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The Undoing of an Icon
Howard Gregory
Sunday, December 20, 2009
JUST over a week ago, the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church, which covers all the Dioceses within the English-speaking Caribbean, convened in the Republic of Guyana. Among the many activities of the Synod was an address by Dr Grantley Walrond, an outstanding Guyanese, who spoke on the subject "Seizing the Opportunities in a Difficult Environment: The possible options of the Church". Among the various challenges which he believes the Synod will face was that of a new appreciation for music in the lives of young people, especially the genre of music which finds expression in the contemporary pop culture. Far from being mere noise as older people are prone to perceive it, it is, among other things, a vehicle through which we can hear the profound expressions of concern regarding the challenges, struggles, and injustices of life in contemporary Caribbean society. As an example of this, he quoted from Buju Banton's Untold Stories:
While I`m Living
Thanks I`ll Be Giving
To the Most High You know,
[Chorus: ]
I am living while I am living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play
While this is not the only type of music which Buju has produced, and which has won him both fame and infamy, nevertheless, in the context of the message which was contained in the entire presentation with its various challenges, many of us came away from that session with a resolve to pay more attention to the words of contemporary songs beyond that of Buju Banton. A day later, we received news of the arrest of Buju Banton in Florida for allegedly attempting to purchase several kilograms of cocaine from undercover DEA agents. For those who were recently introduced to the moral and prophetic messages in Buju's music, this threatened to dismantle the foundation of an alliance which had only just been formed. This was not limited to some religious converts, but also to faithful followers and fans of this talented singer and musician. His arrest has been made more difficult due to the fact that the singer has been moving through a process of personal transformation which seems to reflect some kind of a religious experience. Not surprisingly then, people have advanced a conspiracy theory which suggests that he was "set up".
Buju Banton is not a newcomer to the world of controversy. His song, Boom bye bye, which advocates violence against homosexuals, angered gays, lesbians and transsexuals who hit him where it hurts, when they called for the boycotting of his music and restricted the range and scope of the overseas locations at which he would be able to stage shows and tours. His willingness to meet with a gay group in San Francisco was perceived as a sign of maturity on his part, although he insisted that he would not concede to any of their demands that would show him to be accommodating of homosexuality.
It cannot escape the attention of persons who are alert to developments in the contemporary world that there are several cases of icons from the world of sports and music who are currently in the media spotlight for their involvement in or association with activities which are undermining their success and the level of public confidence and support. At the local level I speak of the competition and conflict which have arisen between the followers of Mavado and Vbyz Kartel and which have taken on violent expressions. In the minds of many Jamaicans, the Gaza and Gully factions have seemingly led to an increase in violence. Accordingly, while the musicians probably see this as a good marketing strategy, it is clear that the society is impatient with their stance. It is yet to be seen if the Jamaica House meeting will resolve the present difficulties and restore the confidence of the wider society in these two artistes.
Mention must be made here of Ninja Man, a person who is not new to cases of infringement of the law. In more recent times, we have seen an event put on by our national and international sports icon and ambassador, Usain Bolt, closed down by the police. And while there were no charges brought against him, this erodes the public support and respect which he and other icons enjoy.
But perhaps the icon which has come under the greatest global spotlight with negative publicity in recent days is Tiger Woods. Here is a person of colour whose achievements in the field of golf are unparalleled, and has been the epitome of the moral and clean life, who has now been revealed to have a secret life. Although Woods is a person who has kept his personal life private, it took a simple motor vehicle mishap to bring his whole life into public view, fanned of course by media hype. Not only has his level of credibility been shaken, but it is also beginning to hurt his pocket as some of his sponsors and those whose products he has endorsed have begun to withdraw their support and association. We may ask what is this all about, since Tiger Woods is a golfer and what transpired had nothing to do with a single stroke on the golf course, but rather a domestic dispute and personal indiscretions.
The point is that society enters into complicity with these persons by transposing their achievements in music, sports, or the arts to the making of moral icons. They are suddenly the great models and exemplars of moral conduct and trendsetters of social values and behaviours for children and the rest of the society. We create this aura of unreality and expect these individuals to live within this orbit. In so doing we forget that these persons have achieved greatness and excellence from the pursuit of their field of endeavour and not from being rounded figures worthy of emulation. It is perhaps more a commentary on the lack of moral icons and leaders in the society than the failure of artistes and sports personalities to live up to high standards of conduct.
