Why, should Reggae Music address the environment? Well, to answer that question will only take two words: Hurricane Melissa.
Hurricane Melissa Attacked Jamaica. What Is The Reply Of Reggae Music?
Sometimes, the next move that you should make is so close, literally under your nose. The reason we miss it, is because, it so obvious, so close, that it seems invisible. As it hides from our point of view, in plain sight.
However, the truth is, if a foreign army invaded Jamaica and caused the damage Hurricane Melissa has, people would react differently.
There would be outrage. People would be vocal in denouncing this invasive and damaging entity. However, perhaps because Mother Nature seems to be involved, people seem to be quiet, despite the precarious situation Jamaica and the region is in.
The Enviroment Is Everybody’s Responsibility.
There was too much silence after Hurricane Maria struck. There has been too much silence post Hurricane Melissa. With the worse part of the equation being that global warming, means that Hurricanes in the region are likely to keep growing in strength.
It is one thing to pay lip service to morality in general. After all people have a right to choose what the meaning of right and wrong is, in relation to their lives. However, when it comes to the environment, being irresponsible, costs lives.
Moreover, natural disasters cost a lot of money and threaten the abilities of developing economies, to become developed. For these reasons, silence is both expensive and inappropriate.
As the popular saying goes, we only have one planet. The environment and taking care of it is the responsibility and the business of all of us.
Reggae Music Was Made For This.
Which is exactly what makes it the perfect target for Reggae Artists to aim at. Apart from Gospel Music, and to an extent Calypso, Reggae Music is probably the only genre where morality and doing the right thing is a part of its very its core identity.
Moreover, with the environment being relevant to everyone of the planet. Reggae Artists have the added advantage of addressing a topic that is undeniably relevant to every human being on earth.
Whereas other aspects of Reggae Music, e.g. faith, herbs, dreadlocks, can be waved off as relevant to primarily, rastas.
Furthermore, the obvious truth is that the environment is a global issue that needs a global solution. Bob Marley, is no longer physically with us. However, his legacy is an example of Reggae’s ability to address, global issues. Jamaican soil and the earth in general, is clearly under threat and yet most of humanity seems to be sleepwalking along as if the fate of the very planet, has already been secured.
Currently, there is an imbalance between the seriousness of the environmental problems facing humanity and humanity’s response to these problems.
What better use of the skills of Reggae Artists, than to raise awareness and encourage discussion, so as to help attempt, to save the planet? Whilst doing so, may seem altruistic, this is no charity work.
On the contrary, this is paid work, that Reggae Artists would be doing. This music would be released on all platforms, just like the rest of their artistic work.
There Should Be A Pro Environment Reggae Festival In Jamaica.
However, the really big idea would be for there to be a Reggae Festival in Jamaica. Where various Reggae Artists would perform all of their environmentally conscious songs. Raising awareness amongst the public locally in Jamaica and across the world through the power of technology, the media and social media.
Ideally, environmental organisations would be partners in this Reggae Festival. That would hopefully enable them to connect and work with people across different communities to help create lasting change.
Lastly, the partnership between the Festival organisers and the environmental organisations. Should have merch made that helps raise funds and awareness of the issue of the environment. These funds would then be reinvested in initiatives that benefit the environment. Which hopefully ensures that the issue of the environment becomes a talking point that eventually effects change.
The trend of stronger and stronger hurricanes in the Caribbean, is one that we all must wake up and address now. Before these hurricanes address us instead.
