THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAITED a long time hoping that the whole business of 'musical violence' would be addressed, and my heart rejoices in satisfaction after reading the article so brilliantly penned by Kavelle Anglin-Christie. I am happy for the timely enlightenment so vividly portrayed by this article published in The Sunday Gleaner of June 25, 2006.
Violence in any form is unwelcome in Jamaica at this moment. Therefore the plea for restriction on songs that depict hostility in any form must be a current topical issue. The electronic media must choose to separate themselves from these disparaging lyrics and spare the Jamaican public the agony of having to drink in this perpetual unsavoury diet. No matter how an artiste compromises, their message of 'death to informers' is very obvious and we have to stop feeding this message to our young people. Music is part of Jamaican culture. Our music has captured the heart of the world.
Since we live in a world where the walkman, discman, and the I-pod are the preferred means of listening to music our children sometimes go to bed with these songs in their heads.
I just want to commend Kavelle for an article that is not only well written, but one that should catch the attention of all the people concerned including government agencies, media houses, music industry personnel, parents, guardians, and recording artistes. My supplication to artistes, musicians, and record producers is simple. Stop making songs that teach violence. Your children are also listening.
I am, etc.,
RUPERT ANDERSON
alfomega32@hotmail.com
Brooklyn, NY
Via Go-Jamaica
