The Editor, Sir:

"Jamaica's national cultural identity is built mainly on the lives of the so-called lower classes, and by extension the rural communities in the island." Stephen Vasciannie thus summarises Prof. Barry Chevannes analysis of Jamaican culture today in his column on February 26.

I wonder, however, whether this analysis needs to be extended in line with the work of Prof. Obika Gray, who writes of the parasitic Jamaican state not addressing the issue directly, Chevannes' implied (and commendable) celebration of this recognition of "lower class" culture surely includes recognition at the official levels of the state (in its more restricted meaning). Gray also might celebrate, I feel, but would only give two cheers, rather than three.

'Demeaned but Empowered'

Obika Gray, in his book Demeaned but Empowered describes how politicians USE (in its derogatory sense) the culture of the Jamaican masses (urban and rural) for their own advantage. But like Chevannes, he sees a positive side to this, in that the cultural property of the "lower classes" therefore becomes something of a bargaining point.

Be that as it may, and considering the social conditions of so many in our inner cities, I wonder whether this celebration as celebration, or as potential resistance, is actually having much effect. "Our" music (accepting Chevannes' basic point) has often been preyed upon parasitically by both local and foreign promoters. But beyond this more common-place form of exploitation, should we not be more aware of how politics in Jamaica also exploits the culture of the "lower classes", with little given in return, other than a plate of curry goat at election time?

I am, etc.,

PAUL WARD

pgward@cwjamaica.com

Kingston 7

Via Go-Jamaica