Tuesday, May 8 2007

THE EDITOR: What a bunch of hypocrites we all are — those of us who claim to be citizens and residents of Trinidad and Tobago. Danah/Deena and Akon were not the only individuals in Zen on the now infamous night in April 2007. The faces I saw in the videos of Zen that night, certainly did not reflect to me an audience that was appalled at what they saw. It was an audience that appeared to enjoy, if not relish the show. Cheering the “performers” on stage and seeking the best angle for their photos and video shots! If the “performers” were collecting royalties, they would be monetarily richer now. Who in the audience attempted to stop the show or attempted to “rescue” Danah. Those who stood idly by are just as guilty as those who did the “deed.” As for our society at large, when we have witnessed this same conduct at Carnival, in people of all ages, have we attempted to raise an outcry or put a stop to it? And Carnival is also televisied throughout the world.

What is the message that we are really trying to communicate now, to our children, the society at large and to the world that is looking on? Let us end the hypocrisy now. This is a call for us, not to point fingers at Johnny Soong, not to point fingers at Akon, not to point fingers at Danah/Deena, but to point fingers at ourselves and ask how could we have made a difference? And furthermore how can each of us as individuals make a difference to the moral tone of the society of Trinidad and Tobago, which is clearly deteriorating second by second, Akon or no Akon, Danah/Deena or no Danah/Deena!!

J JOSEPH

Diego Martin