GREEN Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
When head of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordell Green, opened the official launch of Western Consciousness 2007, he noted that he was not in that role which most persons are accustomed to seeing him in.
Green said he was wearing the hat of a perennial supporter of Western Consciousness.
Bu Green was not in his Broadcasting commission role, he started out by referring to the electronic media, which the commission regulates. "It is very clear to all persons concerned about this country that for a long time we have been living in serious times," he said, noting that it has now reached a stage where Jamaica is at a crossroads. "The critical concern at this time is the social disintegration we see around us," he said. It is time to look at the social fabric, Green added, noting that broadcasting is a large part of that.
He said that Jamaica seems to be a country which has lost its moral compass and unfortunately persons in important roles do not grasp the importance of those roles. Green noted the sheer power and responsibility that come from being behind a microphone, whether as performers, MC or broadcaster.
Cause for concern
"What is happening in broadcasting in Jamaica today is cause for concern," Green said.
"You should prepare yourself for some significant change in the broadcasting landscape, especially in the electronic media. The end of the month is a time to watch," he said.
And Worrell King of King of Kings Promotions, which puts on Western Consciousness, said "I know that the music has contributed to the violence, the disrespect, to all manner of evil that is going on in the society today.
I know it. I have felt it, the power of music.
I have been in situations, if I was not mature, I would have been a rapist, a murderer, because of the power of music. So a lot of my younger brothers and sisters who are not so mature hear this garbage they call music and it influence their minds and (they) become rapists and murderers," he said.
"I know some of these guys doing this garbage in the name of music are victims of the system, because if you are doing garbage and it is being applauded, why should you stop? King asked. He said he was looking beyond the artiste to those who are putting it out and warned that when the day of reckoning comes their judgement will be worse.
