When I first saw the tweet about the singer-songwriter it led me down a rabbit hole. I was hoping against hope that it was not accurate, but the account that shared such information was always solid when it came to instances around male misbehaviour. My hope was not because I held any brief for the former calypso and soca king. Nay, but because I had always assumed that despite many, many instances of the opposite that persons with plenty to lose would take precautions from allowing their predilections, kinks and insatiable appetites to consume them. Especially when there was money to be lost. Because let’s face it, for many of us we often jeopardize everything except our wallet. That is the line we often use to say no mas.
The backlash was quick and swift with the denunciation of Dezral’s behaviour and the subsequent apology posted on his instagram. Now as neither a woman nor a victim of his, I don’t have the power to state whether his apology met the level of his crimes. But it was interesting to see the social media divide that existed on Twitter and Facebook. The crowd on the former was adamant that the crass actions of the former monarch indicated a depravity that existed within him and that true contrition would take months if not years to prove. That he had lost face not only as a person but as a performer and that he needed not only to step down from his performances but also seek professional help.
Whereas on the latter app there seemed to be the usual conservative values that Facebook is increasingly known for. Many used examples of previous violators to argue against the public backlash as well as argue that the bum bum wall and many other fetes will display the same images that Mr. Long is accused of exposing. A few have even gone as far as claiming that it was either a marketing ploy or potentially the gentleman was being scapegoated by a society that consumes pornography and other illicit vices. Some have even gone as far to evoke the Bible as to ‘he who is without sin’ and of course the power of forgiveness. Now as a society of believers that is undoubtedly up for consideration but for far too often persons are forgiven and show barely a sign of contrition. There appears to be very little sympathy for the ladies whose consent was abused by those who strove to support him.
And as some have indicated his crimes whilst immoral and perverted may not have actually contravened the laws of the island so calls to bar him from competition may have gone too far as retribution. And yes, whilst many of us have engaged in kinks and vices and other colourful explorations they for the most part are consensual. Moreover, we may consider that the CMMC may have feared legal action being taken against it if they barred or sought to take action for which they may have had little to no legal backing for their action. Despite that, we need to consider that immoral acts may not necessarily be illegal and that morals clauses, whether written or not, may apply to persons who represent the country.
Ironically his two presentations were contrasting. His power soca performance was received with both animi, an alleged bottle was thrown, and a wall of indifference as many refused to follow crowd instructions during his performance. Perhaps an onstage apology would have been received better or allowing Jardel to perform on him would have behoved him better. Whereas his calypso presentation in much friendlier confines was received with cheers and shouts of support by many.
In the end the future of the artist may be the cautionary tale that informs other creatives or it may be the case of someone who despite their misdeeds suffered not a whit for them.