A chance for renewal, Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart

Friday, September 03, 2010

We are not about to try to deny that Ragashanti Live, the popular talk show that Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart used to host on NewsTalk 93FM, represented a significant, albeit unenviable, aspect of our culture.

Yes, sadly, there is in our society, a rather unfortunate streak that has manifested itself in a dangerous potpourri of antisocial behaviour.

Said behaviour is at the root of the increasing crime rate that has all but overwhelmed us in recent years.

The murders, the rapes, the instances of carnal abuse, the teenage pregnancies... most if not all have their genesis in what Dr Stewart dubbed 'mix up'.

Why anyone would want to glorify and wallow in this particular phenomenon in the name of culture or anything else is beyond us.

However, as Dr Stewart's ratings proved, many people fell in love with the idea of airing their dirty linen — day in, day out — on the airwaves.

According to the estimate quoted by Dr Stewart in yesterday's edition, the show raked in over $70 million between 2008 and now.

That's nothing to sneeze at within the context of the current global economic crunch. However, it doesn't follow that a radio station, which purports to be representative of the region's premier university, can afford — in the name of money, ratings, cultural democracy or anything else — to hold its nose above what we deem to be undiluted slackness.

As a doctor of anthropology, Dr Stewart understood, perhaps better than most, why many of us behave the way we do.

He therefore could have used that knowledge on the platform which he was so privileged to have occupied to lift the mass of dullards who patronised his offerings from the social abyss which inspired them to glorify the unseemly.

The tambourines which he beat so vigorously in support of the poor women whose vision was eternally blighted by the belief that their most valuable asset lay between their legs as opposed to their ears, could have been used to celebrate so many other uplifting aspects of our culture.

Why, we wonder, did he too often dive for the lowest common denominator?

Is it that he truly believed that his brand of entertainment represented the best way forward for the country?

Or did he just not care?

Was he pandering to the will of the commercial interests which buoyed his show?

Or was it the other way around?

Either way, we believe that Wednesday's decision by the owners of NewsTalk 93FM to pull the plug on Ragashanti Live was in the best interest of everyone, including Dr Stewart who had sent in his resignation hours earlier.

We suspect that we have not heard the last of Dr Stewart, who we know is capable of better.

However, we sincerely hope that by the time his next performance comes around, he will — in his own words — have sorted himself out.

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COMMENTS (27)

lisa williams
9/3/2010

Dr. Stewart understand the importance of dancehall and giving the marginalized people a voice, as the words of Olive Senior, "Borrowed images willed our skins pale muffled our laughter lowered our voices", believing it was wrong to laugh out loud to speak patios, to basically express the African aspect of our culture. Your article only serves to reinstate the fact that colonialism is still very much evident in our society. The minority upper class' beliefs still dominates that of the majority.

Sean Todd
9/3/2010

How long has Ragga been spewing his filth vs. Jamaica’s’ decline? You danced rubadub but became appalled when it evolved into Daggering. YOU are the genesis of our decline. I learned valuable lessons from this show that will last a life time, like the women you accuse of being “eternally blighted” or confused about their most valuable asset. They are mostly educated and recognize the power and control of sex in a repressed culture. So now I better know the rules of engagement and act accordingly

Sean Todd
9/3/2010

How retarded has the thinking of our Pseudo-Intellects become. The writer admits to the show’s “significant aspect of our culture”, but like most with a voice, fail to provide a viable solution to that “albeit unenviable” part of US! And to blame this behavior as the root cause of our increasing crime rate!!! Not, GOVT. CORRUPTION, LACK OF OPPURTUNITY (after college), INJUSTICE, etc...Etc...No, murders, rapes, carnal abuse and teenage pregnancies have their genesis in “MIX UP”? You flippin IDIOT

Wilfred Gray
9/3/2010

The folks say,ragga ease minds,from the hardcore political things, to more real-life scenarios,make people laugh and smiles,controversial too,like `howard sterns in usa..
RAGGAMUFFUNS TO DA FLIIPPIN WORLD.

lisa williams
9/3/2010

I must say i completely disagree with you, this "significant, albeit unenviable, aspect of our culture" that Dr. Stewart talk show represented is not the root to our problems, however i think it provided an airway for the oppressed and marginalized to voice there beliefs, thoughts and problems. Its full time we stop viewing other cultures with ethnocentrism, their way of expressing themselves, or what they view as important or uplifting might not be your view but that doesn’t make it wrong.

