Take Jamaica back from 'bhutoos'
published: Wednesday | January 4, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I MUST commend Valerie Dixon for her 'Public Affairs' column on Sunday, entitled 'Bhutooism: Our new ideology'. The same thoughts were running through my head all weekend, when I was bombarded by loud, coarse music and behaviour, and wondered what the future of this blessed island will be if we continue on the current path.

As a musician I have often tried to advise people of the influence of sounds, rhythms and lyrics on people's behaviour and moods, but this information is usually received with scepticism. I wonder sometimes why we have a Federation of Musicians (JFM), yet have a music industry which is almost devoid of music and musicians. No wonder young people are not rushing to be properly trained in music. What's the point of studying an instrument for eight years if you are not even going to have an audience to listen to you and appreciate your work? 'DJs' who have no training in music earn more money per show than any of our local composers and most of our best singers.

Parents need to take greater responsibility for their young and not allow them to be influenced by bhuttoos and their materialistic ideology. As Patrick Lafayette says each evening, "The television cannot raise your children", and I am convinced that a lot of the behaviour we are witnessing today is a direct result of overexposure to MTV, BET, sleazy music videos and other cable programmes, which are very unsuitable for young, impressionable minds. I hope all of us who claim to be decent Jamaicans will take this situation seriously in 2006 and take the country back from the bhutoos and the 'leggo beasts'.

I am, etc.,

KAREN HENRY

Surrey Avenue, Portmore