Capleton - Carlington Wilmot Photos

February's Artiste of the Month feature takes an unusual turn. This month, instead of featuring one artiste, we dedicate the month to some persons in entertainment who are now making 'black history'. The STAR will feature, over the coming weeks, persons who have a lot to say about why we should, or should not, celebrate Black History, and what it means to them.

We continue the feature with Capleton.

By Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Deejay Capleton smiles slightly as he considers if Black History Month is valid.

"We shoulden jus' get a month alone. We cyaan get jus' a mont' an' dem get 12. We need even seven mont," he said backstage at Tuesday night's "Get Up Stand Up" concert celebrating Bob Marley's 62nd birthday, held at the Ranny Williams Centre, Hope Road, St. Andrew.

However, despite the deficit there is still an opportunity, as Capleton said "It still give the people a chance to get back in dem blackness. We de people been brainwashed an de curriculum we get is European." He said that in the climate of a Black History Month, "The people get a chance to look in demself."

No adjustments

Naturally, the man who has long deejayed "if yu dis Marcus, den yu mus bite de dus', equal rights an' justice is what he taught us," does not have to adjust his lyrics for Black History Month. "We always a deejay 'bout blackness, self-esteem, self-reli-ance, humility, tolerance. The greates' ting is fi I an' I to eradicate de brainwash education. Know yusself. Don' stoop to any limitation an accep' de strippin' of de royalty," Capleton said.

As for the acceptance of Marcus Garvey's message, Capleton said "it is growing. It is getting there. We need to talk to the people on a daily basis, every chance we get. We have to get it embedded."

"European curriculum we get," Capleton emphasised. Hence he has constantly reaffirmed the legitimacy of a trinity outside the European concept, deejaying "Emmanuel liveth every time, Selassie I liveth every time, Marcus Garvey, him, liveth every time."

"Re-education do a lot," Capleton said. Regardless a who a yu teacher, yu haffi teach yusself. Yu cyaa trick yusself," he said.

But as for February, being a time of teaching, Capleton said Black History Month is a good time. "If dem no lissen 'bout dem blackness any odda time of the year, this time dem tune een."