Letters

Waste of valuable time

Fantan Mojah - File

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In last night's news, Tuesday April 26, 2005 it was reported that Fantan Mojah had been sentenced to 10 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. What horrible criminal act did Mr. Mojah commit? He dared to use an expletive or maybe several at some stage show or concert. When I heard of Mr. Mojah's sentencing, I had to wonder if the court's time would not have been better spent on something a little more important.

Charging someone for using certain words and then going through the whole process of a court hearing is just an utter waste of time and energy. Now there are those who would say that Mr. Mojah has a foul mouth. Maybe he does, but should that be the business of the police or the courts? Should the state punish people for having a foul mouth? And if so, what other 'offensive' actions should there be state punishment for?

Mr. Mojah and other entertainers are adults not children. They should be allowed to verbally express themselves as they see fit. Laws banning the use of certain words are an anachronism. I am of the firm belief that laws should exist to serve a compelling national interest, namely to protect the public from great harm. What is the compelling national interest behind dragging Fantan Mojah and other entertainers to court for 'forbidden words'? How does fining Mr. Mojah $1,000 protect the people of Jamaica from great harm?

The real problem is that those who support state punishment for using expletives are unable to distinguish between harm and discomfort. Killing someone causes harm to the nation; chipping a couple of 'clawts' merely makes some persons uncomfortable. Imagine if we could all have laws banning those things which make us uncomfortable. Some people do not like the use of excessive 'bad words' and I happen to be one of them.

There are those who do not like the kind of music being made in Jamaica and again I belong to this group. My not liking the use of certain words is not sufficient enough grounds for having a law banning it.

I am etc.,

KENYATTA POWELL

kenyatta.powell@uwimona.edu.jm

2D Maxfield Avenue

Kingston 13

Via Go-Jamaica