Dear Editor,

The backlash towards Lisa Hanna from the supporters of Vybz Kartel speaks volumes to the ignorance and illiteracy of many Jamaicans.

To see the many threats levelled at her because of her opinion is an indication that our society is lost. To see people defend a convicted criminal with very little to offer to society but lyrics filled with garbage is frightening, especially when many of these people are parents raising children.

Sadly, what was evident in many of the comments was the fact that many of those supporters of Vybz Kartel could not even put a decent sentence together, but had the audacity to be offering death threats in defence of their god.

But sadly, this is what happens when society has lost its moral compass, as here you have voices in defence of trash, yet many of those same voices are silent as it relates to the well-being of our women and children.

The hold that Kartel and this “Gaza” phenomenon has on many Jamaicans is very troubling, and the fact that society has, over the years, endorsed this madness speaks loudly that as a society and a people we are lost.

When a convicted murderer has this much power even behind bars, clearly something is very wrong.

Sadly, it seems as if it is much too late to close this Pandora’s box that has been opened in the name of music and culture.

The many young people who emulate Kartel and others like him speak loudly to where the country is heading if we do not wake up.

His music and the music of others like him should have been banned from the airwaves from the get-go; now it seems it is much too late.

To see a man whose lyrics preach mayhem win five awards at the national Youth View Awards is troubling; but then it is also an indication of the type of people and things we worship as a society.

May God have mercy.

Michelle Bradshaw

phillipsmichelle57@yahoo.com