IN a just democratic society the promoters of the Ignition concert would be equally responsible as CNS Channel 6 for threatening the individual’s right to life. As Guyana struggles to control and prevent violence and violent crimes, this is hardly the kind of entertainment we need. Propagation of violence of all forms is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

The authorities should hold the promoters and their sponsors accountable for the fiasco that took place in the National Park on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at the concert which featured Jamaican Artiste Bounty Killa. The issuing of permits for this kind of entertainment needs to come under greater scrutiny from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Guyana Police Force and the National Parks Commission for wholesome content. We have a crisis with youth and violence and we need to raise our consciousness about the contributing factors. Further, it is imperative for promoters to negotiate and ink contracts with clauses that deter violence propagation. It is noteworthy that Bounty Killa performed with Beenie Man at the Ultimate Storm in Barbados in 2007 without reference to violence against homosexuals. Why did this not happen in Guyana? Are some sections of the Guyanese society complicit with gun violence when it suits their purposes? Whatever the answer is, the one fact bears true is that some Guyanese care less about social stability and cultural uplift than we do about making money.

While other Caribbean countries are being proactive against gun culture and misogyny in music, Guyana is lagging behind. We are now promoting what others are desperately uprooting. Every day the media are showcasing a full diet of what feeding on violent music is contributing to our society; the music in the mini-buses, bars, clubs and other social settings is increasing the tolerance level for violence in the society. These lyrics are working on the psyche of persons subliminally and predisposing them to commit acts of violence through the misuse of firearms. Significant research in the region is pointing to the fact that youth obsession with firearms is driven by the need for power in situations where they feel otherwise powerless. The wearing of the phallic symbol –a loaded gun– defines their masculinity. Hence we can understand why there is confusion about friendly associations between a gunman and a homosexual.

The other reason the Wildfire Promotions and their sponsors should be penalized —by a fine and a ban– is the lack of effective security to prohibit firearms. How did so many firearms escape the security personnel who were conducting bodily searches? Obviously, there was the likelihood that a few persons may have slipped in without search as friends of the promoters or bodyguards of famous fans. However, from the reports it appears that shots were fired from more than a few guns. Were these shots from friends of the promoters or their bodyguards? Whatever the case Wildfire Promotions should take full responsibility for the violence and mayhem that occurred at this concert for which they were forewarned. They failed those young people who attended that concert in their duty to promote clean, healthy and wholesome entertainment for a society that is ripping at the seams and clutching unto a mere semblance of orderliness.

Promoters of public entertainment need to take the time to understand the meanings of the music of controversial artistes before bringing them to Guyana. We need music that inspires good values, and uplifts the human spirit. Let us not allow the same thing from Movado come May 4.

Lastly, let me commend the Guyana Police Force for ending the show when they did and preventing what could have been a worse situation. Both cases of CNS Channel 6 and the Bounty Killa concert point to the fact that we need to fast track Broadcast Legislation Reform and a progressive Public Entertainment Act to ensure each individual’s right to life.
ROXANNE MYERS