LETTER: Who will bell ‘The Black Cat’?

DIANE BLACK LAYNE HAS SINCE RESPONDED TO THIS ARTICLE IDENTIFYING HERSELF AS THR BLACK CAT. Here is her response: To all of the persons who are commenting and who are not former employees of the DOE, I believe that this article is meant to be a character assignation for me. I am Diann Black-Layne, Director of the DOE and based on the article I think the black Cat is being referred to me. I do not normally comment on stuff like this but I think this gives me an opportunity to speak to a phenomenon that affects so many persons in the work place and I hope you can at least just listen. This is bullying, gossiping and character assignation by women towards others. I am not in position to give all of the details but as citizens and tax payers you pay my salary and when I see a member of staff at the DOE being physically threatened and harassed I will call it out. Imagine if that staff member is your family…you parent, sibling, cousin etc would you not want me to do something about it? My name is being dragged in the mud by anonymous persons, in secret as they also try to undermine their colleagues in secret. Secrecy of their behaviour is important as they drag mine and others name in the mud. please take a look at this very short video see if you can support other persons in the workplace to ensure that even if you cannot do anything about it, you can at least recognise this behaviour, when you see it in the workplace, your church etc.. https://youtu.be/HssQKwzEEhY. Please note I cannot do much about the issue but I can shed light on this practice. I want to end with this story. My mother is all of 5 feet zero inches, and when I was a little girl a woman and her three children ran into our yard and home asking for help from her abusive partner. The lady and her children ran passed several homes and came to my mother’s home because she knew my mother will help her. The Abusive partner was a police officer. My mother asked us to go inside and not to come out no matter what. I saw my mother stood before that police officer for what seemed like an eternity and told him that he “mus tap in de Government road” but do not enter her yard. I was so afraid for my mother but she stood there until he eventually left. My mother showed me the importance of standing up for others even when the odds are against you. My team asked for my help and I will defend my team always even if it means getting trashed in the media. The problem, that the persons who wrote this article is facing is that they came to the DOE with a calculation that they can move from job to job and continue this practice. They thought I was a pussy cat case I am quite and helpful no matter how busy I am and they misread the I am from a family of women who are Lionesses who always protect and defend the Pride!. So if you come into the DOE and pick on others I will channel my mothers Lioness power to protect the Pride ..my DOE team.. I will stand up to them even if it takes and eternity!. Team DOE are the best and they deserve the best and safe environment for them to do their jobs.

EARLIER LETTER:
Who will bell ‘The Black Cat’?

Dear Editor,

The Aesop fable of “Belling the Cat” stands as a stark reminder of the hurdles encountered while trying to put practical ideas into action, especially in the pursuit of ending the reign of a tyrant.

The story goes:

Once, in a community of mice, a cunning and fierce cat instilled constant fear. The mice convened to find a solution, leading to the suggestion of hanging a bell around the cat’s neck to alert the mice when the cat was on the prowl. While the idea was applauded, the practicality of executing it raised a critical question: who would be brave enough to bell the cat?

In Antigua, a government department suffers under the tyrannical rule of a Black cat, a leader devoid of integrity and empathy. The Black cat is responsible for both management of the department and project oversight, and with the absence of clear segregation of duties and strong guard rails, this Black cat runs rampant, leaving chaos in its wake. The Black cat’s misuse of power, lack of vision, and dearth of principles showcase it as a leader in name only.

True leadership should cultivate trust and collaboration, but this Black cat thrives on fear, victimization, and exploitation. The Black cat’s oppressive regime chokes out creativity, leaves productivity in tatters, and compels skilled young professionals to bolt from its iron claws, thereby shattering the department’s morale and depleting its talent pool. Those fortunate professionals who managed to leave are now thriving, making significant waves wherever they are.

This Black cat, in its deluded self-importance, regards itself a deity, ruling with cruelty and indifference. The Black cat’s reckless decisions waste funds earmarked for community development, resulting in numerous projects left incomplete and running on ‘no-cost extensions’.

Whistleblowers face challenges in their attempts to speak out as the Black cat shamelessly fills the staffing team with its own kin, effectively systematically neutralizing any chances of dissent.

The question looms large: who has the courage to challenge this Black cat? Who will call it out for its multitude of failures, lies, and alleged misconduct? Where is the advocate for a department rooted in principles, where decisions genuinely benefit the community? Does the government lack the spine, oversight committee the will, and the Minister the conscience to act?

It is imperative to launch a thorough investigation into the myriad of allegations against this stealthy Black cat. In this Environment, decisive action is vital to salvage the community’s welfare, and the department’s reputation both at home and in the eyes of the international community.

But who will bell the Black cat?

The silence of those in power is a damning answer.

– A Few Brave Mice

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