The main reason why soundmen are hired to play at Dancehall events is to entertain; not humiliate partygoers, spread gossip, share frequent sexual randevu “inna di car back” or request sexual favors from females over the microphone. A selected few of arrogant and egotistical soundmen are notorious for overstepping their boundaries by promoting behaviors that is not only unacceptable, but a direct attempt to undermine the pure essence of women. And if your face is no stranger to dancehall parties throughout New York, I’m pretty sure that you could think of the names of a few soundmen whose filthy mouths need to be rinsed-out with dish washing liquid. Well, since I am not in the business of putting people on blast, I will not list the names that immediately comes to mind even if you offer to buy me a spicy beef patty at Golden Crust restaurant on Utica or Jamaica Avenue. Sadly, in an effort to fulfill their perverted fantasies, openly asking female partygoers to expose their private body parts and encouraging males to touch them inappropriately have become disturbingly normal at dancehall parties. These types of behaviors are not only embracing to witness, but sheds light on the problematic issue of females being sexually abused, man handled and not to mention harassed at dancehall events in the name of entertainment.
Soundmen are equally as guilty as the guys who commit these violations, because it is usually they who motivate partygoers to take part in such activities. Predictably, many of you will argue that females at these parties allow themselves to be violated. Understandably true; however, it still doest explain how a simple dance with a male is transformed into the female having her private body parts exposed or forcibly pasted around on the dance floor by a group of immature men who lack discipline and self-respect. Are they merely having honest fun or the doing of perverts with absolutely no respect for women?. I must admit, to say that soundmen are entirely at fault for the actions of males at dancehall events would not be a factual statement. Because unless you are a puppet on a string, it is impossible to have absolute control over the actions of another person even if you claim that your actions were guided by divine powers.
The fact that it has become the norm at most dancehall events isn’t reason enough to make it acceptable. Females at these events have every right to dance with whomever and mingle with friends without the fear of being the subject of inappropriate actions. It is a common problem that is plaguing dancehall scene throughout New York and will continue along its shameful path if we continue turn a blind eye and pretend as if it is not degrading to women. The body language and facial expression of females that are victims of such violations is reason enough to conclude that most of them were in fact violated. And despite the fact that the atmosphere at dancehall events paints a false picture of fun and enjoyment. The flip side highlights a common problem that is often overlooked in the name of entertainment, but at the expense of the victim’s pride and dignity.
