; and the fourth, a kept woman, college educated, maiden who is a fixture at a private home of an older man as well – known to us as a ‘sugar daddy’.
Going through hell, they all start going to the same therapist, who is also a victim of domestic violence … and every page should hold your interest as a vigilante emerges from the group, striking back – fatally – eventually eluding the police, who are mesmerised by the dare and deception of the suspect, making her exit in the end to another Caribbean destination.
FERTILE MIND
Fiction that is a product of the fertile mind of the author, with an accredited master’s degree from FIU in mental health consulting and a bachelor’s in public health specialising in substance abuse, the horrors, however, are quite real. Alarmed at how domestic violence was on the rise, she started writing the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic, deciding against writing letters to newspaper editors as she had initially considered.
Statistics are also integrated into the book, and she said that she carries no chip. Being the mother of a son, she is also not angry with men ….”but men need to be on notice”, she says, “because as women we’re not taking this lying down”.
This awareness, consciousness, and social value that is instilled discipline should begin in school, “here from Grade 9,” she says, “conflict resolution skills being taught should be mandatory. We also need to take a look at freeing up gun lawns for women and lifting the ban on tasers and stun guns … and women should be encouraged to take up martial arts”.
She is fully aware, she says, that particular patriarchal socialisation is systemic and things will not change in a day – or even a decade – but the book is about driving and heightening critical awareness “because domestic violence is not just interpersonal – the trauma transcends relationships, affecting those surrounding, and the society as a whole. Offending men must therefore be shamed in public places. There are veils to be lifted – bring back the shame.”
Conclusion
Davonie Green, child growing up in Bamboo, St Ann, carrying water, and standing ground in a circle of boys, is determined, driven, and always goal oriented. That is attribute of women everywhere knowing their value – especially ‘for the women painted purple’, the very title of her intriguing book, putting us all on notice.
A gripping narrative on domestic violence
Fiction, it is said, is not always about what is being made up – and books often found what still may not be hidden. Jamaica-born author in South Florida, Davonie Green, who briefly but stoutly arm wrestled Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police, Dr Kevin Blake, on female murder statistics during his presentation in Plantation, Florida, returned to the Island Space Caribbean Museum recently for the launch of her debut novel on domestic violence.
Her book, For The Women Painted Purple, a gripping narrative of violence against women in St Ann, Jamaica, with a mysterious vigilante emerging, is as real as one can imagine. The story follows four women, all different personalities and all abused – one a Christian and married to a high school principal; another a banker; one attending the Maritime Institute, her education sponsored by an older man; and the fourth, a kept woman, college educated, maiden who is a fixture at a private home of an older man as well – known to us as a ‘sugar daddy’.
Going through hell, they all start going to the same therapist, who is also a victim of domestic violence … and every page should hold your interest as a vigilante emerges from the group, striking back – fatally – eventually eluding the police, who are mesmerised by the dare and deception of the suspect, making her exit in the end to another Caribbean destination.
FERTILE MIND
Fiction that is a product of the fertile mind of the author, with an accredited master’s degree from FIU in mental health consulting and a bachelor’s in public health specialising in substance abuse, the horrors, however, are quite real. Alarmed at how domestic violence was on the rise, she started writing the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic, deciding against writing letters to newspaper editors as she had initially considered.
Statistics are also integrated into the book, and she said that she carries no chip. Being the mother of a son, she is also not angry with men ….”but men need to be on notice”, she says, “because as women we’re not taking this lying down”.
This awareness, consciousness, and social value that is instilled discipline should begin in school, “here from Grade 9,” she says, “conflict resolution skills being taught should be mandatory. We also need to take a look at freeing up gun lawns for women and lifting the ban on tasers and stun guns … and women should be encouraged to take up martial arts”.
She is fully aware, she says, that particular patriarchal socialisation is systemic and things will not change in a day – or even a decade – but the book is about driving and heightening critical awareness “because domestic violence is not just interpersonal – the trauma transcends relationships, affecting those surrounding, and the society as a whole. Offending men must therefore be shamed in public places. There are veils to be lifted – bring back the shame.”
Conclusion
Davonie Green, child growing up in Bamboo, St Ann, carrying water, and standing ground in a circle of boys, is determined, driven, and always goal oriented. That is attribute of women everywhere knowing their value – especially ‘for the women painted purple’, the very title of her intriguing book, putting us all on notice.