One of the good things about this I feel is that the belief that the gay community was responsible for Mr. Mark Myrie's woes have died down significantly but it is surprising to see the excuses being concocted by media folks and some dancehall artists who have now suddenly appeared from the woodwork to cry for "Justice"
Where were they before now and one wonders if they are not jut using this as a photo opportunity to kick start their fledgling careers and we haven't heard of some of the names being banded about as being active supporters in such a long time.
There was a small protest in Half Way Tree on Saturday September 25th and yesterday as well with a sense of relief when the news came of the hung jury. The participants had dutch pot covers and a large hand painted sign simply worded "Free Buju" small debates and loud discussions could be heard at almost every point at the city centre with folks arguing for and against Buju's actions and the possible outcomes of the case, the nation is transfixed now.
Some questions that still remain are:
- Why would a rasta be involved in dealings with the "white lady" (cocaine)?
- How did this informant ended up beside Buju Banton on the same flight, is it a coincidence?
- Will the two co-defendants now serving time be called to testify against Buju Banton in the re-trial as that may allow them to get deals and may even walk free after doing so ?
- Is justice or having a trial at least to unearth the truth?
- Is justice more about having the best legal defense to concoct or help the accused no matter how guilty they are to worm their way from the allegations?
- What is going to happen to other young would be entertainers watching this?
- What are the messages being sent in this matter? then we say we want morals as a nation
- How hypocritical can one get with this?
- How is he financing all of this?
- Will David Markus, his attorney be around for the re-trial judging from his high price tag?
- Is the pre-release of the new music set being used to capitalize on the collective sympathy from the public to offset legal costs?
- Will he ever recover to re-commence touring and performing again especially in the United States?
- How will the gay community internationally react to him after all this has subsided?
Despite the strong evidence of the tape of Mr. Myrie tasting the "white lady" and the expressed disappointment in certain circles including parts of the Rastafarian community persons are still calling for him to walk free even after engaging in dealing with a substance that is known to be dangerous to users, we are to believe that he was just "running off his mouth" I thought Rasta man supposed to be contrite and thinking on their feet given the tenets of the faith.
I am disappointed in him otherwise, you cannot be a Rasta and be involved in drugs then preach ital livity and cleanliness then here you are facing this and to think Jamaicans are so blind we are not looking at that part of it. Lest we forget when Mr. Myrie first made his sojourn into Rastafari there were some in various quarters who were skeptical of his new found faith and wondered of there were ulterior motives, some have gone as far to say he wanted to become the next Bob Marley and given his pronouncements about Marley some time ago I was surprised to see Stephen Marley was called as a character witness.
Remember this:
Buju Says Bob Marley Is Not The Greatest Jamaican Musician.............
at the launch of his ‘Rasta Got Soul‘album, Buju Banton reportedly said
“You know they say that the greatest musician in Jamaica is Bob Marley. I don’t believe that, because we have greater musicians to come.
Bob was the most promoted, and well promoted and we have to appreciate that because its our culture but don’t kill our culture with one living one. Enough is Enough.”
Buju’s comments reportedly received claps from the crowd
The original Jamaica Observer article carrying the complete happenings has been removed interestingly.
So one just never knows why things are done the way they are done in the entertainment industry but we will watch none the less and see how this pans out.
I am also heartened that the gay community on a whole decided to keep quiet and let it all hang out, no protests, no fanfare, no commentary as far as murder music was concerned.
Peace and tolerance.
H
