THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RECENT problems at Sting are not new as there has been a history of violence, obscenity and bad behaviour at some stage shows over the years. I thought we had become more sophisticated, as we try to advance in the globalised competitive world. Instead more people on the Internet can see us at our worst. The same way we fight and curse in Jamaica, we now do in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada.
There are even people trying to defend the indefensible. In which culture in the world is the love of violence, cursing women, killing homosexuals elevated to a high art? As a Jamaican who has attended uplifting, positive, excellent shows in the past, I would not pay my hard-earned money to expose myself to danger at certain of these shows. It is simply disgraceful that some of us believe that this is the kind of heritage we want to bequeath to the present generation and those to come. Where is the artistry and talent displayed in the behaviour of the performers and the patrons at these shows? Artistes have to obey the laws like the rest of us. I would not attend a show where artistes behaved in a chauvinistic and racist manner, under the guise of artistic licence overseas so I would not be going to the Jamaican equivalent.
We seem to be imitating the worst that America has to offer us as we are fed a steady diet of some of the young hiphoppers bouncing their black booties to hell and celebrating pimpdom and whoredom.
TALENT
Many Jamaican performers have not yet realised that talent is not enough, there is need for discipline and self-control. I know that some of these artistes will make money and lose it just as quickly. The managers and promoters need to be more professional, as well as the masters of ceremony. I wish most Jamai-cans had the courage to boycott any performer who promoted violence, and obscenity. The audiences that we want to attract overseas will certainly turn their backs. It is time that we cut out this foolishness and grow up as a nation. Stop defending folly and that which is indefensible.
I am etc,
HILARY ROBERTSON-
HICKLING
hilary.robertsonhickling@
uwimona .edu.jm
