The power of music

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Recent reports of visitors to our island being sexually assaulted while on vacation at their five-star luxury hotels, even in their very rooms, is cause for grave concern to all well-thinking Jamaicans.

While it's not my intention to either condone or trivialise the situation, I find it rather puzzling when juxtaposed with the area of our culture which relates to street dances.

There are scores of street dances held across the length and breadth of Jamaica.

These dances which are held in some volatile areas are attended in droves by visitors from North America, Japan, Europe and South America.

These dances are held in places where even locals fear to tread.

NO ASSAULT

There is the Nipples Tuesday in Waterhouse; Wapping Thursdays in Cockburn Pen; on Wednesdays Philly Black's Plaza on Olympic Way comes alive with a bash; Marverley has its weekend bash; there is an event in Greenwich Farm; Boom Sundays in Grants Pen, not to mention those spread across Montego Bay in St James.

In all of this, I am yet to hear of anyone being assaulted or raped at any of these events where there is copious use of ganja and consumption of alcohol, notwithstanding the mode of dress of the females in attendance, which leaves nothing to the imagination. Then there is the style of dances they execute which at best can be described as 'sexual outer course'.

Now, it's either that assault and rape are non-existent or not being reported.

If it's a case of the former, then it's proof that music is the most powerful unifying force on the planet.

No wonder it is said when music hits you, you feel no pain.

Donald Plummer

St Andrew