By *Jomo Sanga Thomas
(“Plain Talk” Aug. 23, 2024)
“If we wish to express what we want the men of the future generation to be, we must say: Let them be like Che! If we wish to say how we want our children to be educated, we must say without hesitation: We want them to be educated in Che’s spirit.” — Fidel Castro
PM Gonsalves’ decision to lay out the red carpet for the Jamaican dance hall legend Vybz Kartel is a reckless disregard for morals and ethics and a signal to our people, especially the youths, that once you are sufficiently infamous, you will be welcomed with open arms. Our country, rocked by criminal violence and a record 55 homicides last year, deserves better. But as I have repeated time and again, our government, led by world boss Gonsalves, is and will remain a gangster outfit.
Government propagandists have attempted to justify the embrace of Vybz Kartel by claiming that there is a publicity bonanza awaiting SVG. They maintain that our tourism will benefit leaps and bounds because Kartel’s fan club will see him feted by PM Gonsalves and other high government officials in our tropical paradise. They argue further that Kartel, diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune illness, will do wonders in marketing SVG as a wellness and health tourism destination.
They tell us that Vybz Kartel is so popular (3 million X and Instagram fans) that even though Kartel was recently released from a Jamaican jail after his conviction for murder, he is now a free man without a record for murder. Yes, our highest court, the Privy Council, freed him on a technicality, but the evidence arrayed against him was pretty solid. Kartel, along with others, were accused of disappearing a man who was last seen entering his home. The conviction was overturned because the trial judge improperly allowed a tainted juror to remain on the jury panel. The juror, in an attempt to pervert the course of justice, offered a bribe to each juror to return a not guilty verdict.
Vybz Kartel is wildly popular with youth across the world. He is a skilled dance hall artist. He writes well, and his catchy lyrics delivered over a rhythmic vibe have captivated many. But is he the model we want to hold up to our youth? Vybz Kartel is a notorious user of skin-beaching solutions. The level of self-hatred depicted in such a despicable practice is revoltingly nauseating. If you think marketing works as the government says, let’s pay the Nigerian sensation Burner Boy to come to our shores. He has 18 million X and Instagram followers and none of the notorious baggage that weighs down Vybz Kartel.
So, there you have it — our government’s high-profile embrace of an individual who, in the public domain, is seen as a practitioner of bad boyism, violent tribalism, and bleaching. Let’s contrast our government’s embrace of Vybz Kartel with that of the government and official opposition in Jamaica. Jamaica’s population in 2023 was 2.83 million, about 28 times ours. However, neither PM Holness nor Golden, the opposition leader, celebrated or cosy up to Vybz Kartel on his release. While each leader accepted the Privy Council’s decision and expressed confidence in the rule of law, both party leaders kept a respectable distance. It is doubtful that Mia Mottley, Keith Rowley, Dickon Mitchell or any other regional leader would have cuddled Vybz Kartel as Gonsalves did.
A Jamaican college colleague texted, “I heard you guys are entertaining Mr Kartel in your country. I would not do that if I were you. All the man brings is mass chaos. By the way, if allyo want, keep him.”
A citizen of our country also weighed in on Vybz Kartel’s visit: “You don’t know how much his presence here disturbs me. Even what he has done to his skin I find offensive to all black people.”
Queen Ifrica, the conscious Jamaican reggae lyricist, took to social media to admonish Vybz Kartel. She asked him to refrain from his old ways, warned him against reigniting tribal warfare in the Gaza section of Jamaica, and implored him to abstain from alcohol, cigarettes, and other harmful habits. Queen Ifrica asked Kartel to use his talent and skill for positive causes.
What explains our government’s decision? An arrogant Teflon view grounded in the fact that the ULP government has been in power for 23 consecutive years and an almost sadistic desire to capitalise on Vybz Kartel’s popularity. Of significance as well is ULP’s desire to project and uphold a gangster image. Only a public relations nightmare compelled Gonsalves to get Vybz Kartel to say that prison is hell.
If Vybz Kartel believes that the best medical care for his ailment can be had in SVG, more power to him. But the government’s high-profile embrace of Vybz Kartel and all that he represents is further proof, if we ever needed more, that the ULP administration has outlived its usefulness.
*Jomo Sanga Thomas is a lawyer, journalist, social commentator and a former senator and Speaker of the House of Assembly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
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There is an old adage that goes like this, “a downing man will grasp at a feather “This is a kin to the final days of the Ulp as we know it.
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I wonder why Vybz didn’t go to Cuba where there are so-called “better doctors”, even our PM goes there for treatment […]. Like Vybz must have get an exclusive because he can generate sympathy for the devil.
This man is unrepentant for his immoral behaviors captured, seen and heard in many places and forms of life. If he doesn’t change his ways, i do not see him living too long after his release. I hope he turns from his Wicked ways. As for the PM, “Birds of a feather flock together,” old people love to say. Moreover, “When Plantain want dead, it shoot”, The PM is a fearful man presently, the uncertainties of life troubleth him… I pray for you PM that you make it to another election, you need to Repent and do good for the People in the Land, The Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Boss has commanded this.
Yes I agree with you jomo but I don’t hear talking nothing about the homosexual party attend the other day with boys dressing like girls an modeling unstead u were in the middle of it sopporting it god hate that thing to jomo Thomas sir that is also baaaad vybes partna
Svg has enough self Manufactured, Garbage of is own, to be importing Excess.
SVG has Enough
Snoop Dog was accused for Murder in 1994. He was NBC’s guy at the Paris Olympics. He’s been affiliated with gangs. What’s the difference between Vybz Kartel and Snoop Dogg?Waiting for an explanation. Would we not welcome Snoop to our shores by the same logics?
He trick him into thinking he is a white man…bleach… because a black man ain’t stand a chance of getting such entertainment from dat man.
Great job cartel u d only creature to chick him he really think u ah white man.
Vines being accused of a crime and get a conviction are not the same thing. Snoop Dog was accused while Vzbz Karlel was convicted. The two scenarios are like opposite ends of the spectrum. Therefore, it is not unconscionable to hold Vibz Kartel accountable for a crime which was overturned by a an error in law.
All the preachers and those who call themselves Christians, what are your views on this matter? Calling you all out, we want to hear from you. It is written, WOE unto you who call good, evil and call evil, good. WOE unto you.