Is Wuking Up “Without limits” Barbadian Culture?

Submitted by Yardbroom

Youths ‘wukking up’ 2 ‘Go Stabby’ during the Bajan Kadooment

In recent years a certain type of wuking up has become a popular Barbadian pastime. Its popularity has meant there is now a license to do anything in public, providing it is accompanied by music. My intention is not to take a moral view on this issue as I do not have that authority. However, if participants display in public, they cannot be surprised if people comment on a public medium.

Last year I saw a boy not more than ten years of age wuking up behind a fully grown woman. As the tempo of the music increased the boy got closer to the woman, encouraged by a crowd of adults who witnessed the spectacle. I moved away on seeing this exhibition, as I felt uncomfortable.

In a quiet reflective period after, I asked myself, was I out of touch with modern Barbadian society? Was I unable to understand our culture? and if this was our culture, how long could it have been so, without my noticing.

Could it be that a certain section of society has decided to define what is our culture, and others not wishing to be seen as out of step, are agreeing to all manner of things? It is often difficult to take a principled stand on issues which are not directly related to one’s personal behaviour, as you are open to being told, there is no compulsion for anyone to participate, or even watch. This is quite true, however, as I have alluded to previously, personal behaviour when public must take cognizance of public sensibilities. No one would say that wuking up is bad, or should not be allowed…that is obviously silly. What I am addressing is lewd behaviour masking itself as wuking up.

When men and women – sometimes small children encouraged by adults – adopt positions of copulation (dry sexing) with no attempt at art or finess, the intention being to depict the sexual act in a public place, it is time for questions to be asked. Are there no boundaries? How should adults interact with children? Does our public behaviour have any social restraints? Can we enjoy ourselves within a cultural frame that indentifies who we are, without going beyond acceptable bounds or limiting our cultural identity?

I seek not to rain on the party, but I was disturbed by what I saw. A small boy wuking up behind a grown woman, encouraged by adults. Our women often ask for equality, to which they are entitled and should be given without equivocation. There is a broader issue here which our women must consider. Women will be respected more if they are inclined to respect themselves.

This brings me to another point, I wonder what that small boy thought of women and the respect he should have for them when the music stopped…alast life does not stop, when the music does, in all its variations and facets it continues, perhaps only perhaps we should review how we behave in public places, or should we?

To those women who ask, what about the men? I simply say it is just that I expect more of you.

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