2023 Carnival round-up and eye to the future

It is a pity that once more I am forced to preface my comments on what seems to have been a fairly successful full-fledged return to VINCYMAS, with grave concerns over violent attacks on Cuban health professionals. For the second successive weekend, representatives of these selfless internationalists were violently attacked, ironically in the town where the most significant medical institution is based, Georgetown.

Just one week ago, via this column, I made known my strong views both on the first attack and the seeming low-keyed response to it. Then, because of the unknown motive behind the attack, some could understand the hesitation. In fact, I received responses, based around comments like, “crime is everywhere”, “why the hysteria?”, and “are the Cubans special?”

It is sad that apparently well-meaning persons would react in that manner, although I fully appreciate the need to avoid over-reaction especially in the midst of Carnival, but this second attack raises serious questions about motives. In addition, I may ask, how would we have reacted if on two successive weekends US Peace Corps volunteers for example, had been attacked violently and wounded in the process?

Up to now there has been no evidence of targeting but one cannot ignore the actions of some politically backward elements in our country who have been working assiduously to create an anti-Cuba climate here. The low point was reached during the constitutional referendum of 2009. A friend of mine has provided me with excerpts from a broadcast on NICE radio during the period during which it was argued that “A vote No will ensure that we are not forced to work on Christmas day as in Cuba”, and “A vote No will ensure that we get no old clothes in barrels from Cuba and Venezuela”. Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel!

That attempt to stir up hatred can and must have negative effects among the less-enlightened elements in our society. The government and Security forces cannot be complacent and must provide proper security for our guests and helpers while of course respecting their privacy. It has implications for our own health for not only was one doctor taken out of action, but the Cuban attacked in Georgetown is reputed to be an electrical engineer involved in the installation of the MRI equipment.

CARNIVAL ROUND-UP

With apologies and no disrespect, let me turn to comments on the 2023 Carnival. It is fair to say, that in spite of all the pre-Carnival fears and
difficulties, we can only say that it turned out to be a success. Praise must therefore go to all who made it a success: the components and participants, the CDC, sponsors and supporters, the media and promoters, and above all the Vincentian people without whom success could not be achieved.

To my surprise, and defying gloomy predictions about its future, calypso, so badly treated and neglected over the years, demonstrated on Carnival Sunday night that not only is it relevant, but it also has a future. Congratulations to the 2023 champion, Lorna “Fire Empress” Nedd and her competitors for a high standard.

Permit me here to extend special congratulations to the veteran calypsonian Reality. Not only has he persevered for a half of a century, but proved his and calypso’s relevance in his offering about the roots of calypso. Reality ushered in an era of black consciousness kaiso in the seventies that produced the late Black Messenger, De Man Age, Vincent “Groovy D’, Kennedy, Sulle, Duster and Sagittarian, all at one time actively involved in political activism with the organizations BLAC and YULIMO. In addition, there was Scakes, Lord Have Mercy, Exposer, and Producer, one of the leading pastors of today. Continuing this trend were De Man CP, Lexie and Mystery to name a few. It was good to see another veteran of those early years, Jose Juan, still gracing the stage. Yes, Reality was spot on with his comments.

The positive injection of women and youth cannot be ignored, and they made significant contributions at all levels. We must not take this for granted though, they have to be nurtured and encouraged, positively and consistently. Not just in calypso and Soca, mind you, in pan and mas too. Look at our steel bands of today and you will see from their composition where our future lies.

In mas too, it is women leading the way. We can complain, with justification, about the tendency towards lewdness but it is clear that women are the bulk of our mas players. What does it tell us about the future? What can be gleaned from our experiences to guide our future? We can expect the usual post-mortem on this year’s Carnival, but I would humbly suggest, when we have settled, a serious discussion/consultation on the future of our Carnival. Don’t confine it to only the usual participants but let us hear from the young people from Sandy Bay, from Leeward, the Grenadines etc. and the schools.

As a personal parting shot, it grieves me to hear, including from people who know better, the use of the derogatory term, “pan side” to describe our steel orchestras. And do we need to be still fighting up with “Dimanche Gras” and the like, as well as to be crowning “monarchs” rather than champions? Let’s think!

•  Renwick Rose is a community activist and social commentator.