Devon Dick MY FIRST recollection of Louise Fraser-Bennett was at a committee meeting of the initial National Values and Attitudes campaign. She struck me as a genuine person who wanted to encourage clean and healthy lyrics in music. Louise was on a crusade to promote good music. She was an advocate against gun lyrics. She wanted dancehall to be nice again.
As founding member and lead spokesperson for the Sound System Association of Jamaica, she was very caring for the less fortunate. She and her crew organised a Christmas Treat for children who had become orphans because their parents were victims of gun violence.
CHAMPIONING REFORM
Even before she became a Christian she was championing reform for inmates through positive music. I remember how one Sunday, she organised some inmates to sing and minister at Boulevard Baptist Church. The ministry was greatly appreciated. It was not surprising that a couple years after she gave her life to Christ.
What was remarkable about this Christian lady was her maturity and lack of self-righteousness. She was always quick to admit her culpability in the state of the dancehall music and willing to make amends. The last time I spoke with Louise was in May at the University of the West Indies at the Don Drummond Symposium organised by Dr. Clinton Hutton, an occasion she used to confess her sins and pledging to make amends.
Louise also wanted former inmates to make amends and to be given a new start. She would write letters to me about inmates she believed should be on parole and to get me involved in that process. Louise also wanted the people in inner-city areas to walk on the straight path. She invited me on her programme at Sauce studios to talk about proper values and attitudes. I remember that interview for other reasons. After I presented her with a copy of my book, Rebellion to Riot: The Jamaican Church in Nation Building she read excerpts of the book that dealt with music and values. Of all the interviews, I have done here or overseas she was the only person who read excerpts on air. She was an excellent interviewer.
In addition, she had would do auditions of promising youngsters and the best ones with the correct attitude and good lyrics were selected to perform. Though the size of the studio allowed performers only the luxury to dance on the spot and though there was only one camera to give all the angles, she told the youngsters that they cannot perform in the same clothes that they wore on the streets. All of them had to change because she was preparing them for stardom. These were persons from, 'Ready fi Bus Crew'. Louise loved the Arts.
Ted Dwyer was another one who loved the Arts. I remember him visiting Jamaica National Heritage Trust to seek help for the restoration of the Ward Theatre. The last time we spoke was in August at the JCDC's display of talents at the Ranny Williams Centre. He was his usual gracious self in complimenting me on my book while telling me that I failed to mention EXED, a Methodist institution, and its contribution to teacher training and nursing education. May Louise and Ted rest in peace.
SADDENED
However, both would be saddened by the way Jennifer Brown died because both were passionate about justice. Jennifer Brown, died as a result of the failure of State apparatus. She was given contaminated blood. She developed AIDS and the Ministry of Health admitted the error. But to add insult to injury, the Ministry did not keep its end of the bargain including sending the drug to her in Mandeville. She had to travel, at her own expense, to Kingston to pick up the needed medication. Now the young lady died leaving a child. This death is a result of error, bad treatment and negligence.
There has been enough hue and cry. Apart from Dr. Trevor McCarthy's sincere apologies and a statement from the MOH to make a contribution towards the funeral expenses it is business as usual.
The Minister of Health should be a worried man because the health care system is so uncaring that could lead to a lack of confidence in blood transfusion. He must fire the persons responsible and offer his resignation to the Prime Minister because a life has been lost in a most callous way due to a failing health system.
Let us remember Louise, Ted and Jennifer Brown and pledge to continue their good work and seek justice for Jennifer Brown and her family.
The Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
