Dear Editor,
It is a crying shame that at the recent launch of Sting I had to educate the crowd about a Jamaican who has represented our nation on the highest level throughout the world in boxing. Nicholas "Axe Man" Walters is a storied fighter, having captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) Featherweight title in 2009, the vacant WBA World (Regular) Featherweight title on December 8, 2012, and went on to defeat Nonito Donaire on October 18, 2014, by technical knockout, to capture the WBA World (Super) Featherweight Championship. The Axe Man has a professional record of 25 bouts and 25 victories, with 21 knockouts, yet most Jamaicans would not, as was the case at the Sting launch, recognise him in a crowd.
This unfortunate occurrence reminded me of the long-standing battle of getting Jamaicans to support local enterprises, culture and products. The issue of a lack of support does not begin or end with Nicholas Walters. In fact, the local entertainment and cultural industries have long suffered from this lack of local support. It is particularly sad as these are the main tourist attractions within the Jamaican space and are huge contributors to the country's GDP.
If these cultural and entertainment products have such a massive impact on the economy, why are citizens not doing more to preserve and further develop these institutions and entities? I am urging Jamaicans to support the call from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment for the establishment of entertainment zones -- areas specifically designed to house the staging of festivals, shows and other entertainment events. This should be looked at in tandem with unified activism for changes to the Noise Abatement Act to allow shows, parties, and other ventures to be held without hassle and worry of being shut down after much investment has been made in the product.
We are a creative people. When you look at the world and the varied forms of art and entertainment, much of it is derived from Jamaican culture. Clive Campbell, popularly known as DJ Kool Herc is a Jamaican who migrated to the US and took dancehall music with him, which was heard and then adapted into hip hop in the 1970s. Decades later, electronic dance music (EDM), which has now taken the world by storm, is a derived product of reggae. Now, more and more artistes are sampling and using elements of our music culture to enhance their own songs. Why is it then that we can praise Kanye West and buy his album Yeezus, which features Assassin, Beenie Man, Capleton, and Sizzla -- whether with vocals or through sampling -- yet we find it so difficult to support our local talent?
Our people need to realise the power of our culture and the importance of preserving it. The need for a proper performance arts or cultural centre is more than ever at the forefront of necessity. More and more young people are venturing into the performing arts and cultural art forms, even fashion designing, and Jamaicans must realise the potential of our talented youth before foreigners do and influence them to migrate.
Today, more than ever, there is also a need for more support of the major shows which are held in Jamaica. Shows such as Reggae Sumfest, Sting and Rebel Salute are cultural products which have positioned Jamaica as a leading entertainment tourism destination. We must support these entities and encourage their growth. In fact, we need more! I would love to see a major show at least once per month, so our culture, our talent, our very fabric that continues to build this nation is showcased to the world.
Howard McIntosh
Strategic Advisor, Supreme Promotions
Director, MSE Group
hmcintosh@mselogic.com
Support for our own
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It is a crying shame that at the recent launch of Sting I had to educate the crowd about a Jamaican who has represented our nation on the highest level throughout the world in boxing. Nicholas "Axe Man" Walters is a storied fighter, having captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) Featherweight title in 2009, the vacant WBA World (Regular) Featherweight title on December 8, 2012, and went on to defeat Nonito Donaire on October 18, 2014, by technical knockout, to capture the WBA World (Super) Featherweight Championship. The Axe Man has a professional record of 25 bouts and 25 victories, with 21 knockouts, yet most Jamaicans would not, as was the case at the Sting launch, recognise him in a crowd.
This unfortunate occurrence reminded me of the long-standing battle of getting Jamaicans to support local enterprises, culture and products. The issue of a lack of support does not begin or end with Nicholas Walters. In fact, the local entertainment and cultural industries have long suffered from this lack of local support. It is particularly sad as these are the main tourist attractions within the Jamaican space and are huge contributors to the country's GDP.
If these cultural and entertainment products have such a massive impact on the economy, why are citizens not doing more to preserve and further develop these institutions and entities? I am urging Jamaicans to support the call from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment for the establishment of entertainment zones -- areas specifically designed to house the staging of festivals, shows and other entertainment events. This should be looked at in tandem with unified activism for changes to the Noise Abatement Act to allow shows, parties, and other ventures to be held without hassle and worry of being shut down after much investment has been made in the product.
We are a creative people. When you look at the world and the varied forms of art and entertainment, much of it is derived from Jamaican culture. Clive Campbell, popularly known as DJ Kool Herc is a Jamaican who migrated to the US and took dancehall music with him, which was heard and then adapted into hip hop in the 1970s. Decades later, electronic dance music (EDM), which has now taken the world by storm, is a derived product of reggae. Now, more and more artistes are sampling and using elements of our music culture to enhance their own songs. Why is it then that we can praise Kanye West and buy his album Yeezus, which features Assassin, Beenie Man, Capleton, and Sizzla -- whether with vocals or through sampling -- yet we find it so difficult to support our local talent?
Our people need to realise the power of our culture and the importance of preserving it. The need for a proper performance arts or cultural centre is more than ever at the forefront of necessity. More and more young people are venturing into the performing arts and cultural art forms, even fashion designing, and Jamaicans must realise the potential of our talented youth before foreigners do and influence them to migrate.
Today, more than ever, there is also a need for more support of the major shows which are held in Jamaica. Shows such as Reggae Sumfest, Sting and Rebel Salute are cultural products which have positioned Jamaica as a leading entertainment tourism destination. We must support these entities and encourage their growth. In fact, we need more! I would love to see a major show at least once per month, so our culture, our talent, our very fabric that continues to build this nation is showcased to the world.
Howard McIntosh
Strategic Advisor, Supreme Promotions
Director, MSE Group
hmcintosh@mselogic.com
Support for our own
-->