Is dancehall reggae and criminality inextricalbly linked?

As Dancehall music continues to strive for international recognition among the mainstream genres of music, it apparently remains blemished by crime, homophobia, and violence. While there have been several dancehall pioneers who have worked and continue to work tirelessly to highlight the versatility and creativity of the genre, and to launch themselves and the dancehall flavor into international markets, dancehall reggae still fails to garner the international appeal its producers, artistes and marketers envisage. 

Sometimes one wonders if dancehall music and criminality are inextricably linked. Recently, too many dancehall artistes have been brought before the courts for varying degrees of criminality. This state of affairs does not reflect favorably on a genre struggling to take its place on the international music scene. Dancehall artistes must know that they play an important role in Caribbean society, especially when one looks at the impact of dancehall reggae on the socialization of modern Caribbean youth.

Caribbean youth are tuned in to dancehall. This is a fact that cannot be denied. Therefore, it is my belief that our Caribbean dancehall artiste need to be more responsible in their words, thoughts and actions.

Bounty Killer was recently brought before the Jamaican courts on domestic violence charges. Movado was also recently charged with aggravated assault. Elephant Man was booked together with Bounty Killer and others on tax evasion charges. Ninja Man remains in jail on a murder charge. Vybz Kartel, the self-proclaimed “World Boss”, is also before the Jamaican courts on drug charges and his alleged role in two murders. Buju Banton is incarcerated in the US on drug charges. And a very beloved Busy Signal is about to be extradited from Jamaica to the US on drug charges.

Who precisely is a dancehall reggae role model? Can dancehall music even produce positive role models? Are Sean Paul, Shaggy, Cécile, or even Beenie Man role model material?

Rap/Hip-Hop also has its fair share of criminal personalities at the forefront of its success. However, it seems as if the world is far more interested in the Rap/Hip-Hop genres and exercises more tolerance for the notorious crime figures it exemplifies. A large number of rappers and hip hop artiste have gone to prison and continue to go to prison for a variety of criminal activity.

The litany of rap/hip-hop artistes who have been inmates at some point in time in their careers are too numerous to mention. Names like T.I., Lil Wayne, Tony Yayo, Mystical, and DMX immediately come to mind. Yet somehow rap and hip-hop manage to be widely accepted internationally, far more than dancehall reggae could dare dream of accomplishing. Arguably, rap, hip/hop and dancehall reggae are all black music albeit different genres.

Perhaps the dancehall industry might want to strategically focus on the image of their artistes who like it or not, are the brand ambassadors of the industry. While many might argue that a tough image is needed to lend ‘street’ credibility to the genre, this has little effect on the international audience. Dancehall must rise from its humble beginnings and establish itself as an internationally commercially viable product.

Dancehall lyrics must evolve from its primitive, internationally unmarketable form, where violence, explicitly gross sexual content and stunning homophobia forms the basis of its structure.

On the issue of homophobic lyrics, Beenie Man has come out recently with an apology for using this harmful lyrical formula in his music and urges its eradication from the genre. However, this brave move by the self-proclaimed ‘King of Dancehall’ has been met with conspicuously mixed reactions from friends, fans and foes.

The rise to prominensce of Banga Mary

In the not too distant past when I was a child growing up in Kitty the previous administration had an entity called Guyana Fisheries Ltd. This government owned company specialised in the distribution of fish nationwide at very affordable prices. One specific set of fish that was specifically earmarked for those in the lower income bracket was “Mixed Fish”.

Mixed Fish was what its self-explanatory title suggests: a mixture of several types of fish. However, the predominant species of fish in this bundle is what Guyanese call “Banga Mary”. In a pound of Mixed Fish you could get two “Banga Mary” and a Butter Fish. You fared better buying more than a pound if you wanted a wider variety of fish.  In my time – which might provide an idea of my age – Mixed Fish was sold at GUY$6 per pound.

As a little boy, I would scurry round to Kitty Market obliquely opposite which the Guyana Fisheries Complex was located on Shell Road, for my weekly purchase of Mixed Fish. Given GUY$20 by my granny to buy three pounds of Mixed Fish, I would use the two dollars change to gratify myself with some phoulourie sold by a little Indian lady at the corner of Shell Road and Alexander Street, Kitty.

