Dear Editor,

I write in response to Ms Karen Clarke’s letter in the May 13 Observer, “Don’t lump all dancehall artistes together, Clovis”.

I feel compelled to respond in an attempt to interpret Clovis’ cartoon. Clovis has used this graphic illustration to demonstrate the stark reality of what normalisation does to a society. That is, persons in the wider society who are fans of “hardcore” dancehall music after prolonged exposure to its violence and sexually immoral messages become influenced, and in so doing consciously or subconsciously carry out acts which are glorified in these lyrics.

It is perhaps a misinterpretation on Ms Clarke’s part to say that Clovis is portraying Oneil Edwards and by extension Voicemail as artistes who sing negative songs. What the cartoonist is saying is simply that “we reap what we sow”. “We” in this instance being other artistes and persons in society who promote and procure songs glorifying violence.

Most criminals or violence-prone individuals who are influenced by gun lyrics are not usually known for taking the time out to identify and evaluate the character of their victims or their victims’ contribution to the betterment of society.

Like Ms Clarke, I too believe firmly that faith can move mountains. I too am praying for the speedy recovery of Oneil and Cobra. I am also praying that the many artistes from different aspects of the entertainment industry (singers, composers, producers, deejays, emcees, etc) who gathered at the respective hospitals in a show of solidarity praying for their colleagues’ recovery realise that the songs they write, produce and sing are not the cause of the violence in Jamaica’s society. However, churning out songs which glorify the violence has ultimately come back to haunt us, or in this case “shoot” us.

One has to appreciate that as it is in the natural, so it is in the supernatural. When we send up praises to God, the blessings come down from God. When we celebrate violence in the form of negative songs, the “curses” of the negative things also come down to oppress us even though we might not deserve the oppression. Be aware too that clean lyrics sell – just ask Voicemail and Assassin.

May the God of Grace extend mercy to the injured artistes, grant them a speedy recovery and open the eyes and the understanding of other artistes to sing, write and produce more clean songs that uplift the mentality and soothe the spirits of our people.

Claudia Campbell

Kingston