Julien Alfred deserves to be celebrated with dignity, not reduced to the butt of a demeaning joke.

At the unveiling ceremony of a mural at the Ciceron Primary School meant to celebrate St. Lucia's pride, Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred, Minister of Youth and Sports Kenson Casimir managed to overshadow the moment with an insensitive and demeaning statement. His words, “Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, let's stand as I introduce to you, the myth, the legend, met bondar yo tout, our very own, Julien 'JUJU' Alfred” left many stunned. Delivered in Creole, the phrase “met bondar yo tout,” meaning “master of their backside,” was highly inappropriate and gave the moment a derogatory tone. What should have been an inspirational occasion for students of Alfred's alma mater was instead marred by tasteless language.

Minister of Sports

Casimir’s choice of words, especially in Creole—a language that carries cultural weight and nuance—has rightfully angered parents across the island. What was intended as humor came off as crass and disrespectful, particularly in front of school children. As an Olympian and a role model, Julien Alfred deserves to be celebrated with dignity, not reduced to the butt of a demeaning joke.

It’s one thing to make a mistake, but what adds insult to injury is the minister's failure to issue a prompt apology. Leaders are expected to set an example, especially when addressing the nation’s youth. The students who attended the event looked up to Alfred as a beacon of excellence; instead, they witnessed a high-ranking government official undermine that achievement with a crude remark. Parents, who are now demanding an apology, have every right to be outraged. They expect better from the people tasked with nurturing and inspiring the next generation.

But perhaps even more shocking is the deafening silence from the St. Lucia Teachers' Union.

President SLTU

This is an organization that claims to champion the values of discipline, respect, and moral integrity in our schools. Yet, despite the backlash from parents, the newly elected president of the union has remained disturbingly quiet. Where is the condemnation? Where is the voice of advocacy for students who were subjected to this kind of behavior from a public official?

The union’s silence sends a dangerous message—that authority figures can get away with disrespectful behavior without consequence. Is this really the example we want to set for the young minds entrusted to our care? If the Teachers' Union is truly committed to fostering a healthy, respectful environment in schools, they must act. Ignoring this issue suggests they are complicit in allowing such behavior to go unchecked.

Julien Alfred

Minister Casimir’s words were not just a slip of the tongue; they were a gross display of poor judgment in a setting where decorum and respect should have been paramount. He owes an apology, not only to Julien Alfred but also to the students, teachers, and parents of St. Lucia. To brush this off as harmless banter is to ignore the deeper impact it has on our young people.

Equally, the St. Lucia Teachers' Union must break its silence. As the body responsible for upholding standards in education and behavior, they cannot sit idly by while such inappropriate language is normalized in front of students. They must speak out and demand that public officials be held accountable when they cross the line.

Minister Casimir, it’s time to do the right thing—apologize. A moment meant to honor one of St. Lucia's brightest stars has instead become a source of embarrassment. The minister should take responsibility and show true leadership by admitting his error.

And to the Teachers' Union: Silence is complicity. Our children are watching, and they deserve better from the very institutions sworn to protect their development. It's time to stand up, speak out, and demand that respect and integrity remain non-negotiable in our schools.