Cancer survivor fires back - Woman hits back at critics who say she should choose church over Kartel
Three-time cancer survivor Ingrid Morgan has clapped back at commentators who told her to call on Jesus and not Vybz Kartel.
The Jamaica-born woman, who now resides in Florida, made a public appeal through this newspaper on Monday to the entertainer for free access to his Freedom Street concert slated for December 31.
"I would want Kartel to pass mi the mic at his show so I can share my story. In my life, I love the bad, the good, ugly and in-between. I love Vybz not only because of his music, but his message and where he is coming from. He has a story. I go to church, so what unno have to say? Suh, because mi go church, I must only live for gospel music? No, I listen to Macka Diamond, Lady Saw [now Minister Marion Hall], and Beres [Hammond] music too. Unno cannot control mi, mi nuh inna that. Unno picking the wrong person to come at," Morgan stated.
The 50-year-old is currently in long-term care following three battles with cervical and uterine cancer. Morgan's fight began six years ago when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer, prompting a partial hysterectomy. The cancer reappeared two years later, leading to another invasive surgery. A massive stroke followed, leaving her paralysed and confined to hospitals and therapy sessions for months. Then, in 2023, cancer re-emerged in her vaginal walls, requiring yet another round of chemotherapy and surgery. Morgan also suffers from cervical stenosis, a painful narrowing of the spinal canal in her neck. She said she is cancer-free but endures constant pain.
After reading about her health conditions and her desire to attend Freedom Street, social media users implored her to, among other things, seek God, go to church instead of the concert, and give thanks for having her life spared. But Morgan stated that she is an avid churchgoer.
"I do go to church but it doesn't mean that I cannot enjoy myself and have some form of entertainment. I grew up in a St Thomas church and it doesn't have anything to do with me wanting to go to a Vybz Kartel show. Kartel is very godly and he always say it over and over that is God alone took him out of the jail cell. The time uno deh there a talk, mi a think what mi gonna wear to the concert," she said. She also argued that non-Christians are more godly than those taking communion.
"The church, right now, is worse than the dancehall, if you ask me. Right now, nobody no wah go church because, next ting dem get kick and box down. We have seen videos of persons being box down when pastor say dem a cast out demon. When my ex-husband shot me in the leg in 2001, it was mi and God on the floor as I was bleeding out. So, don't come and act like yuh know mi," Morgan added.