No More Daggerin'!

No more daggerin'! That was the directive coming from the Broadcasting Commission last weekend - a directive that took immediate effect. The Commission has made it clear that any song that makes reference to the act of "daggering" (hard-core sex), or suggests such activity, is no longer to be aired via radio, televsion, or cable service. And I say a resounding "Amen" for the decision made. I'm not sure what prompted the Commission to take this step but it was long overdue.

Now, the issue of dancehall music and it's influence will forever remain a heated debate. But I firmly believe that the messages conveyed in most songs, especially the more modern dancehall hits, are vulgar and abrasive. Vybz Kartel's "Rampin Shop", one of the more recent controversial hits, featuring dancehall artist Spice, is proof of this fact. I'm glad it and other songs with expletives and explicit sexual content will be taken off the air. When children as young as four are singing the song from memory, how can anyone sit still? What kind of message are we sending when we expose such graphic material to the innocent? If this is considered acceptable, we might as well start handing out condoms in primary schools.

Again, I applaud the Broadcasting Commission for their stance. I do, however, wonder why it took so long for them to take such measures. Afterall, there have been other songs that contained explicit lyrics that made it across the airwaves (though edited) so, why just now? And what about soca music? The question was raised by others as well and I too have questions about this type of music. Yes, different words; but same message. Will soca also receive zero air play? What about carnival time when revellers fill the streets and the music (accompanied by the familiar gyrating moves) is played for all to hear? What then?