Cultural ambassador Rondy “Luta” McIntosh has defended his action to use an actual prepared grave at the Kingstown Cemetery to film a video for a political song.
And while he denied that the postponement of the burial at the cemetery on Saturday was as a result of his activities there, he said that filming in cemeteries is something that artistes do.
He further asked if his actions were worse than fetes in cemetery as part of All Saint’s and All Soul’s observations – referred to locally, in some circles, as “Jumbie Leggo”.
McIntosh also rejected the allegation that he had desecrated the burial site, and, therefore, had broken the law.
He said that before using these terms, people should search the internet for their meanings.
“To desecrate something means to treat a sacred place or thing with violence, disrespect; violent disrespect.’ Where in a video shoot there is violent disrespect and how it is sacrilegious and all these words they’re throwing around,” McIntosh said in a call to Hot 97 on Monday.
“Sacrilegious is an act of destroying, to hurt or ruin something sacred — like if you burn a cross, that is sacrilegious. So people just throwing a whole heap a terms and words around and trying and sound intelligent. Come on man,” McIntosh said.
He said there are people, not including what he called “the internet crazies” — who he said he is not bothered by — who are offended by his actions.
“But we live in a Christian society … they do not like the whole graveyard stuff and I understand that. And I am publicly issuing an apology to anyone who is offended that a shoot took place in a burial ground.”
Asked if, in light of his apology, he was still going to use the footage from the cemetery, McIntosh said that the filming for his project was done at various locations and he could not say which ones would be included in the final project.
He said there are people who did not like him singing soca and asked whether he should stop singing because this offends some people.
“It comes the same, really…” McIntosh said.
Asked why apologise then, he said because he knew that “people are sensitive to those things. So just to say, just to those people.”
McIntosh said he works well with his team and they would make, together, a decision on whether to use the footage.
The artiste said that whatever the decision of the group, he would act as if it is his and he supports it.
Wise decision Luta. It takes a big man to acknowledge an error and apologise.
This man is a cultural ambassador. I am not sure what term means but I guess it has something to do with leadership and setting good examples for others to follow. Filming in the grave yard to make a political video is disrespectful to the dead and there famalies.. The filming should have been done on private property and not in a grave yard. This man has no leadership qualities. How did he get the job of Cultural ambassador? Take role away from him and give it to someone who could leadership for others to follow.
On the other hand the man is perhaps reflecting the values of the ULP.
Finally, even the uniform the group wore in the grave yard is offensive.
Has this country lost its moral compass.?? Has this COUNTRY REALLY REALLY LOST ITS MORAL COMPASS.?? The fish truly rots from the head . So sorry for the younger generation, may God help us.
Don’t sound like a real apology!
If you apologize, you don’t go on the defensive or offensive.
You sound just like the Combad talking about, “internet Crazies and not being bothered”.
Now are you really sorry for offending people who respect you Luta?
The Love of Money, ehhh?