The late Gerald 'Bogle' Levy
Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
THE RECENT killing of well-known dancer and musician Gerald <'Bogle' Levy has pushed the world of dancehall more into the limelight.
For years, but in recent times in particular, critics have chastised dancehall music, claiming it fosters a culture of violence and hatred. Many have used Bogle's killing to support these criticisms. But how fair is this association?
Reverend Al Miller, the outspoken head of Whole Life Ministries, weighed in on the issue. Miller said he did not believe Bogle's death should be directly linked to the
criticisms of dancehall music made over the years.
BASIC CRIMINALITY
"Bogle's murder speaks more to a wider problem of basic criminality and a scant regard for human life that is haunting the nation. It is evidence mainly of human wickedness. We have become a people who have adopted the mentality that, 'mi can do it and nothing happen'," he said.
Miller added that he believed there are numerous positive aspects to dancehall music.
"We are not into the slackness of course, but when there are positive lyrics, a lot of good can come of it. Capleton and even Beenie Man, are able to make positive music when they so choose, and this is what we would encourage them to do. Even Vybz Kartel has one or two positive songs that can uplift the people," he said.
Miller, however, cautioned against adopting the belief that music does not influence the behaviour of the population.
"Music is the most powerful influence on the human mind. It does have the power to influence behaviour, and so forces of evil may therefore capitalise on it. Some
dancehall music puts people in a mindset that violence is nothing: 'Mi jus ago tun man inna duppy. Mi can pop off mi gun and nobody can talk to mi', kind of thing," he said.
CREATE UPLIFTING MUSIC
Miller said it is important therefore, to encourage the artistes to focus more on creating uplifting music. He said he would be willing to intervene in the affairs of dancehall to do whatever he could to promote peace. "It is something I have been wanting to do for some time now. I would love to sit with the artistes and work with them. That is what the church is here for, to help the world to be a better place. It is something I would be into big time," he said.
Carolyn Cooper, professor of literary and cultural studies and coordinator of the Reggae Studies Unit at the University of the West Indies, said Bogle's death should not be used to support claims that dancehall music promotes violence.
"How would you explain what happened in Braeton? Are we going to blame dancehall for what happened there? Our society has a history of violence, so blaming dancehall really makes no sense," she said.
Professor Cooper noted that she did not expect Bogle's death to have a significant impact on the future of dancehall in Jamaica.
"He was a talented performer, a true stylist, and we will miss him. But I don't think his death will impact negatively on the future of dancehall, except that it will be an excuse for those who like to criticise dancehall, to do so. Bogle's death is a clear sign that the society, in general, has become too violent. Bogle is only one of several people
murdered already this year and it's only the fifth week of the year. Let's not forget all the others. " she stated.
Professor Cooper added that she does not support the demonisation of the dancehall. "Banning dances will not force people to become decent citizens. If they were not at the dances, they would be doing something else like watching cable television. Are we then going to ban cable television?"
