“Teachable Moment,” Ce’cile And Usain Bolt Weigh In On Sprint Champ Antonio Watson’s “Offensive Gesture”
Dancehall’s Bad Gyal Ce’Cile and retired sprinter turned Dancehall producer Usain Bolt have both commented on the imbroglio involving national sprinter and ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ Athletics Championships Class One 200m winner Antonio Watson, over gestures the Petersfield High School student made at the end of the race at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Watson had issued an apology on Monday morning for pointing his fingers in a manner resembling a pistol in the left lane assigned to another athlete and mimicked firing shots in his direction as he crossed the finish line, and then went on to mimic pulling an imaginary pistol from his waist and then cocking it.
On Monday, the Changez singer Ce’Cile said whilst the apology of the sprinter who turns 19 later this year, was accepted, the weaponry gesture could, among other things, harm his earning potential.
“I think this is a teachable moment and we need these so others and this young man can learn. What you do on the corner with your friends in jest cannot be done on this stage. I think the apology is enough and I think lots of us can learn from this,” Ce’Cile wrote on Sleek Jamaica’s IG page, in response to Watson’s apology.
Ce’cile’s discomfiture comes just over month after ‘she rocked the boat’ by speaking up about Dancehall entertainers’ role in influencing violence and what she said was the need to speak calmly and firmly in encouraging a less violent way of life because musicians have played a role in encouraging violence through their utterances in songs.
But one follower, dyamonn2020 who objected to the Give it to Me singer’s statements, sought to get under the Manchester native’s skin. “@badgyalcecile kmt. Clearly u never do any sports inna all a u life. Lady go record a song n shut up. Kmt,” he said.
Ce’cile, though sticking to her opinion, was cool in her response.
“@dyamonn2020 You obviously don’t know about being a business person or protecting ur bag. Look at you with a business… that needs costumers… potentially Me.. and here u are. 😂😂😂😂 I think you need a teachable moment yourself. I am going to check out your business though. Maybe I swing buy and print some shirts just to teach you something. I actually need 500,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, on his Instagram Story today, Usain Bolt defended the teenager and said the imbroglio should be a teachable moment.
“Ppl don’t condemn and chastise young Antonio Watson. It is important that we mold such young talent so he can develop to maximize his full potential,” Bolt wrote. “Reason with him yes about his action but don’t crucify him. It’s a learning lesson and teachable moment for all”
“Youths be strong and remember anything is possible don’t think limit,” Usain added.