Condemning ‘Face Reality’

THE EDITOR: I wish to categorically condemn the calypso “Face Reality.” I also call on the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and the Minister of National Security to state what course of action they intend to take to deal with this song. It is even more incumbent on the Prime Minister to take immediate and drastic action, given that Cro Cro is a known PNM supporter who has performed on several PNM platforms and has been openly endorsed as one of the poet laureates of that political party. In his calypso “Face Reality,” Cro Cro incites and encourages the kidnapping of politicians and businessmen. This calypso, in effect, sends a message of support to kidnappers, bandits and terrorists. Through his calypso, Cro Cro has now become the official cheerleader of the kidnappers and should be held responsible for any future kidnappings.

I believe that I am joined by all right thinking citizens in condemning this calypso as reprehensible and against the grain of anything civilised. Given the current crisis facing the nation as a result of a kidnapping spree it is irresponsible and reckless and  to call for persons and their children to be kidnapped. It must be remembered that in pre Nazi Germany, there were many artists, poets and playwrights who stirred up racial hatred against the Jews of Europe. That hatred manifested itself in the Holocaust of 1939 to 1945 and the death of six million Jews. In June of 2002, international statesman, Nelson Mandela condemned the controversial song “Amandiya,” by South African artist Mbongeni Ngema, which sought to stir up racial hatred towards South Africa’s Indian community. Prime Minister Patrick Manning should take heed of these two instances in world history and  follow the example of Nelson Mandela and not that of Adolf Hitler.

MARTIN MAHARAJ
A citizen of the Republic