By Leonardo Blair, Staff ReporterWHILE POINTING out the inroads made in enacting legislation to protect women and children, Kingston and St. Andrew Mayor, Desmond McKenzie, has criticised the fairer sex for not doing enough to boycott entertainers who demean them.
"We need to address the issue of artistes, including some of our deejays, who continue to use lewd lyrics in referring to our women. Artistes didn't have to disrespect women in the past to make hit records and they don't have to do it now," he said.
"Unfortunately, many of the women themselves support these deejays by purchasing their records and prancing around to their music as if it means nothing. Women must decide if this is how they want to be portrayed in our art," Mayor McKenzie added.
The mayor was speaking at the launch of the Woman Inc. Trade Fair and Exhibition 2004 at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on the weekend. He challenged the largely female audience to stand up and face what he called the growing monster of disrespect, imploring them not to accept anything less than they deserve as mothers, sisters and daughters.
Mr. McKenzie, who donated $50,000 to Woman Inc. on behalf of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), praised the organisation for the work it has done throughout its 20 years of existence.
"You have become the voice of battered women and by your constant agitation, you have forced the society to confront these issues as a matter of priority," he added.
