A step in the right direction

The Editor, Sir:

Your newspaper carried the headline, 'Enough is enough', on Tuesday, where there was overwhelming support by recording and performing artistes against the shooting of Voicemail's, Oneil Edwards. This is a step in the right direction that must not be another nine-day wonder, but must serve as a catalyst for more serious stances against this monster of violence wreaking havoc in our country.

The article went on to say the time is about right that some of our artistes "stop glorifying gunmen". This cannot be overemphasised. Many persons have said this before but there are those who believe "dem a fight against di ghetto youth dem". No one is fighting our young artistes, especially those who hail from very humble circumstances in our inner cities and deep rural communities.

The real problem

Music, in and of itself, is not bad. However, when we get really creative and coin songs that endorse violence or "big-up gunman", this is where the problem comes in because most of our children see these artistes as role models and sometimes literally endorse what they are singing. The lyrical content of some of these songs is what the artistes and others who came out in support of Oneil Edwards are against and it makes a lot of sense.

We are a people who are steeped in music. Let us then, as a music loving nation, encourage our current and upcoming artistes to write, sing and record clean music that is pleasing to the ear and respect each other.

I am, etc.,

Rodwin Green

rodwin@stu.edu.ncu.jm

Siloah PO, St Elizabeth