The Editor, Sir:

Please allow me to congratulate your 'Letter of the Day' writer (Harvey Brown - Thursday, November 30), and endorse his message. As a Jamaican abroad, I miss Jamaica in many terribly ways. There is hardly a week that I don't have fond dreams of home, but never at any time have I missed being a captive audience to dancehall music, as I used to be at times, in public places in Jamaica.

Mr. Brown's disgust at the content of the music is justified, but my greater concern is the fact that it is inflicted on the public (and even the unfortunate children of misguided family members at home). If an adult wants to tube filth into his/her ears, there is little that another adult can do about it. However, for God's sake, use earphones and leave the rest of us out of the mire.

To give credit where it is due, I was really relieved on a visit last year to note that the loud scourge had been removed from the city buses, and that one could travel in peace. In fact, one female bus driver on the Papine to Half-Way-Tree route treated her passengers very sweetly one morning to some real music - her own rendition of various songs, delivered in a volume respectful of anyone who might have been in an unfortunate enough frame of mind not to appreciate being serenaded.

Needless to say, those who were not downright grateful for a musical start to the day, were, at least, amused. So, there is still music that is pleasant, and then, of course, there is ... just nasty noise.

I am, etc.,

M. EVANGELINE ANDERSON

meanderson@rogers.com

1008 Buckskin Way

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica