“We requested a meeting with the minister and he accepted. We were honored and extended our appreciation that he took the time out to listen to our suggestions and initiatives. However, a year later, we are still waiting on a follow-up call,” Curly Lox (given name Patrick Gaynor) told the Jamaica Observer.
According to the entertainer, the meeting with Bunting took place at his Oxford Road headquarters in St Andrew and four other members of the minister’s team were also present. Curly Lox said the duo requested the meeting as they were concerned about an uptick in crime at the time.
“We placed our initiatives on the table … they (the Government) cannot deal with it alone, we are from that (inner-city) culture so we know what going on,” he said.
According to recent statistics, more than 800 persons have been murdered since the start of the year. This marks a 20 per cent spike over the corresponding period last year.
Curly Lox said reducing crime is not a quick-fix approach.
“The direct issue of crime dwells on whether criminals who gain from people’s ignorance are willing to put aside their role as puppet masters,” he said.
The dancehall artist said entertainers had a critical role to play in the process with the “promotion of positive music”.
He said a revamp of the current crime-fighting approach is needed in short order and all social strata of society should be involved.
“Get rid of the classism and unite so that we can bring back our country,” he said.
“We do not condone anything illegal, but them arrest a man who was making Clarks recently. Instead of just charging him, why not put his talent to use. He could lend his talent to the police force and make shoes for them,” he continued.
Curly Lox said broad-brushing inner-city people as criminals is a huge problem as it robs them of employment opportunities.
“A person from the ghetto may not necessarily be educated but he/she may be talented. We need the scholars, too, as they are educated and know about finances and other elements. So why not join forces. Give them a chance and employ them and you will see their true potential.
“Why do you think they fight dancehall? It’s because they didn’t create it, it was made in the inner city,” he said.
He is also urging political parties to unite as there are times when a great idea is shunned when it is not coming from those in power.
“Our leaders need to be realistic and listen, especially to the youth,” he said.
Patrick and Paul (Tu Lox) Gaynor are members of the dancehall duo Twin of Twins. They hail from the gritty community of Maxfield Avenue in Kingston. They have established themselves in the dancehall with their biting social commentaries, including their popular Stir It Up series.
Several efforts made to contact Minister Bunting for a comment were unsuccessful.
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