There was a publication by Professor Rex Nettleford that was written shortly after the death of Bob Marley when it was being suggested that Bob should be made a national hero for his contribution to music in the international arena. There were persons who dismissed the idea forthwith, citing Bob's proliferation of babymothers and their children. It was the professor who pointed out then that the saints and icons who have been elevated over the history of humanity have not been so acknowledged because of moral perfection, as there were many who had moral and other failures in their lives. The recognition which they received was often for their significant contribution to the advancement and upliftment of the society. This would also be true for many of the biblical characters who are revered by people of faith through the ages.
Perhaps it is time that we abandon the old strategy of putting these persons on pedestals and begin to find more creative ways of assisting them. We perhaps need to recognise the personhood of these individuals and not the images of our creation. This means that these are persons with unique personalities who have been shaped by their circumstance and environment. The values which they embrace and the lifestyles which they live may be characteristic to who they are. They may therefore exhibit what some may regard as antisocial behaviour. We must recognise also that the success and popularity which these persons gain will cause them to attract opportunists (as is the case with politicians), who may come along for the ride and contribute to the downfall of these persons. Additionally, the wealth which comes the way of these individuals can have a negative impact on their lives, by creating extravagant appetites and spending which can see their fortune being threatened or shortlived, as we have seen in the case of Michael Jackson. A further consideration is the need to acknowledge the pressures and stresses that come with success and the challenge to stay on top. The list of pop artistes and sports personalities who have had to deal with substance abuse and the emotional rollercoaster is unending. It is for this reason that it is not inconceivable that Buju Banton may now be in serious trouble and may see his career and life shattered. Taken together, these dynamics indicate that these celebrities and icons need mentors who can help them navigate the treacherous path to success and provide continuous help throughout their careers.
While we await the outcome of Buju Banton's trial, the evidence being released to the media does not indicate the likelihood of vindication. Whatever the outcome, we cannot simply lay everything at the feet of this icon, but must examine the way in which we build up icons and tear them down, and must also ensure that we offer more positive options to those who are still rising stars.
Howard Gregory
Sunday, December 20, 2009
JUST over a week ago, the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church, which covers all the Dioceses within the English-speaking Caribbean, convened in the Republic of Guyana. Among the many activities of the Synod was an address by Dr Grantley Walrond, an outstanding Guyanese, who spoke on the subject "Seizing the Opportunities in a Difficult Environment: The possible options of the Church". Among the various challenges which he believes the Synod will face was that of a new appreciation for music in the lives of young people, especially the genre of music which finds expression in the contemporary pop culture. Far from being mere noise as older people are prone to perceive it, it is, among other things, a vehicle through which we can hear the profound expressions of concern regarding the challenges, struggles, and injustices of life in contemporary Caribbean society. As an example of this, he quoted from Buju Banton's Untold Stories:
While I`m Living
Thanks I`ll Be Giving
To the Most High You know,
[Chorus: ]
I am living while I am living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price
Arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play
While this is not the only type of music which Buju has produced, and which has won him both fame and infamy, nevertheless, in the context of the message which was contained in the entire presentation with its various challenges, many of us came away from that session with a resolve to pay more attention to the words of contemporary songs beyond that of Buju Banton. A day later, we received news of the arrest of Buju Banton in Florida for allegedly attempting to purchase several kilograms of cocaine from undercover DEA agents. For those who were recently introduced to the moral and prophetic messages in Buju's music, this threatened to dismantle the foundation of an alliance which had only just been formed. This was not limited to some religious converts, but also to faithful followers and fans of this talented singer and musician. His arrest has been made more difficult due to the fact that the singer has been moving through a process of personal transformation which seems to reflect some kind of a religious experience. Not surprisingly then, people have advanced a conspiracy theory which suggests that he was "set up".
Buju Banton is not a newcomer to the world of controversy. His song, Boom bye bye, which advocates violence against homosexuals, angered gays, lesbians and transsexuals who hit him where it hurts, when they called for the boycotting of his music and restricted the range and scope of the overseas locations at which he would be able to stage shows and tours. His willingness to meet with a gay group in San Francisco was perceived as a sign of maturity on his part, although he insisted that he would not concede to any of their demands that would show him to be accommodating of homosexuality.
