I do not know much about the drug trade. The price of cocaine or any other type of illicit drugs is not known to me. The rules by which drug lords and drug mules abide are not information I am privy to. What I know is influenced by conversations and testimonies I have heard, and articles I have read.
Recently drug busts have been in the news. Cocaine has been discovered in other countries in shipments that left Guyana; cocaine has been found in food and other items to be shipped from Guyana; cocaine has even been tucked away in the most private places of women’s bodies. Some say that we are back to being a narco-state. Whether true or not, Guyana is engulfed in the darkness that continues to penetrate the world. I would say that we are at the peak of mankind’s dysfunction, but sadly I believe that worse is yet to come.
Earlier this week, I watched a music video called ‘Coke Container,’ which featured two of our local artistes, Drew and cKush. The video was sent by a friend who wanted to hear my thoughts about it. I was alarmed because I found the message disturbing. There are those who seem to have accepted the claims that Guyana is once again a narco-state and one can interpret the music video as being a celebration of that. The song was not just commentary on what is happening with the drug trade in our country, but it seemed to be glorifying the trade. The young men are not the first artistes to sing about illicit drugs as in a lot of popular modern music such as rap and hip-hop, such themes are common.
As creatives, we express ourselves through our art. Art should not be policed, but when art is interpreted as offensive, when it sends a message that can lead to the destruction of others, when it threatens the stability of our societies, we have a duty to raise our voices and express our thoughts. Some creatives might not believe that they have any social responsibility. Some might not have any desire to leave the world a better place. When we examine much of today’s popular music, it really is just for hype and entertainment and no message of substance is to be found.
Our society is fragile. We are immersed in divisive politics, racial division and moral depravity. Many of our people are lost and desperate because the wounds of their parents and grandparents are still open. The weeping wounds have contaminated the flow of positive energy. They have stunted the people and condemned many to believe that their possibilities are limited. People are tired of living in poverty. While a few seemed to have advanced and are advancing towards the good and greater life, many cannot see their time ever arriving.
Unfortunately, many young people are numbered with the desperate ones. Some are on a path of destruction. Gangsterism and thug life, organized crime and crimes out of circumstances are codes by which they live. Many parents have failed their children. Many parents have tried their best and given their children all they could, but society had the greater influence. The absentee parent is also a major factor in the road of destruction many of our children choose. The school system has failed many and many do not value education. Many have no role models, or their role models are models of the dysfunction.
What is dangerous about promoting music or any other form of art glorifying the drug trade in Guyana is the young people it can influence. It can ruin lives. Some may argue that we cannot blame artistes for people making poor choices, but the power of music is known worldwide. Music can influence us to make choices for healing and inspire us to change the world for the better, but it can also encourage us to engage in destructive behaviours when the melodies are addictive, and the lyrics captivate us.
It is known that the drug trade creates opportunities for one to acquire money very quickly. Around the world people have built empires through the illicit drug trade. Most of us might know someone who was poor one day and the next day they were thriving. We have whispered in our communities about who was getting their hands in the drug trade. However, those who acquire wealth through illegal measures are among the poorest of us because they are morally corrupt.
But anyone can be tempted; educated and uneducated, white and blue collar, the lure of the drug trade catches the ambitious and desperate and sells us dreams.
Our young people elevate musicians. ‘Coke Container’ could quickly become an anthem for some until the next big hit is released. What lasting impressions would it leave?
The lure of quick wealth is powerful. But the gateway to prison is often not considered as many often believe that they will be the ones to get away. The chance of death is often not considered or foreseen.
What is dangerous is that many of the young people falling to the influence and contemplating becoming a part of the drug trade, may only be used as the mules for lords who are often never caught. What we see most often in the news are stories of young people being caught. We know they are often not the drug kingpins. While the small-time drug trafficker is quickly sentenced, the longstanding big-time traffickers enjoy freedom. The young woman who was caught at Eugene F. Correia Ogle airport last month with the cocaine in her private parts was swiftly sentenced to four years in prison at just twenty-three years old.
Guyana being labeled a narco-state is nothing to be proud of. Having the record of the largest shipment worldwide leaving our shores is disgraceful. It is deplorable that we are making international news for cocaine shipments. And it is not okay to glorify or glamorise the drug trade, whether we do it through music or by flaunting the wealth acquired from it.
Too many young people may be influenced to believe it is a sure way out of poverty and distress. Some may succeed according to the shallow standards of what living means for some, but others will perish.
US rapper 50 Cent ‘Get Rich or Die Trying’ may be a motto for some. The lure to live for now is prevalent. The future is distant or nonexistent for many young people. And, unfortunately, when many become entangled in business such as the drug trade, their future is permanently erased.