This activity continued weekly until the entity was closed in the early 90s. By then however, I had acquired a liking for “Banga Mary”. Especially when fried dry, this fish could be consumed either by itself or with a combination of other dishes. In “Rum Shops” “Banga Mary” was sometimes used as cutters and carried a modest price. After all, “Banga Mary” reflected a price befitting its modest status.

In 2012 however, “Banga Mary” is no longer that lowly fish with that modest price enjoyed exclusively by the low income Guyanese. “Banga Mary” has been rebranded as the desirable fish of choice to be consumed and enjoyed by the larger cross section of the Guyanese society including the middle and upper classes. This situation is believed to have resulted from the proliferation of “Fish Shops” that have sprung up around the country.

“Banga Mary” was always being fried on a commercial basis but not in a mainstream manner as it is today. Today a serving of Fish and Chips which often is a Styrofoam lunch box of fried “Banga” and Plantain chips costs GUY$900. It seems as if there is now a premium price on “Banga Mary”.

I remember when “Banga Mary” made its reappearance about 12 years ago, a box of Fish and Chips cost about GUY$ 300. Can you imagine USD$5 is what it costs for box of fried “Banga Mary” and Fried Plantains?

“Banga Mary” must be proud of herself. She has risen from depths of her lowly existence to take her rightful place alongside her other seafood counterparts. I do not see “Banga Mary” ever getting cheaper as local fast food entities continue to exploit the uniqueness of her flavor and texture.

Long live Banga Mary!

Remembering Whitney Houston

During the evening of Saturday February 12, 2012 the disturbing news of the death of Whitney Houston sent shockwaves around the world. Instantly persons took to social media networks to express their surprise, shock and heartfelt condolences. The world has lost an iconic female vocalist in the passing of Whitney Houston.

A girl born into a family of extraordinarily talented and successful musicians with mother Cissy Houston being a renowned gospel singer, soul sensations for cousins in Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and a Godmother in Aretha Franklyn, it is no small wonder that Whitney Houston grew to become the most prominent and powerful female voice of her era. Beginning her singing career in church, her unmistakably unique and powerful voice eventually found the ear of one of the music industry’s keenest ear for talent, Mr. Clive Davis who wasted no time in signing her to his Arista Records.

Whitney Houston is regarded as one of the all-time bestselling female artistes in the music industry to date, selling over 170 million copies of albums, singles and videos during her time at Arista Records. She was also cited by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 as the most awarded female act of all time. Some her awards include: two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 other career awards as of 2010.

Some of her record sales achievements are as follows: Being the only artiste to chart seven consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits ("Saving All My Love For You," "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love Of All," "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "So Emotional," and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"); the first female artiste to enter the Billboard 200 album chart at #1 (her second album, Whitney, 1987); and the only artiste with seven consecutive multi-platinum albums (Whitney Houston, Whitney, I'm Your Baby Tonight, The Bodyguard, Waiting To Exhale, and The Preacher's Wife soundtracks, and My Love Is Your Love).

The Bodyguard soundtrack is still regarded as one of the top 10 biggest-selling albums of all-time (at 17x-platinum in the U.S. alone), and her career-defining version of the Dolly Parton written "I Will Always Love You" remains the biggest-selling U.S. single of all-time (at 4x-platinum).

Sadly with all her success Whitney seemed to not be able to find true happiness. Drugs and alcohol and eventually a failed marriage helped to contribute to her legendary fall from stardom. Her perfectly pitched voice no longer had its power and range. However fans still adored her and understood the human weaknesses she was experiencing. Even amidst her much publicized battle with drugs, she maintained her love for music and tried a few times and most recently, to restart her singing career. But now she’s gone, taken from this world at the relatively young age of 48.

Whitney, you have set the benchmark for contemporary soul singing with your powerful yet exquisitely melodious voice. Many singers both male and female have learnt many things from you. Your touching lyrics and distinctive melodies amply supported by a unique harmonic style will forever be cherished and remembered by millions of fans worldwide. As for me I know that I Will Always Love You.

R.I.P Whitney.

All must fight to eradicate sexual child abuse from our society.

