THE EDITOR, Sir:
THOUGH THE violence and discordant vibes at the Sting concert does, to a limited degree, reflect on some of the problems within Jamaica, we do not believe it reflects the true heart and soul of the island, which is more accurately reflected by Jamaica's conscious reggae music.
This vibration of One Love emanating from Jamaica through its reggae music is having a profound healing effect on people everywhere. Every day millions of people around the world listen to your reggae artistes your "messengers of One Love" not just for entertainment but for guidance, healing and upliftment as well. It is a force that must be respected, honoured and nurtured. To many it is clear that Jamaica is playing "her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race" during these vulnerable times.
This vibration is not coming from a handful of recording artistes alone. Rather, like all forms of indigenous music, it has been birthed and sustained by the society as a whole. It reflects the consciousness of the culture the true heart of Jamaica.
Last year, my family and I organised The Healing of the Nation Concerts at schools throughout Jamaica. One of the concerts was at UWI on Bob's 58th birthday. It featured reggae artists such as Luciano, Abijah, Ernie Smith, Delroy Morgan, Mackie Conscious, Swade and I'ngel Chanta. All of us asked Jamaicans to heal their society by healing their personal relationships. To do this we are asking every Jamaican willing to do one simple thing: to forgive as many people as they can, including themselves, as soon as they can, as much as they can and to encourage others to do likewise.
Many people heard this message as the concert was broadcast live by Richie B. As reported this week by the Constabulary Communications Network, major crime showed a big drop in 2003.
Along with the JCDC, we are planning a similar concert this year on Bob's 59th birthday, February 6, 2004. It will be free and held at Emancipation Park an appropriate venue for a message of One Love. We will invite the speakers and performers and, as we did the last two years, once again we will forward the challenge of Jamaica being the first society to heal itself with individual acts of One Love and forgiveness.
Our message to the Jamaican people is one that we feel will increase the national and personal self-esteem of every Jamaican.
We are, etc.,
JULIA, ALICIA & ROBERT ROSKIND
roskind@boone.net PO Box 2142
Blowing Rock, NC
Via Go-Jamaica
