It is bottomless sorrow when the parents have to bury their children. It is worse when a child is lost in violent confrontation with others who believe that violence is the answer to all disputes. Nothing can match the awesome pain of a mother who loses her child in such circumstances. At the funeral service of a young man I saw a mother whose contorted face told a story of inestimable loss as from the organ flowed ribbons of sad sounds. For some it will be the opportunity for analysis, be it political or theological, which is their way of finding comfort. Some will be angry, fearful, and some will be unforgiving, sounding off to all who would listen, about the redeeming graces of their own child who they boast would never be involved in such things.
Waitikubuli is like a small town with a population of 70,000. Any one part is like a community within a community. The loss of any life especially young and in violent circumstances takes something from us all. The community loses big time. We are like islands in the stream, no one in between. Those who are unforgiving will learn that security is an illusion. Bob Marley put it in song, “When the rain falls it doh fall on one man housetop.” The vast majority of our people of all faiths and ambitions will live within the common humanity, but there will always be those driven by broken homes, discrimination and hatred who will strike out, in spectacularly violent ways.
The point is what can we do? So many almost automatically start to blame the media, but is the mainstream media failing to represent the social, economic and cultural challenges of our island? It must be admitted that the media is devoted to entertainment and manipulation of political information from all sides. Some journalists who act according to professional ethics and codes of conduct have a hard time and their reporting is more often nowadays termed as treasonous. Personal integrity and true and accurate reporting without diluting the facts draw angry protests from politicians and supporters and the word journalist becomes synonymous with ‘trouble-maker.’ My support of the work being done by investigative journalist Lennox Linton has caused me grief as some believe that the only true journalist is the one that supports the ruling regime.
But we all have to play a part in the solutions of the problems of the youth of our nation, and journalist must not feel themselves trapped in a spider web of self censorship out of fear of both the corporate and political bosses preventing them from going deep into the issues which face our relatively young nation. If DBS would use its wide outreach capability, not to compete with the private stations, but to use its voice strategically as a truly educational radio broadcaster, programming to and for the schools, then we can truly see the power of radio used for the education of young people in particular. This position I have held for quite some time and have advanced to those who could make it happen, but all to no avail despite the consolation remarks of “we see your point, but you know blah, blah.”
TV can play a major role in the thought processes of our youth. Our TV, shows the same soap operas, news, programs that you see in the USA, Latin America, other Caribbean islands and other parts of the world where US Cable is relayed.. There is no defining Dominican identity on our screens. Clearly we need TV with a sense of mission, and a vision of national interests. But the government channel which may be the only one with the capability of finding the necessary funds and indeed has the responsibility to do so, is now mainly used as the channel for government public relations and replays of ruling party political campaign rallies and shooting down of opponents.
Our TV is mainly urban centred and not many times do the cameras get to the farmers plantations, except if someone dies in strange circumstances or a government minister wants a photo opportunity. The media can help, but media workers must be trained to assist. The question of funding to provide the programs that may make a difference also arises. It may be that our national budget should now be aimed at our social problems in addition to our housekeeping problems of infrastructure and physical development.
As carnival jump-up days approach, parents begin to worry about whether their child will simply disappear without a trace as happened to the two youths in the Stock Farm area or get through this revelry without harm. This should not be as carnival is a time of fun for all and a time to forget political, class and creed differences and the rich should party with the poor. Yet carnival is also a time that allows free expression in hours of “sewoing” which encourages alcohol drinking, participation in illicit drug activity and low resistance levels influencing toxic youth behavior with very undesirable outcomes. I would urge that in the schools and through the media a huge campaign is launched to counter what may come upon us as a result. It is not good enough to sing lamentations on radio after the carnival for a week or two and then forget it until the next time. For this carnival let us do better than that.
Observer, I am laughing my tail off with your relentlessly attack on the writer.However, your attacked is well grounded in accurate information. Interestingly, it appears to me that Mr. Joseph is at a “repentant and reflective” stage and as such you need to allow him his time to redeem himself,because it is the “christian” thing to do. I am assuming you are a “christian”. This convoluted and misguided attempt to erase or dilute the past with well written words offends the common sense. Until we stand up and atone for our mistakes we as a country will never move forward. Be true to thy self and admit you have done wrong. We will understand that you are human and made mistakes and will assist in your atonement. Do not hide behind words which are just like Sunday summons, airy and full of wishful thinking with recommendations based in fear. Observer,EVEN AS I STAND WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE I HOPE THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PUT ALL UNDER THE AXE JUST AS YOU ARE DOING TO MR. JOSEPH. Nothing is worse than be hypocritical and insisting on showing one biased side.
I said to a child at a school where I worked the other day so many big things happening all over the world, kids are starving, don’t have parents, they are being killed in wars yet you are worried by some one who skiped the line but you know what I realized that is the childs reality.So while two boys missing in small Dominica has disapeard from the media. I realize the Canival season is the Medias business right now.A mother will be holding her head after the canival and the media will move on. News is indeed happening in La,plaine, Grandbay,and where ever but the problem we don’t have natural journalist with the instints and fearlessness because ever thing is political.
And little by little we will talk, talk, talk until we will confess all our sins cause we now realise ce passé nous ka passé a si laterre. Si ou pere pa pere. Something is burning and I think its the truth…. speak up clear yr conscience.
By the way DJ served a general manager of DBS Radio on two distinct occasions. I am looking forward to the record. It is calypso time and I wonder how many calypsonians care to remember the time when “the man with the master” plan was director of communications with responsibility for all of government’s media based programs on DBS Radio.It was during that time when Dominicans looked to a regional radio station – Radio Antilles” for any news out of Dominica featuring the opposition DFP or any other voice that was critical of the government. That is a historical fact that Mr. Joseph is very familiar with. Thirty years on witout a mea aculpa he is singing a different song and even chastising those who learned very well from him. When all is said and done, though, “a wrong is a wrong”, period.
Ah, Observer, doh hit him so!
Dno don’t be biased. Yes, it’s showing.
However, Mr. Joseph I have no choice but to question the motives of a journalist who only investigates and reports only against the ruling party. Start showing some impartiality in your journalistic investigating.
Everything in Life comes with good and bad it does not matter what so please don’t try to give carnival a bad rap. Any good suggestion on your part would be appreciated. At the very least please try to be fair of your assessment of every situation. Let your conscience be your guide.
Mr Joseph why not start with tangible actions. The blocks need you to talk and educate the young ones. What do you think. We all make lip service but we keep our mouth shut when we should as we always think that this doesn not concern us but as you rightly said when one violent death happens it takes from the community but actually the nation on a whole. We always think that itis some other person’s job and not ours. But I applaud you for your column and using the words “WE”.
The content and metaphors were both superb Dennis…
educational and enjoyable article.
DNO please do MR joseph and the readers a little justice please get a different picture from a different angle.
What difference does it make? read the article
Dennis very good job,you couldn’t have said it better
great article,i wonder how many of the leaders read your column,the radio does have the power.keep up the great writing Mr.Joseph.
Good piece my man.The glorification of the kind of activities in Dominica is deafening in word song and action.Carnival have a lot of RORO and this year it seems is the worst.
When a man like Ossie Lewis got butted out from the broadcast booth,wonder if is because ‘you’were on with Him.Now Hunter and scrunter in controversy and that just semi final.
I am going come for true calypso not for the Rum and de Party.TOO MUCH RUM in Dominica nobody seems to care about REALITY.That SAD SO SAD
I say abolish carnival, permanently, period.
lovely column,I share the same view with you sir that radio can be a powerful means of redirecting our youth.