And while they also suggested “It is neither right nor fitting for the government to enable and facilitate the public promotion of lewd and degrading lyrics linked to violence that characterizes this performer’s regrettable repertoire”, isn’t Mavado entitled to pronounce on issues, lyrically, or from his point of view, as well as those of his thousands of fans in and out of Guyana? And those that identify with his lyrics aren’t they similarly entitled to having unrestricted access to his music? Are we to allow the reservations of a few to determine whether or not entertainment is restricted from so many? It is in a similar manner that Simpson and clique have been urging the abandonment of some of our laws in an effort to accommodate the unacceptable lifestyle of their ‘few’. How selfish!

Perhaps this cabal may want to point us to instances where persons became ‘violent’ after listening to Mavado songs to the detriment of our society. On the other hand, over-consumption of alcohol has led to numerous deaths via vehicular accidents yet persons are urged to drink rum till they die or even bring it in a bottle or a cup. A check of the Occurrence Book at Brickdam Police Station will also reveal how society has benefited from the contributions of those that congregate in the vicinity of the St George’s Cathedral in the nights.

Both the U.S and Europe have powerful Gay rights groups (not five or four member organizations) who have been successful in their lobbying for the cancellation of numerous shows by artistes that portray violence and homophobic lyrics through their music. As recent as September 4th they were successful in having a few dates out of Buju Banton’s Rasta Got Soul US Tour cancelled yet no such action has been taken against Mavado of recent as he has toured nearly all of the U.S, U.K Canada, Europe, Japan and many Islands in the Caribbean. According to Buju’s management team they were concerned with setting the record straight on the inaccurate portrait of Buju being painted by certain organizations.

They stated that the artiste “was 15-years-old when he wrote Boom Bye Bye in response to a widely publicized man/boy rape case in Jamaica. It was not a call to violence. The song was re-released on a popular dancehall rhythm in 1992 and caused a huge uproar after receiving commercial radio play in the States. Following much public debate back then, prominent gay rights leaders and Buju decidedly moved on. For the record, it is the only song he ever made on the subject, and he does not perform it today.”

A similar type of misinformation campaign has been launched here.

So these folks need to chill-out! Guyana is a democratic country. And democracy is about the participation of the people not the imposition of its will on the majority by the minority. And the people will decide via their attendance or non-attendance come September 19th 2009.
JAEL WELCH