There is no questioning of the fact that reggae, more than any other Jamaican product or institution, has lead the way in creating worldwide recognition for Jamaica. The Recording Industry Association of Jamaica/RIAJam should once again be commended for its foresight and initiative in spearheading the call made in late 2007 for the Government to declare February officially as Reggae Month.

As we all now come together to celebrate and focus more attention on this world-renowned phenomenon called reggae, I think it is incumbent on us in the local music industry to take a very serious look at ourselves. Have we acted with the level of professionalism and unity deserving of this very special Jamaican product?

International standards

Recent events would suggest the contrary, as some of us continue to decry the efforts of those who work hard and invest time and money to achieve international standards of professionalism. It is also very ironic that the first year of celebrating Reggae Month has come with efforts by some to tear down the very institutions that gave birth to the concept of Reggae Month.

The Government also needs to take a serious look at itself and take necessary steps to convince naysayers that reggae is not being used by politicians for popularity and publicity purposes rather than as a mechanism for social and economic development. The failure of Government to support the annual Reggae Academy Awards after much initial publicity and fanfare, is nothing short of mind-boggling.

Reggae music is bigger than any one individual, bigger than Government and, some may even argue, bigger than Jamaica. We need to stop thinking and acting like parochial 'crabs in a barrel' and rise to the occasion and represent reggae as the global phenomenon that it is.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD STANBURY

lloydstanbury@hotmail.com

Kingston 5