Children are special. They are God’s gift to us. Children never ask to be born. They are conceived and are brought into the world to be loved and cared for by their parents and relatives. As children grow they learn. Children learn from every circumstance around them. Therefore, parents and other adults have a responsibility to ensure that children are protected and raised in a manner that will guarantee their unharmed physical, mental and emotional growth.

In today’s world and indeed from time immemorial, numerous factors have played varying roles in the underdevelopment of children. One such factor is the scourge of sexual child abuse.

Sexual child abuse happens in all racial, religious, ethnic and age groups, and at all socio-economic levels. Since children are abused in homes across the country, adults need to learn what makes children vulnerable, how to recognize warning signs of those who may be sexually abusing children, and what to do if sexual abuse is suspected.

Not being in possession of the actual statistics of sexual child abuse in Guyana, I am unable to comment further on its prevalence in Guyanese society. But I am sure there exists in Guyana very stark figures of this heinous crime. One is being constantly reminded in the Guyanese media about a religious leader presently before the courts on child abuse charges.

Internationally as far back as 2003, a journal article entitled, “Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population” stated  that one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused at some point in their childhood (Briere & Eliot, 2003).

Parents and adults must play a more active role in protecting children from child molesters. Early detection and intervention can reduce the potential for harm and assure children of their safety. Since children cannot protect themselves alone, adults must learn to recognise and inquire about behaviors that make children vulnerable or suggest that abuse has occurred. Adults must not wait for children to tell about abuse. This position leaves them to face the confusion and trauma of victimization on their own.

Adults must start listening to children and looking for the signs of potential pedophilic behaviour. One ought not to be paranoid about the issue, but to be extremely guarded when allowing children to interact with adults. Sadly most pedophiles are person parents and even children trust which complicates the issue of curtailing the actions of these sick adults. However, as mentioned earlier, keen attention must be paid to the early signs of abuse. Parents must learn to listen and take seriously the verbal and nonverbal cues of children suffering from the sexual advances of adults.

Together we must stop child abuse. Children deserve to live as children and not as victims of sexual crimes.  

Curtly Ambrose becomes the 16th West Indian to enter the ICC Hall of Fame

Presently I am deeply engaged in reading the revised edition of A History of West Indies Cricket, written by Michael Manley; which has a scintillating foreword by the legendary former West Indian captain Clive Lloyd. The deep revelations that this book produces, tracing the simple introduction of cricket to the Caribbean natives and the disreputable embarrassment that spurred the unrivaled determination to develop the sport in the region, is astounding as it is sobering.  

Apart from the early historical perspectives on the introduction of cricket to West Indians, a large portion of this West Indian cricketing scripture focuses on the meticulous conceptualization, nurturing and dominance of a team that ruled the cricketing world for 15 years.

The special memories of those glory days of our cricket that I was lucky to experience while growing up, rushed back to me on Tuesday last when Curtley Ambrose became the 16^th West Indian player to be inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame. It is heartening to see that the world governing body for cricket has taken time to recognize another West Indies cricketing legend.

Ambrose with his 98 test matches and 405 test wickets along with 176 ODI matches and 225 wickets was never taken lightly by any international team against which he played. Of the 3,683 test overs he bowled 1,001 were maidens. He was one of the stingiest bowlers the West Indies ever produced, who made batsmen toil for every run they scored off of his deliveries.

Speaking to the BBC after his induction, Ambrose was very candid in his remarks on the current state of West Indies cricket. He said, “I believe that the cricket board in the West Indies made some mistakes…I believe that when we were the best team in the world nothing was ever done; nothing was ever put in place to nurture the talent we have coming up.” He continued, “Cricket has changed and the rest of the world has caught up with us back then and have gone ahead of us. That’s the reason why we’re playing so poorly these days.”

What I believe Ambrose was getting at was that while the rest of the cricketing world have emulated the professionalism and dedication of the West indies team of old, the current Team and administration have somewhat embraced the vices of unprofessionalism, lack of strategic vision and a reluctance to learn and apply the technical competences that modern cricket requires.

