Black Immigrant Daily News

GLEANER: Despite strong public sentiment that dancehall music fuels criminal behaviour in Jamaica, an Anglican priest and human-rights advocate is insistent that proponents of that view are scapegoating the popular genre.

Father Sean Major-Campbell has described that perspective as misleading, arguing that blaming dancehall music for crime is a “course in obfuscation that leaves us with an anecdotal diagnosis of the problem”.

His views come against the background of an RJRGLEANER Group-commissioned poll showing that 41 per cent of respondents believe that dancehall music played a very big role in influencing criminal behaviour.

Thirty per cent of persons polled said dancehall had ‘somewhat’ of an impact; 11 per cent only a little; while 11 per cent said not at all.

Seven per cent of respondents were not sure.

Based on the results, the Don Anderson poll suggested that cumulatively, 82 per cent of all Jamaicans believe that there is a connection between dancehall music and the incidence of crime.

Fieldwork was done between July 16 and 26, during which 1,113 Jamaicans were interviewed. Anderson said that the dominant views were held primarily by older persons rather than younger ones aged 18 to 24.

Younger Jamaicans were less convinced that there was a direct connection.

Major-Campbell argues that Jamaica’s history of crime predates dancehall, noting that the country continues to be divided on its manifestations in society. He said that some people even use “religion to bless some forms of domestic violence”.

But Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, veteran owner of sound system Stone Love, is adamant that the contents of modern dancehall have contributed to crime.

He argued that some dancehall artistes who rose to stardom assumed the profile of crime bosses.

“They become dons in their own way, and we all know how dons operate,” Wee Pow said in a Gleaner interview.

However, dancehall promoter Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards argues that music, of itself, is not the driver of crime.

There are thousands of people who live in inner-city communities who listen to dancehall songs and are not violent, he noted.

“People who listen to Skillibeng’s Whap! Whap! in America and London, they are not going out there and doing any crime. Some of them don’t even know what that Whap! Whap! means. They just like that part of the song,” Edwards said.

A concerned Prime Minister Andrew Holness has specifically cited Whap! Whap! as a song that has a negative impact on society.

Edwards theorises that individuals are influenced by peer groups, family, and friends to carry out crime.

The dancehall promoter said that many artistes using offensive lyrical content are not lawless.

Elite sports personalities, lawyers, and other professionals who are fans of violence-laden songs listen in order to “energise themselves”, Edwards said, suggesting that the imagery was figurative.

Major-Campbell, who pastors Christ Church in Vineyard Town, St Andrew, said that crime is a far more complex problem.

“While we are readily repulsed by news of violent crimes, we have not been honest about our poor conflict resolution skills, an ugly history with police brutality, gang violence, and the lagging united political will to address social ills and a challenged justice system,” he said.

The Reverend Peter Garth, pastor of Hope Gospel Assembly, however, believes that music can be a turbo-charged motivator, emboldening listeners to transform metaphor into reality.

“Persons drink, persons become intoxicated, and if you have a desire to do certain things, it will be deepened when you stand up and listen to lyrics that are asking you to retaliate and use guns and all of that. It influences persons,” the clergyman said.

Garth called entertainer and convicted murder Adidja Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel, “a genius” but said people with his talent often had sanitised versions of expletive-riddled songs – proof, he said, that they could toe the line of decency.

Lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Donna Hope, took issue with how the poll question – ‘To what extent do you feel that dancehall music plays a role in influencing criminal behaviour?’ – was framed.

Hope argued that the question helped predetermine the answers.

“The outcome for this question that is already leading is going to be that more people are going to give a positive response and say ‘yes’ in various ways,” said Hope.

The academic said that three of the variables in the poll prompted respondents to say ‘yes’ to some extent.

“So ‘yes’ very much, ‘yes’ somewhat, ‘yes’ only a little, so already the question and the way the responses are structured are going to give you a positive response to this question,” Hope added.

