The behaviour of individuals is to be blamed, not Carnival

Tue, Jun 19. 2012

In recent weeks, there has been much talk coming from various quarters, including some church leaders, that Carnival is not just sinful, but satanic.

It is not unusual for such charges to be made about the national festival at this time of the year, but this year, there seems to be an intensification of the calls to, in some way, curtail the festival.{{more}}

We share the concern of all decent citizens about the degeneration in public morality, but the harsh and uncompromising critics of the festival most often choose to disregard completely the cultural and creative aspects of the festival, and focus instead on the excesses of individuals.

But these excesses are not exclusive to Carnival. Lewd behaviour, vulgarity, sexual immorality and excessive drinking of alcohol take place in our society year round, yet some persons give the impression that Carnival is the cause of such behaviour.

We need to speak out against, and find ways to combat such excesses, but in our attempts, we must avoid throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

One wonders if the critics of Vincy Mas have ever witnessed a Carnival show. Have they ever taken the time to listen to well-crafted social commentary from our calypsonians, including songs which decry the self-same lewdness? Have they ever listened to the sweet music emanating from a steel orchestra, a most original invention of Caribbean people? Have they taken time to view, and appreciate, the creative genius of our Carnival costumes?

Instead, the critics of the national festival now openly pronounce that Carnival is not part of our culture, a most puzzling statement, almost oxymoronic, as it betrays their lack of comprehension of what constitutes the culture of a people. Carnival has been part of our artistic and social expression for many generations, which is the very definition of what is culture – our practices, our beliefs, way of life.

All of this in no way condones the vulgarity, parade of virtual nakedness by some women, the drunkenness, sexual immorality and other excesses, which we agree, seem to increase or come to the fore around this time. What we are saying is that the target of our censure should be the individuals guilty of such behaviour, not the festival itself. Not everyone who participates in, or enjoys Carnival, behaves in an unbecoming manner. In fact the majority do not.

The falsehood is also being propagated that anyone who takes part in Carnival is not a Christian. That kind of extreme thinking seems to be part of a growing fanaticism and intolerance for views and beliefs different to one’s own, which seems to be manifesting itself in this country.

There are, among us, committed Christians and church leaders who patronize shows and even participate in different activities, without, in any way, bringing their Christian witness into question. Perhaps we need to encourage more of this type of participation in an effort to influence those who tend to go to the extreme, and in the process, let themselves down and commit acts that they later live to regret.

So, in the next few weeks, as we participate in the various activities which make up Vincy Mas, while we enjoy ourselves, let us each take responsibilty for our behaviour and encourage those around us to do likewise.