Reggae artiste Safira Mono believes that poor Jamaicans are trapped in a species of mental, and economic slavery. Many Jamaicans from the poor class find that decades later, still blocked from getting better-paying jobs, from putting their children in the best schools and the dream of buying homes, even in poor neighbourhoods, still remains out of their reach. The economic rules and the legal system were rigged against them.
“In many ways, we are still slaves, we exist in an oppressive economic system from the cradle to the grave, we have to deal with the mental slavery, the self-hate, the psychological slavery, the economic slavery that pushes us towards materialism, and the dream of big houses, instead of using the route of education to address our problems,” she said.
For blacks descended from slaves, the subject evokes feelings of shame and embarrassment associated with the degradations of slavery. The legacies of slavery still linger, and its effects have been shrouded in secrecy and stigma.
She launched a scathing attack on the alarming number of dancehall personalities and public figures who have undertaken breast enhancement surgery in recent months – a development that points to the mental and psychological slavery that affects the nation.
She labelled these public figures as “mindless puppets” who are carrying out the mandate of a society intent on creating a poor, frustrated, and intellectually bankrupt underclass.
“There are certain media puppets out there, intelligent women who ought to know better but because they have a media platform, they can act the fool. I don’t blame them for hating themselves and pretending as if they are happy, but I have a problem when they attempt to mislead the youths.They were taught to do so by an entrenched system of corruption which begins in school and church,” Safira Mono said.
She said the lure of celebrity and status is a weapon that creates a nation of “modern-day slaves”.
“These women like Yanique Curvy Diva and Ms. Kitty are seen as celebrities, and the negro youths are their biggest fans and they are my biggest concern. So instead of being who they are, they give the people an impossible dream, distracting them from the real issues that affect them. These puppets are trend followers and would do anything for the endorsements and the spotlight or to get likes at the expense of the children losing their innocence. They are creating a system of economic slavery, psychological slavery and spiritual slavery by dangling unrealistic body images and a false lifestyle for the youths,” she said.
Safira Mono also addressed the issue of butt enhancements.
“If God made you with the bottom you have, it is a product of your ancestry, a lot of our foreparents were raped or abused, and have European, Indian, Chinese blood in them so they just never born with that African bottom, but women are now getting their designer bottoms and doing all sorts of plastic and cosmetic surgery which can lead to all sorts of complications and diseases in the future. As a society, we need to warn the youths and stop glorifying these people,” she said.
Cosmetic surgery is a surgical expertise that aims at correcting or improving body imperfections.
With roots steeped in one of Jamaica’s most historic locations, deejay Safira Mono has always been culturally and socially aware. Those traits are evident in her songs.
The Rastafarian artiste has been recording since 2007. She has established a presence in her hometown as well as some of Jamaica’s toughest areas.
“That’s where some of my biggest fans are. The youths gravitate toward Safira Mono because they know I understand their challenges,” she said.
Safira Mono was born Shockera Pinnock in Spanish Town, an historic area that was once Jamaica’s capitol. She grew up listening to ‘conscious’ performers like trailblazing deejay Lady Ann, Sister Nancy, Lady G and Sister Carol.
She believes that the rash of recent cosmetic surgeries is a mere symptom of the self-hate that is an insidious remnant of the island’s colonial past.
“It is like telling The Almighty God, the Creator of all things that is was wrong when he created us so we correct God. Joan Rivers died under the knife and so did Kanye West’s mother to name a few public figures. This issue is a vexing one for the black race because it also shows lack of confidence in self – a condition which the black race is suffering from – although some are still unaware that they are suffering from self hate,” she said.
Safira Mono, who is known for the hit single,’ Monitor’, recently performed at the Marcus Garvey celebrations hosted by IRIE FM. She is a firebrand rastafarian fighting for righteousness in a decadent time.
“When we body shame, and make adjustments thinking it will make us feel better about ourselves…the truth is that the real problem lies within and it is still there, hiding. A lot of people becomes cosmetic addicts after undergoing the knife… they never stop making adjustments, putting the lives on the line. The youths grow up believing that as soon as they come of age and acquire some money, the next move is cosmetic surgery, the never-ending pursuit of big money in desolate places, and that can only lead to destruction,” she said.
Safira Mono will be releasing a new single and video called ‘Cruff Life’ on iTunes and other downloadable platforms next week.
