Namibia is currently battling with the unpuzzling of the incidents of the death of women by their loved ones. The country is trying to find what must be the root causes of the socalled passion killing. At the same time, the nation is also trying to find the appropriate words or description for these types of deaths.
Namibia's killing of women by their husbands/lovers/spouses started some years back, with one incident that comes to mind - having been recorded in a broadcasting studio before Namibia's independence (Namibia became independent on 21st March 1990, almost 24 years ago). A husband of an announce stormed the studio then, and shot his wife in cold blood... he then turned the gun on himself, also right on the floor of the same studio.
In 1999, another gruesome death of Monica Florin was documented - at the holiday resort of Swakopmund at the West Coast. Monica Florin's husband killed her and chopped her body into peaces, some thrown in the sea, some cooked and some hidden in the attic at home. Monica's husband is still in jail though.
Recently, another case which saw a woman's body parts scattered at various road sides in plastic bags was also recorded but up to now, it is yet to be known as to who did that.
Off late, a number of women were murdered by their lovers/boyfriends and ex-boyfriends - some of whom committed suicide in the process.
Even as I write this post, another young Namibian was murdered reportedly by a boyfriend - again through passion killing related issues. And this case is just being recorded after two fresh other different incidents of murders of this nature - in a span of just over two weeks.
Many in Namibia have been referring to these cases as "passion killing" I believe because the cases seems to be caused by arguments that originate from matters of the heart, emotions between two lovers (this has been my own way of trying to make out the meaning of passion killing). But, the big question that we all have been asking is, how did these deaths end up being linked to passion? Others are asking as to what is passionate about these killings?
Today, another question that came to mind is - who actually started to label these incidents as passion killing as that person could perhaps explain what that was the case.
There are some people who seem to be offended by the usage of the word passion killing - and would rather just refer to the incidents as acts of murder? But the follow up question will be - but what type of murder is this the murder committed by a loved one? Or is murder just murder whether committed by your husband, boyfriend, burglar, assailant or thug? I guess murder remains murder.
Later this evening, after having observed a number of oncerns from those who are up in arms with those still using passion killing, I decided to do a quick survey via my facebook page by asking my friends to try and find an altertive word/description for what is know known as passion killing.
However, I am yet to receive any alternative word - as those participating in the survey also seem to have more questions that answers .. even though many of them too do not agree to the usage of the word passion killing.
We might not find the appropriate word today - but hopefully as we sleep over this question and think deeper in due course, we shall definitely find an acceptable way of refering to these murders.
I am convinced that sooner or later, we shall find that description .. Namibia had been facing a similar situation of some vocabulary or description of for instance what was known as "cancer suffers - now referred to as 'Cancer Survivors", the previously referred to "deaf people" now hearing impaired.... the disabled people now referred to as "differently able-people" and many more..
So, sooner or later, "passion killing" will be replace by an alternative word or description which could be known as....."......."
Until then, you too are welcome to suggest that alternative word/description.
Below is my quick face-book survey for this burning question for your information
Namibia's killing of women by their husbands/lovers/spouses started some years back, with one incident that comes to mind - having been recorded in a broadcasting studio before Namibia's independence (Namibia became independent on 21st March 1990, almost 24 years ago). A husband of an announce stormed the studio then, and shot his wife in cold blood... he then turned the gun on himself, also right on the floor of the same studio.
In 1999, another gruesome death of Monica Florin was documented - at the holiday resort of Swakopmund at the West Coast. Monica Florin's husband killed her and chopped her body into peaces, some thrown in the sea, some cooked and some hidden in the attic at home. Monica's husband is still in jail though.
Recently, another case which saw a woman's body parts scattered at various road sides in plastic bags was also recorded but up to now, it is yet to be known as to who did that.
Off late, a number of women were murdered by their lovers/boyfriends and ex-boyfriends - some of whom committed suicide in the process.
Even as I write this post, another young Namibian was murdered reportedly by a boyfriend - again through passion killing related issues. And this case is just being recorded after two fresh other different incidents of murders of this nature - in a span of just over two weeks.
Many in Namibia have been referring to these cases as "passion killing" I believe because the cases seems to be caused by arguments that originate from matters of the heart, emotions between two lovers (this has been my own way of trying to make out the meaning of passion killing). But, the big question that we all have been asking is, how did these deaths end up being linked to passion? Others are asking as to what is passionate about these killings?
Today, another question that came to mind is - who actually started to label these incidents as passion killing as that person could perhaps explain what that was the case.
There are some people who seem to be offended by the usage of the word passion killing - and would rather just refer to the incidents as acts of murder? But the follow up question will be - but what type of murder is this the murder committed by a loved one? Or is murder just murder whether committed by your husband, boyfriend, burglar, assailant or thug? I guess murder remains murder.
Later this evening, after having observed a number of oncerns from those who are up in arms with those still using passion killing, I decided to do a quick survey via my facebook page by asking my friends to try and find an altertive word/description for what is know known as passion killing.
However, I am yet to receive any alternative word - as those participating in the survey also seem to have more questions that answers .. even though many of them too do not agree to the usage of the word passion killing.
We might not find the appropriate word today - but hopefully as we sleep over this question and think deeper in due course, we shall definitely find an acceptable way of refering to these murders.
I am convinced that sooner or later, we shall find that description .. Namibia had been facing a similar situation of some vocabulary or description of for instance what was known as "cancer suffers - now referred to as 'Cancer Survivors", the previously referred to "deaf people" now hearing impaired.... the disabled people now referred to as "differently able-people" and many more..
So, sooner or later, "passion killing" will be replace by an alternative word or description which could be known as....."......."
Until then, you too are welcome to suggest that alternative word/description.
Below is my quick face-book survey for this burning question for your information
I have just asked for some potential appropriate/acceptable word/words or description for what is now referred to as "passion-killing", but it seems many of us are still trying to find themselves in this....
Now think about similar situations that changed by looking at:
1. Cancer sufferer - now Cancer Survivor
2. Deaf People - now Hearing Impaired
3. Disabled people - now physically challenged or differently able people
4. Passion-killers/Passion killing now ......................?????
Can we refer to passion killing and murder? If not, why - if yes, why??
We need to help one another to find a solution to this as some people feel passion killing is inappropriate and seems to be the opposite of the act...or meaning something else not related to the incident.
Now think about similar situations that changed by looking at:
1. Cancer sufferer - now Cancer Survivor
2. Deaf People - now Hearing Impaired
3. Disabled people - now physically challenged or differently able people
4. Passion-killers/Passion killing now ......................?????
Can we refer to passion killing and murder? If not, why - if yes, why??
We need to help one another to find a solution to this as some people feel passion killing is inappropriate and seems to be the opposite of the act...or meaning something else not related to the incident.
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