Jamaica was once the protector of the Cayman Islands which if we are to use a familiar metaphor would suggest this collection of islands is our child or ward. Britain, our former colonial master, if we are to use a similar analogy, would have been our parent or guardian. Sadly, Jamaicans can enter neither country without a visa. It is akin to the unenviable position of not being able to visit our children or parents without having to demonstrate exceptional reasons.

This is a tragic image of how far we have sunk and if current trends persist other relatives will soon be closing their doors on us. Yet this is not time for despair. We must heed the advice of current White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, that we should never waste a good crisis.

The influence of our musical output is once again being placed under the microscope. This has been prompted by the shootings of two prominent Jamaican artistes within 48 hours. We wish both Cobra and Oneil a speedy recovery and condemn these wanton acts of criminality. Sadly, if the pronouncements flowing from various quarters on this issue are indicative of the kinds of solutions which we should expect I have very little reason to be optimistic. Much of what has passed as discourse in the wake of these unfortunate incidents has been platitudinous, self-serving and hypocritical. What is frightening to me is that victims of crimes are now being blamed for criminal acts committed against them. The feminists would rightly point out that a scantily clad woman does not provide a lecher with justification to violate her. There seems however to be the suggestion in some quarters that doing harm to entertainers is a form of poetic justice since our artistes are purveyors of violent lyrical content. Retribution, revenge and superstition loom large in our fundamentalist psyche. I would sincerely condemn the shooting of any politician even though some of them have been alleged to distribute guns. Yet nuanced positions are never welcomed in our jungle.

Calls are being made, even from within the entertainment sector, for strong actions even if most of us do not know what form this should take or who should assume responsibility for such measures. I would only advise that the Taliban and the Nazis were able to be assume power through the desperate desires of those in the society for strong actions to address the problems facing Afghan and German societies. Those who do not learn the lessons from history are bound to repeat them, a wise man once noted.

As one close to the music industry I am able to discern the various agendas that are at play in the current campaign to address the matter of problematic musical content. It is a coalition of a diverse range of interests, some genuine and sincere. Some artistes are crying foul because they believe they are entitled to more airplay. Yet there are artistes who should understand that simply appending the label “roots and culture” to themselves does not confer on them the right of unlimited access to airplay. These artistes must understand the imperatives of marketing and musicality. If the truth be told the purveyors of problematic content are more adept marketers than their roots and culture colleagues. How many of our roots and culture acts will visit dances in order to promote their products? Much of what passes as conscious music is trite, boring and lacking in musical value.

True we have Etana, Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica who are able to make serious issues interesting and entertaining, however many of those crying for more access to the airwaves should never be allowed any kind of exposure beyond their bathrooms which hopefully are soundproof. One should listen to Tarrus Riley’s Myself As A Gun to get a better understanding of how an artiste can be thoughtful and entertaining.

Artistes must understand that they do not operate in a vacuum. It is ridiculous to say that art or music does not have any social impact. The challenge is how do we go about constraining the perceived negative influences flowing from our entertainment products without infringing on the right to free expression.

One way to limit the spread of problematic material is to restrict the spaces in which they can be can be performed. I am a strong advocate of having our buses being declared silence zones and also strongly support the rigourous enforcement of an amended Noise Abatement Act. We should rate events restricting the access of minors to performances and shows for adults who should be free to enjoy themselves as they choose, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. A music industry association should charge itself, in conjunction with the Broadcasting Commission, to issue ratings on what material is worthy of airplay.

Interestingly, one of the arguments always proffered by our artistes in justification of their performance of lewd and violent material is that there is a demand for it. Now faced with bans and revocation of visas, those who lead can now point out to artistes that market forces are now working against them. The fact is that it makes no financial sense if Barbadians want Kartel but he cannot secure a visa to visit their country. We can use this as an example to emerging artistes as to what can be the possible consequences when one is deemed to be disruptive and antisocial.

clyde.mckenzie@gmail.com