THE issue of moving Reggae Month to July has now been taken up publicly by persons including Roy Black and Carolyn Cooper.

This issue was examined during a Reggae Month review on March 12, 2009. The meeting was attended by Donovan Germaine, Janice Allen, Jackie Lynch-Stewart, Wayne Wright, Steve Golding, Howard McIntosh, Lenford Salmon, Jade Lee, Dean Mundy, Jerome Hamilton, Tanya Batson-Savage and myself.

I reprint relevant excerpts of the minutes below.

The chair recommended that a survey be conducted to assess the impact of Reggae Month.

Additionally, the proposed general survey would address the question of whether the celebration of Reggae Month should be changed from February and moved to the summer, particularly July. This discussion dominated the majority of the meeting as the group expressed arguments for both sides. The overwhelming majority argued that February should remain Reggae Month.

The arguments are outlined as follows:

Reggae Month should

be moved from February:

* Reggae Sumfest already exists in July and it could provide a centre piece for the month as a major Reggae festival;

* Tourism is low in July and, therefore, placing Reggae Month in July would help to boost tourism in that month;

* February is already celebrated as Black History Month and Reggae Month can be perceived as an attempt to replace this;

Reggae Month should

remain in February:

* Most artistes tour during the summer and, therefore, there participation would be very limited;

* As schools would be out of session, it would be much harder to engage the youth as has been effected in February;

* There is no real conflict between Reggae Month and Black History Month as Reggae has significantly impacted on the development of Black History and a celebration of Reggae is also easily a celebration of Black History;

* While the concern for the impact on tourism was noted it was pointed out that;

* Jamaica’s tourism is not yet at a point of saturation so Reggae Month’s affecting an increase in tourists in that month would be a positive;

* Reggae appeals to another kind of tourist and can drive tourism in Kingston (which is the home of Reggae), especially for persons who are more interested in engaging with the street dancing culture rather than sun and beach;

* Reggae Month is too important for its fate to be solely decided by its impact on tourism. It was argued that the month would be stronger and more powerful if it is designed first to suit Jamaicans, with tourism being secondary, which would eventually also strengthen its appeal to tourists;

* The month was officially declared by the Governor General and the importance of this should be neither ignored nor under valued;

* Industry professionals argued it was easier for them to turn their attention to Reggae Month in February as opposed to in the summer.

It was generally agreed, however, that it is important to move beyond this and make Reggae Month fully actualise its social and economic potential.

Email:che.campbell@gmail.com