Thompson

The recent debate about lewd and violent lyrics is a cyclical one and will unfortunately soon fizzle out, despite the 'consensus' of which Ian Boyne has written and the commendably strong stance of the Broadcasting Commission. The value of the 'consensus' and the resolve of the Broadcasting Commission are not to be measured by the latest assertions, but where we are on these matters next year this time.

Lewd and violence-laced lyrics have long been identified as a potential contributor to the creation of hostile tendencies, aggressive interpersonal transactions and outright violent behaviour, many of which produce fatalities in Jamaica; but we have done little to address it.

The P.J. Patterson-initiated Values and Attitudes campaign was one response, but opposition and equivocal support and lack of political will led to its shelving. Instead, what we had were stage shows and major entertainers being adored for their violent and lewd content and reported on with excitement in various media.

The current state of the flourishing dancehall culture, from which has sprung dark-tinted buses promoting sex and lewdness, did not happen overnight; its growth was fostered, to a significant degree, by academics, policymakers, advertisers and others who sought to sanitise it, putting a spin on its nature designed to produce a level of acceptability and social appeal. "Vices we explain, then pity, and then embrace."

What we are experiencing today are the effects of two or so decades of facilitating or ignoring the emergence of a certain mindset and culture. So with the 'consensus' and the firm stance of the Broadcasting Commission, where do we go? The next step after the debate must be a clear set of priorities that lead in the direction of ensuring that the social good is defended.

POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES

The solutions to the challenges that have arisen in part from the lewdness which has come to characterise us must go beyond legislation banning certain songs from being played on the airwaves and public transport; it must go beyond limiting cable content and criminalising the dark-tinted public-passenger vehicles, though the solutions must, in my view, include those measures. Some of the simple solutions will include designing programming to be aired on public transports. The content of such programmes must engage the issues of relevance to youth and the packaging and presentation must be exciting and creative. Far too often, solid content is presented in a boring and unattractive manner.

Efforts, therefore, at engaging students with alternative content will, therefore, need to be creative and exciting. Obviously, many will pay little attention initially but over time, by removing from their diet content that produces the kinds of social consequences we are now seeing and replacing it with alternative messages, it is almost inevitable that behaviours will change.

It will also be necessary for bus crews to undergo training to allow them to appreciate the value of the alternative messaging. This training should include basic child psychology and sociology, among other areas.

The ban of certain songs from the airwaves, a sanitising and scrutinising of the songs played at school fêtes are necessary, but there needs to be put in its place mechanisms to facilitate the expression of musical talent in ways that respond to the creative genius of youngsters. Thus, music as a subject needs to be taught in schools with a wider scope, and the formal system needs to be open to and give shape and 'refinement' to natural tendencies. In the same way a naturally good batsman in cricket needs coaching, so should schools provide coaching in several facets of music. Critically, the opinion-shapers need to ensure that they support the initiatives. For years, carnival, with all its questionable aspects, was supported by those who condemned dancehall on aspects that were identical. This hypocrisy has affected public goodwill.

ULTIMATE GOAL

The ultimate goal of the interventions is the 'production' of alternative role models. This is the most effective way to insulate youngsters from the corrupting influence of various stimuli from home or abroad. These role models are required both at home and outside the home. Given the generally accepted view that one of the problems facing Jamaica (and many other societies) is the marginalisation of males, a crucial intervention to the despoiling effects of lewdness will be the transformation of young males who can function effectively at home and elsewhere. Children need role models of both genders, but there is a woeful lack of appropriate male role models. The early childhood level of schooling has only female teachers, and given the innate need children have for both, they will take anyone they get. One of the measures that could possibly help is for males to be trained to teach music or do sports coaching in early childhood institutions. A portion of the nice sums now being spent in the early childhood sector may be directed for such purposes.

But the problem of male marginalisation has to be tackled simultaneously. In this regard, the centres of learning have an important role to play.

Dr Canute Thompson is assistant vice-president at the International University of the Caribbean. He may be reached at canute_thompson@hotmail.com. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com .