THE EDITOR, Sir:I CONGRATULATE Dawn Ritch for her article published on Sunday, August 3. I have voiced this opinion on the effects of dancehall music on the population many, many times.
Her heading should have been 'Dancehall, violence and cultural decline'. When one considers the many brainwashing exercises carried out with music as the medium I fully agree that the constant 24-hour intrusion into some areas of society has done possibly irreparable harm to the younger generation.
Most of the erratic driving patterns we encounter daily have a driver speeding as if to get away from the murderous guttural vibrations in the back seat of his or her car. Are we going to allow this madness to destroy our way of life? I don't think we can allow this to happen.
On Sunday evening the New Kingston street jam was a disgraceful display of what is destroying our nation; it is time to stop it. These so-called artistes should not be allowed to perform anywhere in Jamaica for at least six months, if at all. We have to hit them where it hurts - in their pocket. There is another worrying trend that needs a serious review. That is the way we glorify street demonstrations on the international television.
The outside world must see us as a people unkempt, war-like and living in total squalor, as this is what the TV stations headline in most newscasts. The day after independence the four headliners were in order of importance: demonstration in Old Harbour, deaths and more deaths on the road etc. Do we have to use those as lead stories or were there some really nice things that happened during independence. We need to create a voice of Jamaicans for Jamaica to speak out not only at cocktail parties and on our verandas. Let our protests be loud and clear. We must demand decency and good manners to rebuild our nation. Let us begin to stand for decency in every sphere of our society; do not allow someone to push you out of the line in the supermarket or anywhere else; demand service in public places. Let us begin today.
I am, etc.,
A.GUY MORRIS
aguymorris@bigplanet.com