Ambrose further posited in his conversation with the BBC that it will take years for West Indies to rise again, gain respect, and dominate world cricket. It is almost two decades since the West Indies have been reinventing themselves as ‘calypso cricketers’. Is it true that it will still take more years for a formidable West Indies team to develop? I believe I speak for many cricketing fans when I say that the West Indies administration has had more than enough time to field a very competitive team.

I believe that some modification must be urgently made to the diet of first class cricket in the Caribbean. Perhaps the level of first class cricket must be elevated to a comparable competitive international standard that can most likely cultivate the mental fortitude, discipline and technical application that is so badly lacking in the current and emerging West Indies cricketers.  

I salute and congratulate Mr. Curtly Ambrose on his hall of fame induction. I sincerely hope that this accomplishment inspires young West Indians cricketers to strive for excellence and dedicate their energies towards the resurgence of our cricket to its former glory.

CCTV cameras can help in the fight against crime in Guyana

Recently in the media I recognised that public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance has become part of new national security and crime fighting initiatives currently being undertaken by the Guyana government. I must commend those in the government responsible for taking this bold step at revolutionizing the way in which Guyanese law enforcement will be effected.

For those not familiar with how this kind of technology functions, CCTV video surveillance systems can either passively record and play back silent video at certain intervals, be actively monitored by security personnel, or use a combination of these methods. In the US and many other countries around the world, Law enforcement personnel actively monitor most municipally-operated systems, although in some cases volunteers and private security are also involved in some projects.

There are even school-based CCTV surveillance systems in some countries that also employ active, passive, and combined monitoring methods, depending on the financial resources and number and type of personnel available.

Many European countries now employ public video surveillance as a primary tool to monitor population movements and to prevent terrorism. The United Kingdom (UK) in particular relies extensively on video surveillance as a tool to fight crime and prevent terrorism. According to some researchers, the camera surveillance systems in the UK are discouraging and thus preventing crime. After the recent riots in London, many persons were arrested based on video footage sourced from CCTV cameras strategically placed around London.

A key player in the CCTV camera arena is facial recognition software. This expedites the identification process of persons captured on CCTV footage. Based on the establishment of a country’s information data base, and the level of security clearance of the persons using the software, basic or very detailed information about the person identified can be sourced.

That Guyana is heading in the direction of using CCTV surveillance is a step in the right direction. In these modern times, especially with widespread terrorism and the sophistication and frequency of crime, many countries around the world embrace the use of this technology.

Upon conducting some research I found that Canada began operating CCTV video surveillance on public streets and areas in the early 90s. Although its use is not as widespread as in the United Kingdom, CCTV surveillance is utilised by Canadian banks, restaurants and convenience stores, and at industrial sites, offices, apartment buildings, and public transit stations.

The French government permits electronic and CCTV surveillance in public places, including monitoring major roads and city and urban public areas. In Ireland, CCTV video surveillance has been used by private companies since the mid-1980's to monitor post offices, shops, banks, building societies, and shopping malls.

In Spain, the threat of terrorist attacks has caused extraordinary security measures to be taken by federal authorities, especially in tourist areas. The Spanish Interior Ministry also installed video surveillance equipment in public areas in the Basque region in an effort to combat street violence and politically motivated vandalism.

Even the principality of Monaco with its 500,000 inhabitants is monitored 24 hours-a-day by CCTV camera surveillance installed on buildings, rooftops, and street poles.

Are these countries “surveillance states”?

Are Guyanese living in developed countries around the world complaining about CCTV cameras? When members of APNU travel abroad are they really concerned that ‘big brother’ is watching their every move? 

CCTV cameras serve a very valid purpose in societies that are determined to curb crime and terrorism. Guyana might not be a terrorist haven but it sure has an escalating crime rate. There must be some amount of crime that can be prevented with the use of CCTV cameras.

Studies have shown a 4% decrease in crime in neighborhoods where CCTV has been installed. CCTV is most responsible for deterring auto thefts and has some effect on violent crimes (Welch & Farrington 2002). Evidence from the UK also shows that its use may reduce theft of motor vehicles and some other forms of acquisitive crime. There is also evidence that it works best in small enclosed areas (Gill & Spriggs 2005).

Regardless of the sophisticated technology employed to fight crime, basic Law enforcement principles and procedures must prevail. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) or whichever national intelligence agency is established must be able to use the information garnered from CCTV footage responsibly. Professional Law enforcement must be administered with the protection of Guyanese citizens as its major priority.

