Dutty Collage
When I was much younger, growing up as a young Christian my church ( a trinitarian pentecostal) held regular open air crusades. One of the favorite choruses had these words, "I'm going on towards my mark, towards my goal... so many lives depend on what I do, give me the strength Lord, I'm going on for you."
How often does this pride defying and back to reality realization hit you? That what you do can and will affect so many lives? I came across two items today that brought this painfully home to home to me. One was an email with a link for a video entitled "Because The Children Are Watching"
Take a look at the movie (I hope the link works for you).
The other was an article in the Wednesday Star ( Click on the title of the article posted here)- by Blacka, Jamaican comedian, in his column " Blacka's Box)- If you cant get a hold of the star or find it online then please send an email to: hit-me-back@hotmail. com and ask Blacka to email the article to you. The article is entitled "If I'm Wrong, You Write!" Blacka speaks about the negative impact that the dancehall and reggae artistes are having on the young of the nation. They seem more like artists who are painting a dutty, ugly collage!
Its time we wake up and realize the tremendous negatives impact that these dancehalls 'eye cons' or 'ear-cons' not icons are having on our nation. They play a very signifcant role in shaping what is acceptable behavior. Take the informer syndrome for instance where communities have been convinced that it is wrong and disloyal to give the police or any other law abiding body for that matter information on a wrong doer. It is the person who squeals who is seen as a threat to the community.
I recently hear a selecta's voice over the clearness of the night air in Grants Pen bellowing from a distance " Big up Andrew Phang, big up iron monk, big up George Flash... gunshot fe all police an informa" . When the selecta commands , "all who kno seh dem a nuh one burner han' inna de air, an all who haan nah go up bun a fya pon dem"- the very pressure of teh screaming masses causes the young who may be contemplating a faithful monogamous relationship to second guess their chances of acceptance.
How can we rub off the dutty collage that is being painted? How can we fight against the disturbing trend? How can we send a message of positive values in such a way that they will hear and listen?
How often does this pride defying and back to reality realization hit you? That what you do can and will affect so many lives? I came across two items today that brought this painfully home to home to me. One was an email with a link for a video entitled "Because The Children Are Watching"
Take a look at the movie (I hope the link works for you).
The other was an article in the Wednesday Star ( Click on the title of the article posted here)- by Blacka, Jamaican comedian, in his column " Blacka's Box)- If you cant get a hold of the star or find it online then please send an email to: hit-me-back@hotmail. com and ask Blacka to email the article to you. The article is entitled "If I'm Wrong, You Write!" Blacka speaks about the negative impact that the dancehall and reggae artistes are having on the young of the nation. They seem more like artists who are painting a dutty, ugly collage!
Its time we wake up and realize the tremendous negatives impact that these dancehalls 'eye cons' or 'ear-cons' not icons are having on our nation. They play a very signifcant role in shaping what is acceptable behavior. Take the informer syndrome for instance where communities have been convinced that it is wrong and disloyal to give the police or any other law abiding body for that matter information on a wrong doer. It is the person who squeals who is seen as a threat to the community.
I recently hear a selecta's voice over the clearness of the night air in Grants Pen bellowing from a distance " Big up Andrew Phang, big up iron monk, big up George Flash... gunshot fe all police an informa" . When the selecta commands , "all who kno seh dem a nuh one burner han' inna de air, an all who haan nah go up bun a fya pon dem"- the very pressure of teh screaming masses causes the young who may be contemplating a faithful monogamous relationship to second guess their chances of acceptance.
How can we rub off the dutty collage that is being painted? How can we fight against the disturbing trend? How can we send a message of positive values in such a way that they will hear and listen?
Comments
The link works ... tear jerking ... conviction !!!
Because the Children are Watching is just an earth moving expression ... really seriously causes you to really look at what you do on a daily basis ... the power behind the influence you have .... because each individual whether they seek to influence or not has a significant influence even if they only have contact with one person.
I just don't know how to respond to the concluding questions and preceding thoughts ... "how?"
I don't know ... I really don't ...
only a divine revelation / solution from our Lord can make a change. This is why He has been calling us to increased time in prayer and in The Word and just walking in love towards each other.
Maybe that's a portion of the solution right there !!! Seeking after that intense intimacy with Him ... solutions to NOW problems would naturally come forth with precision.