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Antigua and Barbuda law enforcement operation on the ALFA NERO 

20th August 2022

The Minster of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable E.P. “Chet Greene” has issued the following statement.

An operation was conducted today at Falmouth Harbour led by officers of ONDCP and supported by a multi-agency task force comprising, the Police, the Defence Force and Customs.

The operation was to search the Super Yacht, Alfa Nero, which has been anchored in Falmouth Harbour since February this year.   The Yacht, and its Russian owner, ANDREY GURYEV, are on sanctions list issued by the US, the UK and the European Union.

In March of this year, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda advised all local companies not to transact any business with any persons, companies, or other entities, which appear on these sanctions’ lists.

Consequently, the Alfa Nero, was not provided with any fuel, except emergency supplies to keep it secure – both for the vessel’s sake, and for the safety of Falmouth Harbour as a whole.   Therefore, it could not leave Antigua and Barbuda.

On August 12, pursuant to a request under our Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), the Government of the United States sought the help of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, to conduct a search of the vessel and to interview its crew.

On 17th August, after the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecution had completed reviews of the MLAT request, and after further consultations with the US authorities, the DPP, Mr. Anthony Armstrong, made an application to the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda, which, on 18th August, issued an Order to board the Alfa Nero and to search and seize relevant material, as well as to question the crew.

DPP Armstrong met all the heads of the law enforcement agencies, prior to this morning’s operation, emphasizing that it was entirely under local control, although a request from the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to observe the operations, had been granted.

At the outset of the sanctions issued against named Russian persons, companies and property, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda announced that it joins the international community in ensuring that sanctions are respected in our jurisdiction.

Additionally, responding to requests from countries, such as the US, with which we have binding Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, is a legal obligation which must be upheld.

For the avoidance of any doubt, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda makes it clear that two other vessels, the Garcon and Halo, appeared on no sanctions list, and none of the US, European Union or the United Kingdom made any request under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties, regarding these two vessels.

Therefore, those vessels departed Antigua and Barbuda on July 22nd.

Further information, regarding the operation connected to Alfa Nero, will be released, as appropriate, and consistent with maintaining the confidentiality of the investigation.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The 6th edition of the annual Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc will officially be launched on Sunday at 11:00 hrs at the Muslim Youth Organisation Ground, located on Woolford Avenue.

The competition is being held in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.

The competition is expected to officially kick off on November 11, 2022 and conclude on November 13, 2022 and over one million dollars in prizes will be up for grab.

The competition will feature the Male Legends (O50), Male Masters (O40), Allstars category and the Female Allstars.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Anthony Phillips and Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr are expected to be in attendance at the launch.

The hosting of his tournament is a testament to a promise made by PM Phillips, who said last year that as long as he is holding the Prime Minister, the games will continue. He committed to supporting the tournament and leading from the front.

Some of Guyana’s top softball teams and teams from abroad are expected to compete in their respective categories. Those who will be keen on retaining their titles are Regal in the Legends Category, Fisherman masters in O-45 category and Ariel Allstars in the open category.

The sponsors onboard of this event are, Banks DIH Limited (Rainforest Water), Danny Persaud (YouTuber) At our Life ARD, Trophy Stall, P&P Insurance, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, PRO Signs, I&S Trading, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Atlantic Marine Supplies Inc, Tourism Guyana, Reliance Services, Crown Mining Supplies, Rudisa Motor (Guy) Inc, Free Lancer Advertiser Inc, Krsna & Balram Printery, Parsram Discount Store and Rajiv Ghandi University.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The Barbados Meteorological Services has issued an alert for a flash flood warning.

The warning is in effect for Western and Central Districts of the island.

This alert message is valid from 1:30pm and will be terminated at 6:00pm or sooner if conditions warrant.

A flash flood warning is issued when rapid flooding due to heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time (generally less than 6hours) is occurring or is imminent in the warning area.

Cause:Deep layered moisture, light winds and strong daytime heating are resulting in localized activity across some western and centraldistricts.