In all things there are consequences and unintended consequences. It is a pity that the APNU apparently can only emphasise the unintended consequences that might result from the establishment of modern crime fighting infrastructures and legislations. Perhaps strategically engaging the government in a manner that ensures severe measures are in place to avoid the abuse of its new crime fighting technologies and accompanying legislations might be more constructive.

Guyana is in need of urgent deregulation in radio.

A significant characteristic of human beings is their ability to communicate effectively. In contemporary times, the advancement of technology has considerably enhanced the ways in which humans communicate. Mass media is constantly being revolutionized with the rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As these technologies continue their dizzying development, new media have been conceived and are also quickly evolving. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube MySpace and others have given people the ability to communicate in a highly specialized manner never before envisaged in mass media.     

In Guyana while there is the desire, capital and human resources for the expansion of some sections of the mass media, severe restrictions in the form of predatory legislation stifle in particular the deregulation of a key area in the broadcast sector; radio. Sadly after 19 years of democracy, Guyana is stuck with one radio station that is owned and controlled by the government.

Although some amount of deregulation has occurred in the print and television media, radio has remained firmly grasped in the clutches of government control. This has severely stunted the growth of radio in Guyana, while all other CARICOM democracies have made quantum leaps in their development and advancement of radio.

While underdevelopment in radio in Guyana might be a reality of myopic, narrow and in most cases partisan political objectives, the inflexible control on content that emanates from the government and its agencies, can most likely be seen as a violation of the peoples’ right to information.

This week it was reported in the media that Merundoi was temporarily taken off air because an episode was deemed ‘politically offensive’. After listening to the episode in question at http://www.merundoi.org.gy/merundoi/index.php (season 2 episode 29) I am still trying to figure out why such a decision was taken. There is absolutely nothing in the episode that appears to exploit traditional voting patterns. This programme follows the radio serial format of continuous dramatic fiction and is presented weekly. This would mean that with every episode the plot thickens and new revelations arise.

While Unique was asking Natasha an honest question on how she should vote, Natasha explains that in her home voting has a traditional pattern that she intends to follow. That is the basis of the voter education section of that troubled episode. The next episode might delve further into the issue on how some young people make their decision on voting. I am very sure listeners would want to hear how Unique decides on how she will choose the party for which she will vote. From all indications it seems as if Unique is determined to break the voting tradition in her home.

Where is the harm in this radio fiction? Are some persons scared at the way in which Unique might arrive at her decision? Merundoi is a very powerful series that has gathered a significant following in Guyana. I am very confident that the demography of its listening audience will reflect a generous mix of age, race, gender, location and political affiliation.

I can find absolutely nothing wrong with the content of the episode in question. The preceding episode dealt with Unique asking her grandmother some honest questions about voting. She also expressed her confusion in deciding how she should vote which escalated into a very heated discussion mainly because her granny laid down the traditional voting pattern of the family. That is a Guyanese reality!

The troubled episode in question saw Unique reaching out to her friend - something that most young people do - asking the same questions and getting the same response that she got from her granny. Again I ask where the harm in the script located. Many Guyanese are eagerly awaiting the development of the story to see how Unique arrives at her decision on how to vote.

I noticed that the management of NCN and Merondoi have come to some agreement and the programme will resume broadcast next week. Let us hope that the script writing is not altered to reflect Guyanese fantasy as against the realities that exist with regard to voter ignorance. After all this is an educational programme not a fairy tale.

Let Merundoi air and let honest voter education prevail.

Guyana is in need of urgent deregulation in radio. With the deregulation of radio in Guyana the establishment of sensible codes of practice which should guarantee the increase of quality broadcast standards should become reality. This should hopefully eradicate the triviality that currently passes for content regulation in radio.

 Medel & Salomon (2011) have persuasively stated that: “The freedom of expression is a pivotal component of our individual development – as human beings and as “political animals” – and to improve and radicalize democracies.”

If Guyana is indeed a democracy as our leaders would have us believe, then radio should be allowed to function democratically. Content regulations and censorship on radio must be done against established codes of practice and not by misguided fears and political coercion.