Dear Editor,
I’m not in the least, in any way making a claim to being self-righteous, let’s be clear on that – settled? Good! For a long time now I have been puzzled, couldn’t understand why with the onslaught of a wave of bawdy advertisements being televised day in day out it was not attracting the attention from people and organisations who hold themselves to be the bastions of morality. How could a daily diet bordering on vulgarity, bombarding society non-stop have failed to attract those sacred folks. But as is said better late than never, thus I commend and applaud Ms. Valarie Patterson and others in taking the initiative with their bold and forthright stand and being very outspoken in the September 29th Kaieteur News where they said they were concerned about lewd advertisements on NCN Linden Branch –TV and the playing of songs of equally vulgar contents on 104.3 radio. And let me say in passing that the sarcasm of the host on the 104.3 afternoon programme didn’t escape my attention with his suggestive Sparrow selection “Saltfish”.
Anyway it’s about time that those foul repulsive ads be reined in – that some semblance of decency and good judgement be given space, for no more is the debauchery timorous but rather forceful and brazen. I just have to endorse Valarie’s and others’ concern, was glad to read that they felt morally bound to address the issues and love their resolute stand – “we are no longer going to sit back and watch the vulgarity.” But NCN does have a policy, shouldn’t undesirable content be proscribed? Yes it can, but that is the exact type of message-the wild intemperate temptation they desire to sell their show, a sample of what they want their patrons to see they will be treated to.
So far one of the best things 104.3 has been able to do was win over almost all Linden’s 98.1FM fans. One sure gets the impression that it is a “young people station” personally I seldom tune in to it except for Sunday nights when Mr. Winston “Zar” Caesar is hosting his programme “In retrospect”- strictly old sounds, which is wonderfully done and from my cursory man-in-the-street count it is quickly becoming 104.3’s favourite show for many elderly, grown-up and not so young who can’t wait for Sunday night to come around. That is certainly one area where 104.3 has scored big, I hope that sooner than later there will be more such programmes recording high scores and I’m confident it can happen, the ideas and expertise are floating around and about. With a bit more profound objective pursuing it can become much more community/Region friendly and accommodating in various aspects – simply juxtapose what is against the opinion of the listening public, both young and old, that’s a good gauge that works wonders.
Now I know lots of folks, especially the young ones who would repeat ad nauseam that we (Guyanese) are backward, stuck in time, and in a number of ways yes, one has to agree.
The trend of this rapidly moving world with finger-tip technology demands that we get in line, yet there are things that we ought not to follow blindly for the sake of keeping within the thick of things -counted. Wisdom dictates that we take the good from which ever society and the bad we turn a blind eye to!
We must resolve to move forward in a positive way, it is somewhat historical that development comes with a package containing undesirables, like the thorns among the roses, can’t have one without the other, but we can still endeavour to pick our pick, there are some things that are definitely negative, destructive, a trend yet some see it as advancement. H.I.V is here with us as it is the world over, do we boast of being part and parcel of a scourge? Hell no! Wanton sexual indulgence and cohabitating is a recipe for contracting it, thus we should try much as possible not to promote the things that border on and are a conduit by which the spread of it is enhanced. There is another popular saying “This is young people time”. For me it is time this loose expression be put in perspective, without question the young will supersede the old, it’s the course of nature and society has always been structured along that path, where the young are groomed by their elders until such time, they are mature, competent and responsible, then their time would have come, the manifestation will be clear.
Why then are we standing things upside down, abdicating responsibility, allowing young immature, impulsive and questionable minds to run society amok, the dog being wagged by its tail? Do we call such scenario advancement, changing times yes, progressive? Talk to me! I agree it’s a whole societal break down, a bit more complicated but still, they should not be allowed to debase and wreck what little good is around before they take full control, we owe it to ourselves as adults to stop the fall.
Editor I’m going to make bold to say that hardly anywhere in Linden-probably except for places of worship, and even that I’ll take with a pinch of salt-where young people are gathered you can count on hearing a healthy conversation period. Every conversation is loaded-over loaded with stinking foul expressions and they do so without batting a wink, care not a damn who is around, it all comes so naturally, and I’m not here including mini-bus and taxi drivers; they are a special breed to which none can be compared. It is a kind of insanity, the whole thing looks so demonic, serious!
And the nasty demeaning things portraying young women are loved and cherished by the very young women who indulged in them, these women don’t respect dignity, “deh bun it” fire! It’s disgusting, revolting, nauseating to see and hear young women, school girls in action, they don’t give a heck! Indeed the trend of decadence is far gone, morals all gone “trigger loose”! Nothing, nothing is held taboo. Editor, it bothers me that the now popular show “Uncensored” was allowed to be staged at the MSC ground using a mega sound system where all and sundry within a wide radius of the MacKenzie Sports Club could have sat in their homes and hear. Now that kind of show ought to be kept enclosed, exclusively for adults who so desire, this show and its language is full blown, way overboard, no gloves on.
And just next door overlooking the MSC is the Police Station where the police take up their position on the platform balcony and enjoy the show. And again not a single, solitary word of objection from any top functionary of this Town, not even a religious leader! Thus I think the watch word should be “Rekindling Morals”, indeed, we are running on Quick Sand.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe