Dear Editor,

Young Dwayne Vaz has been caught in a hail of public backlash which continues to saturate the news and other various media platforms. This comes after he publicly requested and tacitly sanctioned the controversial Vybz Kartel song

Weh dem feel like while speaking at a political rally.

I am not writing in defence of this young man’s utterances, but I certainly wish to highlight the greater issue that is at hand.

While we continue to scold Vaz and seemingly disregard the fact that this type of music is what excites the young people, as it relates to art form, the problem remains and is growing. Unfortunately, this is the type of music to which they seemingly gravitate. Afinity towards sophisticated music has long died.

I don’t want to be misunderstood, as I am not discrediting dancehall music, but despite the positive effects that the music might have on the young generation, it has become more a pathway for moral degradation and violence.

If these artistes glorify violence with their lyrics, wouldn’t it be inevitable that these youths will follow? Popular artiste Mavado’s usage of the slang “gangsta for life” resonated with many of our young ones. Just look how many of our dancehall artistes have been arrested for various criminal offences.

Despite this, it remains the popular music, even among many adults, so why are we complaining? I believe that it is pure unadulterated hypocrisy to continue to take jabs at this young man as if his obvious unfortunate mistake was the inception of all bad influences. Where are these folks when the music of female degradation and gunmanship glorification are all over the airwaves and climbing the charts?

The influence on our young people is obvious and not good, so let’s not shoot down one person, but let us challenge the system. We must take on the system and root out this garbage which is brainwashing our young generation into thinking a certain way.

He has withdrawn the statements and apologised to his peers, party, and Jamaica at large. I accept his apology, hopefully it is never replayed.

Thalia McDonald

thalia.mcdonald@yahoo.com