Rainfall:Maximum Rainfall Accumulations of 25.0 to 50.0 mm in moderate to heavy showers are expected this afternoon.

Advice:

Residents and visitors should note that the following impacts are imminent during this forecast period -Strong runoff from higher elevations.

Soil erosion is likely on bared or scarred land surfaces.

Debris such as small rocks, mud and treefoliage could end up on roads and property.

Traffic delays are likely.

Flooding at the foot of hillsides and coastal roads is possible.

For more information specific to your area, please visit:- https://www.barbadosweather.org/weatherBarResp.php or our social

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The prequel to Game of Thrones is set to forge its own storytelling path, with a new set of characters and a more diverse team behind the scenes.

House of the Dragon takes place two centuries before the events of the original series, which ended its hit eight-season run in May 2019.

The 10-episode prequel begins Sunday on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

The story focuses on House Targaryen, made famous in Game of Thrones by Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys and her fearsome dragons.

But don’t expect House of the Dragon to be a remake of Game of Thrones,’ cast member Steve Toussaint said.

“It’s been done and they did it exceedingly well,” said Toussaint, who plays the very rich Lord Corlys Velaryon.

“You know you’re in that world, but you’re seeing a different story, different characters, and different motivations.”

Among the new faces in the clan is Prince Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith. His villainous character is a lot more complex than he appears to be on first viewing, the actor said.

“I think the reason I’ve had fun is because he’s maybe not just a villain,” he said.

“I think there’s actually a huge amount of fragility and depth and inner madness there… it’s not black and white. It can go either way with Daemon at any point.”

Based on George RR Martin’s Fire and Blood, the drama was co-created by Martin and Ryan Condal, whose credits include the 2016-19 sci-fi drama Colony.

Condal is an executive producer and co-showrunner with director Miguel Sapochnik, who brings his experience on Game of Thrones to the prequel.

House of the Dragon, much like its predecessor, focuses on the familial succession with a female heir being overlooked.

But Sapochnik notes a key difference between the two series: The team making the prequel is more diverse, including a 50-50 split between male and female directors, including Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Geeta Vasant Patel and Greg Yaitanes.

There was a conscious push to be inclusive behind the scenes, Sapochnik says.

“We really tried to, as much as possible, hire as many female crew as we could, because we think that’s a really important shift that needs to be both recognised, acknowledged, acted upon, maybe give opportunities to people who don’t get opportunities,” he explained.

The team-making Dragon is equally as diverse, and — for the fantasy genre — boasts a relative bounty of women in the writers’ room.

The gender balance affects the show’s story and tone, according to some of its female cast members.

The series opens with an aristocratic council naming Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) as heir to the Iron Throne, bypassing his older cousin Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best).

But Viserys must have his own heir, with dreams of power held by Daemon, his younger brother, and Viserys’ daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy plays the adult version, Milly Alcock the youth).

“You definitely don’t feel like a device or a prop and you don’t feel like the sexy wench or the mother,” said Olivia Cooke, who plays the adult Alicent Hightower, long-time friend to Rhaenyra.

“You feel that you’ve got a fully-fledged character which is really nourishing to play.”

The ensemble cast also includes Emily Carey, Graham McTavish, Fabien Frankel, Rhys Ifans and Sonoya Mizuno.

Carey, who plays the younger Alicent, calls the inclusion of women in all aspects of production a step “in the right direction” for the fantasy genre.

Although virtually every female character faces misogyny, each is “still a fully-fledged, three-dimensional female character,” Carey said.

“They still have multiple other storylines and a whole life away from that misogynistic storyline. They’re not just put in the show to serve a purpose. And I think that’s what makes it so special.”

House of the Dragon screenwriter Charmaine DeGrat? said “it was important for George (RR Martin, a prequel executive producer) for it to be this way. Female-driven characters, female-driven shows and female-driven writers’ rooms just sort of elevates the story. That’s a wonderful way to expand the universe.”

By Brooke Lefferts and Mike Cidoni Lennox

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