Does Dancehall Music Affect The Society Negatively?

4 Pages 1084 Words

A Greek philosopher once said, "In argument, truth is born." Even though sometimes feelings and emotions come into play that confuse the issue at hand, usually an argument results in a new insight on the subject. Even if a person holds strong views that are unshaken by anything his adversary may say, he may nevertheless gain from the debate. It forces him to organize and analyze his views, leaving him with a clearer understanding of the subject than before. Further, his opponent's arguments help him better appreciate his views and their differences. Finally, the argument forces both to look inwards, at their character and value system.
For these reasons, I enjoy debating issues that are important to me and of which I hold strong views. One such issue receiving great national attention is the negative effect of Dancehall music on the society. While music and culture has always been important to the Jamaican community on a whole, and more specifically to the inner-city communities where the music is a major part of their socializing and recreational activity, the focus has been shifted from the point of origin of Dancehall music’s content to spotlight its destination, as well as cowardly intensify debates around it, knowing that not many scholars or professors are entrenched in this genre.
Since I attend a private Christian institution, in discussing this topic with my peers, I often find myself in the minority. Most of them support the view of Dancehall’s impact on society as negative, while I adhere to the views that dancehall is a key cultural matrix and social institution as well as an important alternative economy, especially for the poor, who are chronically unemployed or who want to avoid the rigors of minimum wage labour.
Complicating the issue are several emotional stigmas that are often attached to it, transforming the discussion from an objective one to one driven by passion. The foremost of these stigmas is the accusa...