Majority Rules with Minority Rights

I was quite stunned today when I saw that a local PR veteran was asking for the demolition of a national park so that he could squeeze 2000-odd additional attendees to entertainment events at the venue.

While I agree with the concerns also of Independent MP, Hamilton Lashley, that the ruins could very well tumble should Barbados experience another earth tremor I can't help but wonder what could be the motivation behind his supporting Al Gilkes in his call for pushing down the ruins at Farley Hill to make more room for party goers.

A few years ago when Reggae on the Hill was launched with Mr. Gilkes and company, it was extremely well attended. This was followed by Soca Picnic on the Hill. I know for a fact that Barbados Gospelfest was the first festival to bless Farley Hill, followed closely by the Jazz Festival, clearly proving that the venue is truly suited to entertainment.

However, if we are going to destroy rather than preserve one of the island's most treasured heritage tourism spots to make room for 2000 more people to congregate and emit billows of marijuana smoke all in the name of entertainment, it would be a sure sign that this nation called Barbados has given license to the yet underground culture that surrounds events such as Reggae on the Hill.

I've already sent out my SOS to the media via a letter to the editor regarding the way our young men are literally growing old swiftly by having a joint and a Guinness for breakfast; sporting black, cracked, bare feet; swearing and toting weapons, while under the delusion of righteous pursuit through their ability to memorize pro-Rastafarian chants to seductive drum patterns.

The fact that promoters continue made such capital gains at the expense of these zombie-like youth who are supposed to be the true heritage of our nation makes my stomach churn but alas I might be the minority.

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