THE EDITOR, Sir:I SEE where Bob Marley's birthday will be used to generate peace and love in Jamaica and by extension to the world. I think this is an excellent idea and endorse it fully.
I do think, however, that we need to keep in mind the fact that, through music, we can change the world. What we need to do is to encourage singers and songwriters to become aware that whatever we sing about and put our attention to becomes reality. If we focus our attention on war, poverty and crime, by singing, reporting ,and continuously putting these negatives in our consciousness, the more of it we will get.
Ernest Holmes in Science of Mind said: "We have looked at poverty, degradation and misery until they have reached gigantic proportions. Now we must look at harmony, happiness,
prosperity, plenty and right action until they appear."
I have noted that Professor Barry Chevannes of the University of the West Indies is one of the leading advocates of this initiative, and for that he should be congratulated. I suggest that he encourage participating artistes at this event, to sing about love, peace and harmony. We don't want to use this event to sing about war in Afghanistan or anywhere else. We get enough of that in the newspapers and television.
As a medical practitioner, my prescription for Jamaica on that day is that the entire country should use this opportunity to cooperate in consciously and purposely thinking only positive thoughts. In this respect, our media have a very important role to play. They are our most powerful educational and awareness tool.
Play only songs of peace, harmony, and love on the radio stations that day. Report only good and positive news for one day in the newspapers, and have no programmes on TV showing violence, criminal activities, blood and gore, or war. Our churches must project God as a loving and forgiving father, and not as vengeful, jealous, and full of wrath, which encourages us to behave likewise.
We can use music to cure the world of hate and violence. We must embrace a powerful campaign to let mankind realise how music and sound impacts on the social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of our lives.
To the participants of this wonderful event, let us use this opportunity to promote peace and love by focusing on these two things, and use positive words and thoughts only in your presentations. One love.
I am, etc.,
DR. WINSOME MILLER-ROWE
3 Fort Street
Montego Bay
