Vybz Kartel trial: statement on our country's moral culture and social fabric

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I doubt that anything will make a stronger or more poignant statement on our country's moral culture and social fabric than the weeks of trial and subsequent verdict of renowned dancehall artiste and icon Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer by the Jamaican judiciary on Thursday, March 13.

I am disheartened by some persons, even of the higher intellectual echelon, who seem to suggest that Kartel's intelligence or giftedness as an artiste should afford him privileges as some kind of national asset. This further reinforces my conviction that, wherever a utilitarian approach is embraced, whether as a political theory or even unknowingly as a personal philosophy, it is always seen to be attended by a sense of apathy and insensitivity in its adherents to some moral and ethical issues seen by many as essential to human coexistence and well-being. In this case, it would seem to militate even against law and order.

Strangely, I am also not entirely satisfied with the attitude of others at the other and extreme end of the popular spectrum who are simply vocal and jubilant that justice is done and society simply should be rid of these scourges to humanity. This might be an understandable sentiment of many persons, and especially those who have been victims of the increasing horror of crime and violence in this country. But it is with a sense of great sadness and foreboding that I seek a middle ground. This is usually a difficult and precarious position, but it is usually where the root causes of most issues lie.

Someone I cannot particularly remember at this moment shared something that I always remember. He or she said that, if a frog is dropped into hot water, it promptly and instinctively jumps out of it. But what if it is placed into water of normal temperature and set to boil? It will remain until it is boiled to death. This is a sad-but-true analogy of our society from both a moral and cultural perspective. I have made the statement elsewhere that we live in a so-called 'age of enlightenment'. This is not to be taken as a slur on the intelligence of anyone. Compromise is sometimes our first step towards ruin and destruction. It often seems harmless and even humane, such as accommodation of the views of others. Then there comes tolerance - an effort within to conceal or suppress our instinctive reactions towards things or persons because of the fear of the labels of "opinionated", "biased" by others. The third and final stage is chronic insensitivity - a loss or impairment of the sense of perception, and consequently, action.

The Vybz Kartel issue has led me to some serious conclusions and grim resignation. As a member of the more mature generation in years, I have often lamented the significant generation gap between myself and even my own children. We see many negative things in stark contrast to our own childhood only a few decades ago. The tendency of us older folks is to respond to this as a phenomenon of which we neither had full cognizance nor control. We seem to forget the fact that our youths are products of ourselves.

phenomenal influence

I return to this sad issue of one of the darkest moments in our moral and social history because Vybz Kartel's influence on young and not-so-young minds in this country is phenomenal. And I want to be clear here that I believe this is regrettable and, not only because of Kartel's persona, but also the general tone of dancehall in recent years. But nonetheless, this is simply a reality. Many persons feel what they enjoy as entertainment is not of any consequence to their lives in a holistic sense.

Many of us imagine we would do a better job than the police and the justice system. But are we honestly evaluating our own houses? We as a people have neglected, even disdained, the highest authority there is, God the Creator of all life and order.

Whenever we neglect or oppose authority, there are dire consequences. Our children have also followed our footsteps in disobeying maybe the most integral commandment for a society. As parents and spiritual leaders, we will have to answer to God for the state of our homes and, collectively, the nation. When we are tried, I wonder to what court we will make appeal for a retrial or mercy.

Rupert G. Kennedy, (pastor) Unity In Christ Mennonite Church unityinchristmennonitechurch@yahoo.com