Last Thursday, under the headline 'Music unites Maverley', THE STAR sung a far different tune about the state of Maverley than it did only a few weeks ago.

Yesterday the picture of a peaceful community with music events happening all over was presented. Only a few weeks ago it was a case of a community divided over allegiance to Bounty Killer and the Alliance on one hand and Beenie Man on the other.

It just goes to show that music is a force that serves opposing purposes with equal efficiency. It can be used to divide and it can be used to unite; in this case, quite dramatically, it served the two opposing purposes in the same community in short order.

It is not very different from a gun. As one singer pointed out, "gun no have sense, a de man whe deh behin' it", meaning that the weapon can be used to suit any purpose of the person who is holding it. However, while the police are doing their level best to get the illegal guns off the streets, precious little is being done in the way of changing the mentality of those who hold them.

Speaking of guns, we should not ignore the fact that a central person implicated in the violence around the music was arrested. Hence the music alone is not enough. Removal of key figures is a part of the process of peace.

And when they are gone, let the music play on.