#BTEditorial – Will the mongooses be returned to guard the chickens?

There is a level of hypocrisy spreading across fertile ground in Barbados. And it is threatening to become worse unless conscience, truth and apolitical reasoning take precedence in most, if not all, of our social interactions.

The ruckus over the highly melodic but lyrically repulsive Trojan Riddim Mix video by popular entertainer Ricky Lil Rick Reid that promotes gun violence, is understandable. That others before Mr Reid have rendered similar in local or other jurisdictions does not excuse the content or message of the video, especially in the prevailing crime-ridden environment in the island.

Questions have been raised in some quarters as to the artiste’s right to create and perform his craft unhindered. But the wider society has the simultaneous right to show its abhorrence to ‘art’ that demonstrates insensitivity to the loss of human life, promotes the taking of human life and does so in the most profane manner. Some might even query whether legally the video has crossed the line of incitement to commit violent and unlawful acts and has opened up those responsible to possible prosecution. Some of the puerile excuses being circulated to justify the video’s vulgarity showcase just how dangerously this country has slipped.

But there is more to this saga than just the creation of the video. Indeed, it has landed right in the middle of a hypocritical Barbadian environment that will continue to spawn such occurrences. We understand the political backlash which the song has generated. After all, as queried by a broadcaster over the airwaves recently, and as appears to be the case, some of these artistes are reportedly receiving quite hefty sums by Government. There are reports circulating that they are used as influencers working with Government on a number of social programmes.

If true, the hirers must be keenly aware that there is quite substantial egg running down their faces from this situation. But should there be any surprise? Are Barbadians sold on this politically tinged unrighteous indignation being spewed into the public domain? When last spotted, mongooses eat chickens, why then lock them in a pen with poultry?

There has been a proliferation of sexually charged, expletive-laden, violence-inducing material available on the underground market and heard on privately owned Public Service Vehicles, and elsewhere, for decades that have originated from some of these same artistes. Suddenly, we pretend to be shocked, appalled, bewildered, offended and engaged in all sorts of acrobatic moral dilemmas over the Trojan Riddim Mix video. But the reality is that the powers that be placed the mongooses among the chickens. Who then should be apologising?

Just over a decade ago Mr. Reid was axed by Starcom Network Inc. for playing material over the airwaves which contravened its guidelines of not airing songs that “contain sexual crudity, social degradation or exhibit unmistakably poor taste”. Mr Reid, managed at that time by current Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw, was said to have been “counselled, reprimanded and disciplined” by the company for three infractions. There was no immediate apology coming from the artiste then and we are unaware if any eventually came. But if as a paid influencer, with a great following of young people despite his 50-plus years, Mr Reid is being rightfully condemned for his video and there is the inference that it does nothing to help “influence” impressionable minds away from murder and mayhem, then we must go the full monty with our condemnations.

Mr Reid has joined our politicians in sending the wrong messages to young impressionable minds. Patriotic Barbadians who care more about their country than they do about the colours red, blue or yellow, ought to have the intestinal fortitude to listen to the empty, self-ingratiating political noises pervading the atmosphere and demand consistency and accountability of behaviour at all levels.

We have had an apology from Peter Ram and others but while we wait for Mr Reid’s, who from the Government will apologise for the spectacle of known and/or convicted drug offenders waving official invitations to the opening of Parliament in 2018? What greater acceptance can there be than to be dressed in one’s finest and to rub shoulders with the political elite while being safeguarded by the same security forces one will seek to undermine the next day? If we accept that there is an inextricable link between the illegal drug trade and gun violence in Barbados, then why have we not  insisted on an apology for that egregious folly?

A few weeks ago, we had a scenario where another individual previously convicted for illegal drugs had occasion to demonstrate to his many impressionable followers that he not only had access to the country’s political elite but that he could counter a directive by law enforcement officials in front their faces. In this instance, the right or wrong of what played out pales into insignificance compared to the message sent to that individual’s underlings and the elevation of personal status it carried. We have had excuses, we have had political acrobatics. But we have had no public apology to the Royal Barbados Police Force whose members will have to return to that hostile locale in the future. As Anglican Bishop Michael Maxwell stated less that 48 hours ago, adults are culpable for much of the negative conduct of our youth.

Barbadian society has gone soft on criminality and lawlessness at various levels and solutions and suggestions have been offered time and again. But as occurs in most jurisdictions, politicians play to the gallery, always with an eye on how best to curry favour and win votes. The placement of persons in strategic positions to influence selected portions of our communities or as reward for services rendered is par for course. Occasionally they will embarrass their sponsors, then there will be a hue and cry, but eventually, the mongooses are returned to safeguard the chickens and the cycle starts afresh.