It cannot escape the attention of persons who are alert to developments in the contemporary world that there are several cases of icons from the world of sports and music who are currently in the media spotlight for their involvement in or association with activities which are undermining their success and the level of public confidence and support. At the local level I speak of the competition and conflict which have arisen between the followers of Mavado and Vbyz Kartel and which have taken on violent expressions. In the minds of many Jamaicans, the Gaza and Gully factions have seemingly led to an increase in violence. Accordingly, while the musicians probably see this as a good marketing strategy, it is clear that the society is impatient with their stance. It is yet to be seen if the Jamaica House meeting will resolve the present difficulties and restore the confidence of the wider society in these two artistes.
Mention must be made here of Ninja Man, a person who is not new to cases of infringement of the law. In more recent times, we have seen an event put on by our national and international sports icon and ambassador, Usain Bolt, closed down by the police. And while there were no charges brought against him, this erodes the public support and respect which he and other icons enjoy.
But perhaps the icon which has come under the greatest global spotlight with negative publicity in recent days is Tiger Woods. Here is a person of colour whose achievements in the field of golf are unparalleled, and has been the epitome of the moral and clean life, who has now been revealed to have a secret life. Although Woods is a person who has kept his personal life private, it took a simple motor vehicle mishap to bring his whole life into public view, fanned of course by media hype. Not only has his level of credibility been shaken, but it is also beginning to hurt his pocket as some of his sponsors and those whose products he has endorsed have begun to withdraw their support and association. We may ask what is this all about, since Tiger Woods is a golfer and what transpired had nothing to do with a single stroke on the golf course, but rather a domestic dispute and personal indiscretions.
The point is that society enters into complicity with these persons by transposing their achievements in music, sports, or the arts to the making of moral icons. They are suddenly the great models and exemplars of moral conduct and trendsetters of social values and behaviours for children and the rest of the society. We create this aura of unreality and expect these individuals to live within this orbit. In so doing we forget that these persons have achieved greatness and excellence from the pursuit of their field of endeavour and not from being rounded figures worthy of emulation. It is perhaps more a commentary on the lack of moral icons and leaders in the society than the failure of artistes and sports personalities to live up to high standards of conduct.
There was a publication by Professor Rex Nettleford that was written shortly after the death of Bob Marley when it was being suggested that Bob should be made a national hero for his contribution to music in the international arena. There were persons who dismissed the idea forthwith, citing Bob's proliferation of babymothers and their children. It was the professor who pointed out then that the saints and icons who have been elevated over the history of humanity have not been so acknowledged because of moral perfection, as there were many who had moral and other failures in their lives. The recognition which they received was often for their significant contribution to the advancement and upliftment of the society. This would also be true for many of the biblical characters who are revered by people of faith through the ages.
Perhaps it is time that we abandon the old strategy of putting these persons on pedestals and begin to find more creative ways of assisting them. We perhaps need to recognise the personhood of these individuals and not the images of our creation. This means that these are persons with unique personalities who have been shaped by their circumstance and environment. The values which they embrace and the lifestyles which they live may be characteristic to who they are. They may therefore exhibit what some may regard as antisocial behaviour. We must recognise also that the success and popularity which these persons gain will cause them to attract opportunists (as is the case with politicians), who may come along for the ride and contribute to the downfall of these persons. Additionally, the wealth which comes the way of these individuals can have a negative impact on their lives, by creating extravagant appetites and spending which can see their fortune being threatened or shortlived, as we have seen in the case of Michael Jackson. A further consideration is the need to acknowledge the pressures and stresses that come with success and the challenge to stay on top. The list of pop artistes and sports personalities who have had to deal with substance abuse and the emotional rollercoaster is unending. It is for this reason that it is not inconceivable that Buju Banton may now be in serious trouble and may see his career and life shattered. Taken together, these dynamics indicate that these celebrities and icons need mentors who can help them navigate the treacherous path to success and provide continuous help throughout their careers.
While we await the outcome of Buju Banton's trial, the evidence being released to the media does not indicate the likelihood of vindication. Whatever the outcome, we cannot simply lay everything at the feet of this icon, but must examine the way in which we build up icons and tear them down, and must also ensure that we offer more positive options to those who are still rising stars.
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