Junior Reid
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
WITH the impending general election drawing nigh, no one will be exempt from the spin-offs of the proceedings and the end result of such. We all live here, entertainers included.
The Sunday Gleaner spoke with some entertainers about the inevitable elections and got mixed reactions. It is important to note, however, that many of the entertainers approached refused to give their 'two pence' on the matter.
The fire-burning D.Y.C.R. was not amongst the silent flock. When Showbiz asked if he would prefer an early election as opposed to one that will be held in the latter part of the year, he said: "If the election will be peaceful one and the country will be better off, it will be better to have it sooner than later. But if it is not going to have a positive impact, it is better it nuh happen none at all.'
Frisco Kid, a.k.a. the Ancient Monarchy, did not waste time in voicing his disapproval of the 'isms' and schisms surrounding politics by 'putting a fire pon poli-tricks'. "Mi bun all politician and election, cause none ah dem nuh qualify, so why have an election when no one is there to elect," he said.
Junior 'One Blood' Reid seemed to have an alternative that Frisco Kid could consider - an alternative that has not yet been introduced to the aching society - a party that Mr. Reid boldly proclaims will bring about a revolution and solve our macro and micro economic problems. "Right now, mi not even business bout dem election ting. All mi concerned bout a di Rasta Government. Mi nuh support the x-government. Election and dem ting deh cause bloodshed and the losing of lives; ah wish dem woulda neva have one," the former Black Uhuru lead singer said.
"The album coming in May name Rasta Government. Go get the album and see that the only Government that can bring about a change is the Rasta Government. Self-reliance and dem ting deh we a teach," emphasised Mr. Reid, who pointed out that over the years he has lost several friends to political tensions.
Valton 'VC' Craigie, who rose to fame last year with the number one hit By His Deeds, is of the opinion that the imminent general elections should be put on the back burner for the time being.
"I think we still need time to deal with certain issues, so the date of the election should be dependent on how long it takes to get those issues resolved and the time it will take the parties involved to show the general public their stance and what they have to offer," pointed out VC.
But if getting opinions on holding elections was difficult, ascertaining whether entertainers planned to vote or not was doubly so. It proved itself to be a 'touchy topic' with almost everyone.
Some like D.Y.C.R., usually forthright and frank with their responses, were now a bit withdrawn. "Well me always enumerate, but me never vote yet. But for this election when I reach that bridge I will cross it," exclaimed D.Y.C.R.
Similar sentiments were shared by VC, as he too is still in the process of administering his litmus test on voting. "I am still undecided on whether I will, because right now I have very little faith in any of the parties contesting this election. A vote is an act of conscience, and right now I don't think in good conscience I could vote for any of the existing parties," he said.
On the other hand, there are those in the same frame of mind as the Ancient Monarchy. His mind was fixed, and his decision not to partake in the voting process seemed to be written in stone. "Mi neva and will neva. Fi who? A mus King Selassie ah go deh pon di ballot. Right yah now, him ah di only man can go mek me dip my finger inna ink," stressed Frisco.
His stance was endorsed by Junior Reid, as he likewise will not smear his fingers with the red ink. "From the day I know miself mi neva vote. That's why dem frame me and go lock mi up inna Gun Court," rhymed the singer.
But having stated their stance on marking the 'x' to the party of their choice, the entertainers were posed with the question of whether they would encourage or discourage the general public from part taking in electoral process.
Despite being public figures who have some impact on society at large, all decided that they would not put themselves in the 'hot seat' of promoting or opposing the general public's participation in the electoral process.
"Everyman affi mek dem own decision. I and I nuh business with it, cause it done get out ah hand already," emphasised Frisco. His point was reiterated by D.Y.C.R. "If they see it in their best interest, they must go vote. I will not tell them not to vote, because the country must have a leader," he said.
VC seems to be in a state of bewilderment, as he thinks that the right to vote should be exercised by all those who possess such, but at the same time considering the political climate, second thoughts do linger.
"The right to vote is so precious, it would be a disservice not to vote or to discourage anyone from voting, but it really feels like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said.
The devout Rastafarian Junior Reid continued his campaign for a 'Rasta Government' when he said he would indeed encourage the people to vote, but not for any of the parties contesting the forthcoming general election. "Mi ago tell them fi vote, but any vote a mus fi Rasta, cause this country and the people need a change. The people dem need some love; dung yah is like hell... it come een like it harder fi a youth live than die," explained Mr. Reid.
It is not 'G-14 Classified' (top secret) that every time an election draws nigh the murder rate increases. Even the extra-terrestrial beings which may visit Jamaica ever so often knows that it is not in their best interest to visit the island of land, wood and water when election campaigns are in full flight.
The artistes are making a desperate call for the country not to resort to such madness this time around. "It simple. We a beg unnu fi stop it (violence), cause it counter-productive. We have had too many years of tribalism and it's time now that the people and the politicians know that this is no way to run a country," emphasised VC.
He continued: "I really pray for the day when people will stop allowing themselves to be used. I really pray for the day when people will base their decisions on intelligent reasons rather than intimidation, handouts or just mere tradition," he said.
The call for peace was also echoed by Marion 'Lady Saw' Hall. "I'd love for our elections to be as peaceful as the American elections. I mean yuh hear about it - everyone goes in and puts in their vote when the day comes, goes back home and hopes his party wins," expressed Ms. Hall.
D.Y.C.R. refrained from his usual fire-burning and joined in the call for peace and unity. "The people must know themselves and know seh if we want betterment, we must just unite in the path of righteousness," he said.
"The negativity and violence jus a kill off we owna black sistas and brothers and the politicians and heads of Government neva normally have nutten do to them. I neva hear one a dem ah get shot or dem ting deh, ah jus we a kill off we one another with this madness called politics," D.Y.C.R. said.
The exception of political casualties as a result of the tribal wars that peak during the volatile election period was also endorsed by The Ancient Monarchy. "The nozzle dem a turn pon the wrong set a people, cause who a mek dem a suffer, they are being guarded, protected and honoured.
"Right now the youth dem fi stop and think. Look how much people ah dead an yuh nuh hear seh no politician ah dead. Mi neva hear nutten like that yet. I not saying that they should go and kill any politician, but where all this negative vibe coming from? The youth dem need fi puddung the gun dem," emphasised Frisco.
Junior Reid joined his colleagues, as they all in one voice gave a shout out for peace and 'one love', especially since the general elections are on the horizon.
"Whether yuh be PNP or Labourite, the whole a we a one blood. The head fi PNP and JLP a fren, so why we the people affi fight? We don't need it, cause we a fight fi nutten," Jnr. Reid said.
