Fanatical Delusions

For two days this week local papers have run stories in relation to Buju Banton's Cocaine charges, interesting developments in his case, and his stalled trial that continues to be delayed as evidence against him continues to mount.

Surprisingly the reaction of his supporters has been to hurl venom at the anonymous "Babylon System" for ensnaring the "righteous messenger" and more specifically to incite a war against the Gay community for snaring its long-time rival through a supposed conspiracy of entrapment, collusion, and corruption of the US justice system.

This reaction is nothing short of absurd if one is to examine the facts as presented by the prosecution with a critical mind but it is not my place to decide on Buju's innocence or guilt. That will soon be decided before a court of law. His fans should know that there are no powerful "Gay-liens" in the sky wielding incredible influence on those below, and neither is there a "Gay-luminati", or secret enclave of powerful homosexuals that is changing the course of history. All there is are people fighting to be left alone, as paradoxical as it may sound.

The principle of Occam's Razor is typically expressed as "the simplest explanation is usually the best one". This concept is very appropriate and applicable to this Buju Banton quagmire as it is far-fetched to believe that he is the victim of some grand conspiracy executed by his enemies and not simply the victim of his own greed and stupidity just like the countless other (less famous) Jamaicans facing serious jail time for drug charges all over the world.

This same nonsensical fanaticism which takes its subscribers on intellectual flights of fancy to never-never land was seen with the fervent support of Jah Cure while he was incarcerated (for the record he has never declared his innocence in the rape incident he was convicted of) and more recently Deejay Bounty Killer whose misogyny has now apparently peaked with case after case of alleged spousal abuse being brought before the courts; more recently with one young woman turning up at the Constant Spring Police Station bloody and bruised after allegedly being beaten with a hammer by the Deejay!

Since everyone is so righteous with a functioning moral compass, where are the calls for a boycott of their music or for them to be banned from concerts?

I recall when Chris Brown was booked to perform at Reggae Sumfest 2010 there were calls for his removal from the show on the grounds that his famous domestic abuse scandal with former partner Rihanna placed a dark cloud over his head and his appearance would send the wrong message to those for whom he is a role model. Basically the sentiment was "those are not the types of persons we want here on this fair isle". Apparently we only support home-grown terrorists.

Redemption, as defined in the Jamaican context, is a concept that continues to elude me. Our moral selectivity is both puzzling and problematic. Unless we can take a critical look at ourselves as a people and examine these idiosyncratic liberties we take with morality, we will continue to be seen as hypocrites struggling to progress while hindered in the bog of lies, both to self and to nation.

I am sincerely,

Brian-Paul N. Welsh

brianpaul.welsh@gmail.com

This is a letter I sent off to the Jamaica Gleaner and the Jamaica Observer just now....let's see if it will be published.

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