Juliet Edwards
9/3/2010

Raga show is a comedy show. You have taken the meaning of his show to another planet, talking about murders, rapes, carnal abuse etc.... these things were around long before Dr. Stewart. was even born. If you know what is wrong with Jamaica; why don't you do something to fix the problem - stop laying the blame on Raga's show. You have outline his accomplishments, which are very good, but what have you accomplice other than writing to the editor about things you have no knowledge of? Get a life

Cee Dubya
9/3/2010

You had me at renewal.
.
This says it, really: “He therefore could have used that knowledge on the platform which he was so privileged to have occupied to lift the mass of dullards who patronised his offerings from the social abyss which inspired them to glorify the unseemly.”
.
It echoes the most telling comment (imho) on the related story in yesterday’s edition: “The problem with raga is not that he talks things as they are, it is that he does not encourage ghetto people to do better!"

Michelle Holness
9/3/2010

Dear Mr. Editor,
To each his own. I like coffee, you may like tea.
Like everything else in this world , there will be things that we like and dislike, but who are we to have the final say or pass judgement on others? Dr. Stewart has done what no other talkshow host has done and that is to give a voice to the inner city. We need to embrace our people with creative talents and be more tolerant of out of the box thinkers. If that is glorifying and wallowing, then so be it.

devon brown
9/3/2010

Ragshanti pardon lewdness and you pardon deceitfulness cause you saying we must move on and forget how Bruce behaved, but its for the good of all that Ragshanti go. Ragashanti a de least of our problem I would quicker overlook what him gwaan wid because we have a choice to listen or not. However me haffe contend with a leader who tek me fe fool and right now me no have no choice. Mr Editor Ragshanti a no my problem, people have dem entertainment liking like you have yuh political liking!!

Kedesha Malcolm
9/3/2010

U obviously haven't listened and COMPREHENDED Ragashanti fully if u think that he believes that women's most valuable asset lies between our legs. Or u r simply deaf to his statement "mek sure u have sure u have something to fall back on."
To all occupying an elite professional title and displaying arrogance, ignorance and ethnocentric attitudes, u bring shame to ur profession and character. I'd rather be surrounded by people with great virtues and minimal "formal" education any day.

Charmine Fletcher
9/3/2010

Uummmmhhhh. I would not crucify the messenger. If we hate what's going on in our society, we the "know betters" have to initiate the programmes tthat will change it. Kingsley did not deem himself capable of changing the world, but I hope he has ignited the minds that will change it. He is so right in his observations of our premier university and this article represents the politics that has brainwashed us into believing we are OK as a people - we are not, and the programme proved it..

Froggy D
9/3/2010

The few times I listened to Ragashanti I found nothing wrong with his show, but I found the contents unsuitable for that time of day. Children are still up, and they listen, and it here that I voice my concern. We have a media that is dysfunctional at best; when celebrities go on and on abou their lives and its sorid detail we listen with glee, but find it disgustig when everyday people air their laundry in public. It is double standard. Ragashanti provided an out let, give the credit for that.

Ainsworth Cole
9/3/2010

I must confess that I mostly read Raga's stories and commentaries rather than listening to the live radio shows. I sometimes catches part of the show when I'm in Jamaica. As one who does'nt really follow this type of social commentary and expose, I 'm not sure what part it plays in the nations entertainment because surely that what it was. I came to the conclusion that half these stories or happenings can't be true but was made up by the persons calling in, Ragga mixin n blendin like a raido DJ

A Sil
9/3/2010

Should never have been allowed to take root just like the obscene behaviour of the bus crews. How can the govt. know that children and non-consenting adults are being exposed to this sort of thing (even indirectly) and not do anything about it? The garbage in and from the dancehall is another question. Wake up!!

Tyler Thomas
9/3/2010

I totally agree, the out pouring of love for Dr. Stewart since his departure from radio on the internet has brought home to me just how popular he was among the masses. If he wanted to he could have lead these masses to a cultural revolution where Jamaicans throw off the negative aspects of society which have not benefited us, and help them to uplift themselves, instead he leads them into deeper ignorance with his glorification of slackness and vulgarity. I pity Jamaica.

David Armstrong
9/3/2010

I have not listened to the Ragashanti radio show. It seems from what I have been reading that his show was more of a vulgar and uncivil nature. How we communicate is a function of culture. If the culture tolerates uncivil and vulgar behavior then our communication conveys this. Dancehall DJs cater to this culture of violence which is prevalent in our society. Jamaica needs move away from this culture of indiscipline that manifests itself in people’s behavior, communication, and entertainment.

