Culture is often described as the way of life of a people. Music is an art form, one of the performing arts. It is one of the most recognisable of the island's assets, and perhaps the greatest. We may not often be seen as a patriotic people but when it comes to our music we know what gets our attention, what gets us to wheel and jig.

Music is a way of life of the Jamaican people; it is a part of our psyche. Before we learned to play established instruments we used to knock sticks and pot covers together to produce a rhythm. It is just who we are - a musical people.

Against these underlying facts it is beyond comprehenson how any politician could fail to grasp the type of music that would get the approval of the populace. Equally too, it is unfathomable to even conceive the thought that any form of music can be foisted on us and we would just accept it without an outcry or a backlash. It is also surprising to learn of the stance taken by some media commentators who reported that they failed to see why so much importance is being placed on a simple song.

They were referring, of course, to what has become known as the Jamaica 50 song fiasco. This follows the report that the song, On A Mission, with a techno beat, was chosen over Find The Flag, which represents the true Jamaican beat, as the official song for the celebration of our 50th Independence anniversary.

The choosing of the song has brought Youth and Culture Minister, Lisa Hanna, under tremendous pressure, with some even calling for her resignation.

It was also reported that Find The Flag was selected by the previous Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government as the official song for the Jamaica 50 celebrations, and that it was cast aside by the in-coming People's National Party (PNP) government.

Efforts by the youth and culture minister to explain that On A Mission was selected for marketing purposes and not as the official Jamaica 50 song have been met with a lot of scepticism.

While there are unmistakably political overtones, the point must be made that when it comes to our music, political lines of demarcation often become blurred.

Let the people decide

In popular musical contests like Digicel Rising Stars and Magnum Kings and Queens of the Dancehall, a fair amount of the decision making is left to the general public. This some argued should have been the manner in which the selection of a song to celebrate Jamaica's 50th year of Independence was done.

Many have suggested that our musical history spanning the different genres, mento, ska, rock-steady, reggae and dancehall, should have been embodied in one song; others have opined that there should have been many songs with each representing a genre of our music.

Whatever went wrong we have got to get past it; the winners must be Jamaica and its people. We have a great musical heritage and it should not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. Some of our musicians are even referred to as icons and geniuses, and it is not too late to solicit their help on the way forward.

It is also important that the artistes and musicians involved with both songs should not be made to feel any less accomplished because of this disagreement. In fact, the youth and culture minister has stated that both songs would be amply utilised in this our jubilee year of Independence.

The Jamaica 50 song selection is just one of the many important cogs in the Independence celebrations machinery. It is time to put aside the rancour and get the show on the road.

Questions, comments, observation? You can email me at elgin1225@yahoo.co.uk