Letters

Keep STING alive

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The STING promoters, if they follow through with their decision to scrap this very popular annual event, would be sending the wrong message to the reggae music industry and the public.

In short, the underlying message would be that the STING promoters have succumbed under the pressure because of the actions of a few negative forces in dancehall. Promoters, of STING or any other show of this nature, should never allow this to happen because the dancehall genre of reggae music is much bigger than any dancehall/reggae artiste.

The STING promoters should instead continue to stage this annual event but should cease from promoting or allowing clashes to take place. Such clashes, though a major drawing card, have caused numerous problems for STING over the years.

Patrons to such events must realize that although they are paying their hard earned money to be entertained, they also have a responsibility to behave properly. I would urge the STING promoters to keep the 'greatest one night reggae show on earth' alive. The cumulative positive effects that this show has had on reggae music over the past twenty years far outweighs the negative actions which have plagued it over the years. Keep STING alive!

I am etc,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

'Via Go-Jamaica'