Brooklyn Jamaican
9/3/2010

Mr Editor, Ragashanto is an entertainer. I do not agree with his brand but it is his right. There have been Prime Ministers who sleep with other peoples wives, Prime Minister wives who have affairs with General Secretaries of Parties. Government ministers who have outside children who they do not "mind". pastors who prey on men and women alike . All of this you know but never pontificate about. Why? So leave Raga you have a penchant for picking on the powerless.

Omar Kenyata
9/3/2010

I am a little perplexed that you think he is capable of better. On what basis? The fact that he has a PhD ? Alas higher education DOES NOT equal better values.

Omar Kenyata
9/3/2010

The fact that advertisers supported his radio program indicate what´s wrong with our culture. All they want is to sell their products . Who cares what the program promotes and glorifies? Then we want to have a better society with strong families, order, discipline and increased productivity. A who we a fool ?

Alfred Poyser
9/3/2010

Dr Stewart has provided an avenue for the majority of Jamaicans, who fall within the middle to lower social and economic classes. traditional radio stations either look down on these people or simply shut them all together. The program Ragashanti Live gave them a voice in society and allowed upper class society to hear their views on life in Jamaica, a lifestyle they would rather pretend did not exist. that is exactly how a vast majority of Jamaicans live and express themselves. thats jcan life

Wharf Dawg
9/3/2010

Yes, sadly, there is in our society, a rather unfortunate streak that has manifested itself in a dangerous potpourri of antisocial behaviour.
Said behaviour is at the root of the increasing crime rate that has all but overwhelmed us in recent years.....
Mr Editor I endorsed that line of reasoning 100%. Many of his listeners say it is harmless. It maybe so for those who are trained to think rationally. But what those who are not? What of those who see violence as the only way out?

christopher Isaacs
9/3/2010

I have been reminded on numerous occasions that it was futile not to respond in affirmation with either daily publication of the newspapers, however I am hopefully persistent. I myself, whilst not an avid listener of Raga- live still does not support ur views Observer. Every piece of audio device I know has a switch and thus the airway is not made captive of. Why does anyone believe that they have a right to impose their ideals on anyone? How does "CHAT" differ from R..ty Live?. Pot a cuss ktel?

T T
9/3/2010

with ragga off the air the belief has now been strenghtened that there is no place in society for those who are not " elite"(for want of a better word)... and therefore the segregation continues... Ragashanti also represented that aspect of the ghetto that rose above the challenges and achieved...individual were able to identify and look up to him.... Please Please stop with the hypocrital bulll....its becomming annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zara thustra
9/3/2010

Yes, in the best interest of everyone: they got rid of him, he got to play the victim card and "hussle" it all the way to the bank. Its all about $$$. If mindless "shock-jock" radio sells, he'll keep on doing it. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

9/3/2010

I have listened to the program, and yes some was innapropriate, but I don't think Raga is to be blamed. When you say that these women visions were eternally blighted by the idea that their most valuable asset is between the leg, I am sorry that has been our culture from day one. I should be blaming my mother right now for teaching and intensely instilling that I must learn to wash, cook and clean because I won't get a husband and not drilling into me the importance of Education instead. I have learnt a lot from this program, maybe too much and I am not a religious listener, I know people will attack on this with ignorance today. But Ragashanti is not the one to be blamed here, the University could have unpluged him long ago, but they didn't, why? Society in itself created this overtime and now that it has been highlighted by this hated king of mix up. Can we all just move on? I really don't see him insighting violence and honestly thought that part of the article could have been omitted. Not here to bash anyone but it was good while it lasted, because things are happening here and in the way it was packaged might not be the most favourable, but I can say I have learnt. Don't blame Ragashanti for the reason poor people are poor and they backward thinking, my mother doesn't listen and she is culturally insink with most of how these woman think, now if there wasn't a program like this, I would be writing and telling u in expletives to leave this man alone! We all blame him ignoring that has a radiostation drops him another is willing to rake in that juicy 70mil. We can't kill the tree without destroying the root my dear and the root is never ending because the tree is chopped a new root starts nursing. Don't blame the man. Blame ourselves.

al dene
9/3/2010

i believe that his show is terrible and as someone who has fight the odds to make something of himself should do better and not use his knowledge of human behavior to further contribute to the moral and social decay of Jamaica.

Jason G
9/3/2010

Raga and him fans dem luv talk bout a ghetto dem a promote like sensible people nuh live a ghetto. People all call and seh dem spit inna people food. Come on man. Capitalism is addictive but this is too much. On a comical note though the police could do well wid some gunman mixup

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No room for complacency on Riverton — JET

A chance for renewal, Dr Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart