Do We Honour Our Women or Degrade them?

Music tells us something about ourselves as a people. What are the lewdness, profanity, and, in particular, the sexual innuendoes directed against women by some dancehall artistes saying? Is this degradation of women truly reflecting our Caribbean culture? Does it show respect for our current and future mothers? Or, is it that many enjoy seeing which artiste can be 'badder' than the rest?

Traditionally men see themselves as leaders of, and sometimes as being superior to, women. Do those who purposefully go out of their way to degrade women think that they can earn respect by 'dissing' mothers, daughters and sisters? Would they appreciate it if others spoke of the women in their own families in this way? Apparently these considerations are not foremost in their minds. In a recent article in the Jamaican 'Star' upcoming star Alozade said "Yellow Man big, what yuh think mek him big. Shabba big what yuh think mek him big, sex sells, yuh affi give dem it, as raw as it is."

In the same article Bounty Killer is reported as saying "As long as people like it (slack songs) you will have it. It's the type of people and the moral standards that exist. As long as there is a market for it, it will exist, because people love sex and so people will sing about it." Undoubtedly people love sex but perhaps a page needs to be taken from the Calypso giants like Sparrow who produced songs like 'Big Bamboo,' 'Bang Bang Lulu,' and 'My Pussin.' They demonstrated far more skill as song writers as they managed to capture the fun loving sense of humor of the Caribbean people while, at the same time, managing to be very suggestive with totally 'innocent' songs.

Truly great songs uplift us; they touch something inside. This, perhaps more that anything else, was what gave Bob Marley's music such enduring quality. Who can listen carefully to the words of such songs as 'No Woman No Cry' and 'One Love' and not appreciate their message? The words we speak truly reflect what is in our hearts and who we are as people.

Fortunately for dancehall there are a number of artistes, including Warrior King, Capleton, Luciano, Buju Banton, and Tony Rebel who see their mission as being the uplifting of women. In his song 'Virtuous Woman' Warrior King says "a good woman is essential to a man's purpose and his missions, a good woman is a glory to her man, she will never take his power, she will just make him a better man.' Capleton, who refers to 'Black Woman' as 'Mother of the Earth,' often says "Never yuh dis Mother Earth, bwoy wise." Again, Ritchie Stephens, in an interview with the Gleaner, said "Women to me are like flowers, they help to beautify the world. It's very simple. A woman plays a very important role in a man's life, when a woman is around there is so much beauty. It's not hard to compliment the ladies."

Most self respecting men, as well as women, soon get tired of the degradation of the feminine sex by some who are quick to call them such things as 'hoes' and 'bitches' with far too great a frequency. Perhaps those artistes who seek fame and fortune by dragging women through the mud should take a look at what is happening to the charts. Perhaps they will notice there the increasing popularity of conscious lyrics. We, as the Caribbean people, are justly proud of our heritage and culture. That culture is expressed to the world in the music of our people. Maybe it would be useful to reflect on who we are as a people today and what we really want to tell the world, our children and our grandchildren about ourselves.