The Editor, Sir:

I am a little befuddled by one course of event that took place in the celebration of the return of Usain Bolt. While I am extremely excited, like other Jamaicans, I am also aware that we are sending many subliminal messages in our actions. It is against this background that I ask why the dancehall artiste Mavado was included in the official celebrations. I am sure he considers himself worthy of celebrating like all of us Jamaicans and, of course, he is. That, however, does not have to include him being in the official welcome home.

When the athletes performed way beyond many of our expectations, the prime minister delivered a national broadcast. He posited that these individuals were role models and brought us great acclaim abroad. He also called on the criminal elements in the society to look at this positive and stop hurting our country.

Criminal act

As far as I know, Mavado has never been convicted of any criminal act, and yes, there is no conclusive evidence that dancehall music leads to criminal behaviour.

I also know that Mavado is a public figure, one whose lyrics are repeated frequently by young men across this island nation. I also know that he is very controversial and is no angel. One may argue that neither is any of us, including me, but I am no public figure being emulated by impressionable teenagers.

I, however, put to you that we are validating Mavado as a positive role model when we link him to such an event.

Embrace them

We cannot, on the one hand, denounce the lyrics that these dancehall artistes spit out, but we embrace them regardless. We need to send a strong signal to these artistes whom we consider poor role models that it is not business as usual in the way they behave. Surely, a 'gangsta for life' should not be a positive role model.

Yes, he sang a song about the Olympians, but so did other people way less controversial. Is he donating the proceeds of the sales from this song to the JAAA or the JOA? If not, then he is just another opportunist. So what do we owe him to require us validating him in a national event put on by the Government?

I am, etc.,

SHERENE LINDSAY

sherene.lindsay@yahoo.com

Manchester