Professor Criticized After Suggesting That Vybz Kartel's Book "Voice Of The Jamaican Ghetto" Should Be Taught In Schools

Dr Carolyn Cooper's article 'Vybz Kartel's Book for CXC',published last month, has been criticized by some Jamaicans, who say the incarcerated deejay's book has no place in theclassroom.

Tameka Gordon, 32, a mother of two, told THE STAR with fervour, "I haven't read it, but I wouldn't want my children reading Kartel's crap!"

Anthony Byfield, 23, expressed, "Personally speaking, I haven't read the book to know its content to say whether it's school oriented, but knowing Kartel him probably talk about some negatives about the Government, so I don't think so."

Mark Stanley, 24, told THE STAR however, " I couldn't say because I haven't read it, and I don't know its content, but if it has positive messages and is something that is relevant to learning regardless of his character, then maybe it could be a part of it."

In Dr Cooper's article, published in The Gleaner, she said Kartel's book, which was released last year, "Gives a penetrating account of the deadly conditions endured by too many youths who are barely surviving on the margins of Jamaican society."

According to her, The Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto should be read in and out of school, it ought to be on the CXC social studies syllabus".

She argued, "It raises complex issues of social justice in an accessible way, this book will engage the attention of every student".

Unlike many others, Antoinette Shakespeare, 19, thinks otherwise.

"I think it should be incorporated in the syllabus because it encourages thought and a look at the other aspect of society that we often pretend doesn't exist," she said.