Artists want to know where is Music Ambassador, Shyne Barrow
On Friday, a few artists and DJs held a protest in Belize City because they say they need more support from government, and specifically from the Ministry of Culture. They also had a couple demands – the removal of Shyne Barrow as Music Ambassador and the removal of Diane Haylock, President of NICH. We didn’t manage to get a response from Shyne, since he’s all the way in Israel and has been since he was appointed ambassador four years ago, in April 2010. Incidentally, one of Shyne’s responsibilities as Musical Goodwill Ambassador is to head the music program at NICH, and we did get a comment from NICH President, Diane Haylock…on the protest and on the absent ambassador.
Diane Haylock, President of NICH
“What I would say to our artists; if they want to have a discussion with us at NICH about issues of concern, the door is opened and you can come and sit with us and have a constructive dialogue.”
Reporter
Shyne Barrow
“They are also asking for Shyne to step down or for Shyne to be removed as musical ambassador.”
Diane Haylock
“Well I didn’t choose to place Shyne as the musical ambassador and if they have that concern then they will have to speak with the, I think, actually the Ministry of Culture that put him there. You see my concern is that if people have issues, then you come to the table and you sit down and you dialogue right; you don’t just protest for protest sake. So if there are real issues that people have, and I don’t doubt that they have real issues, then I would say come to the table, present constructive arguments as to why something should happen.”
Reporter
“As president of NICH, you are deeply involved in cultural activities, musical activities, across the country—you have been for many years. I mean but do you have any sort of opinion with Shyne being the musical ambassador of Belize? Do you believe that he is carrying out his responsibility as the Musical Goodwill Ambassador?”
Diane Haylock
Diane Haylock
“I think that we haven’t had much of a chance to see Shyne for some time. He made a contribution to the music in schools program; he gave a donation….i think it was sometime last year. And he also gave a donation to two of the out-of-school programs and I think that one has to commend him for that. But in truth and in fact, it may not be all that is possible with that kind of position and I think that what he would have to do is to look at, sit down and talk with the people in the arts and come up with a strategy or program that he would then try to get implemented because as it is right now, there isn’t a structured approach to dealing with the problem.”
Jamal ‘Shyne’ Barrow, also known as Moses Michael Levi or Moshe Levi Ben-David, is the son of Prime Minister Dean Barrow.
where is shyne? He works at the Government of Barrow.
up Ali’s shoot, where the sun don’t shine.
In the big house of nepotism.
Give the guy some oil rights in Toledo, he deserves it for his great musical work.
Diane, you sound just like the rest of the other jack…es from your government Actually, what are you doing or have done to develop arts in Belize? How can one appoint someone like Shyne to be musical ambassador for Belize when he grew up in the streets of New York, had no love for nor ever visited Belize and had absolutely no relationship with his father. All of a sudden when he got that jail time and was deported, he was living it up at Princess hotel on tax payers’ expense and that’s exactly how he’s now living in Israel.
In developed countries, with strong democratic systems, there are protocols in place for nominating and appointing Ambassadors. There is a Committee tasked with reviewing the nomination and the Senate (or equivalent Legislative body) must approve the nomination before the candidate can be appointment. All those who think this is how things are done in Belize, please raise your hands and say aye.
Given the title Music Ambassador of Belize was just a part of the game, so that he could up and leave Belize after deportation. Diplomatic immunity. He really do not have any Love for Belize.
I know of people loosing love ones in the states and could not attend the funeral because they were deported and could not get a visa, people who need medical attention and cant leave because they were deported.
Is his deportation different from other deportees??????
Absolutely right Timber, I do not know when our Belizean people will stand up and say we are tired of all the bull….it in our country. Nominating shine for that position does not make any sense at all. I cannot understand as to why Taiwan keep on donating money to Belize. I want to know what Barrow use the money for? When I go visit my country I do not see no changes in the town where I live. My Belizean people wake up and smell the coffee you all stop take the bullshit from your Prime Minister.
well said Timber. I was equally concerned over the fact that they had a gran parade when this ex con cam to Belize. He was paraded in front or our HS students as a symbol of what? “if i go to jail and gt deported back to belize i will be an ambassador” type of vibe. This Barrow administration has absolutely no shame as to how they taint this Belizean name. Thanks their blatant disrespect for our system of government and our nationality no one can take our national name seriously. They are making us appear to be a bunch of wash overs. SHAME ON THEM!!! As for Haylock she is a crony as well. We have the right to voice our discontent, to be honest I believe the musicians approached this the best way. “sit and dialogue’? behind closed doors, FI WHAT? so that you can be little us and insult our intelligence. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. Bet you now she and the others will respond to the cries…and if they don’t… WE WA COME BACK HARDER UNTIL WE GET A POSITIVE RESPONSE!!!
none of these people have contributed anything to culture in belize except bills in the case of barrow taking a vacation in Israel. none will ever touch andy palacio and his commitment to our culture’s recognition abroad
I wonder how money money shyne is wasting in Israel. I mean Tax dollars.
I really think that Moses Barrow should be removed as head of Belizes music industry in total, either Supa G, Tanya Carter or Mellonie Gillett should become the new music ambasador for Belize. I dont understand why Shynes not here to at lease set stable laws of music for us.