One Caribbean Nation. The Mighty Sparrow Calypso King of the World The passing of Dr. Slinger Francisco, whose stage name was The Mighty Sparrow, represents a profound loss to the Caribbean. He was recognized as the Calypso King of the World and an artiste of immense talent, that many believe will never be surpassed in the Calypso art form. To have maintained that standard could not have been as easy or comfortable as he made it appear. His vast volume of work, represents an encyclopedia of what Caribbean culture means to those who are unafraid of embracing, respecting and promoting the Caribbean civilization. Sparrow through his music, magically turned all of us into his students when he instructed and generously shared his vast wisdom. He was a teacher par excellence. Like all great teachers, he made us comfortable and excited in his class. His mastery of Caribbean wit with its poignant message about politics , sex, injustice along with social and economic messages, always ...
One Caribbean Nation. By William Skinner Me and V: a personal introduction to gay tolerance I must have been around nine or ten years old. V was a well-known gay citizen, who lived in my beloved hometown of Britton’s Hill, in the parish of St. Michael, Barbados. My earliest recollection of V was his apparent penchant for dressing in white. I seldom saw him in a long pants, and he walked with an amazing rhythm. Even at that early age, I realized that he was very effeminate. He always seemed busy out and about in the Brittons Hill area and it was obvious that everybody knew him, and his notoriety was island wide. I also noticed that he was always exceptionally clean. Later, I would learn that he was also known as a popular pudding and souse vendor, who carried on his trade in the vicinity of Nelson Street, in the city. He was well loved and respected in Britton’s Hill; along with that respect came good-natured heckling. One day, around midafternoon, about three of my chil...
One Caribbean Nation. Former Jamaica Prime Minister Mr. P.J. Patterson Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson has slammed the Holness administration’s decision to abstain from voting on the United Nations resolution calling for an end to the embargo against Cuba as “an abominable betrayal which history will never forget”. The vote marked a shift in policy by Jamaica as historically the island has voted “yes” in favour of ending the United States economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba for over 30 years since the annual UN resolution began. In a scathing rebuke of the decision by Jamaica, Patterson said “It was a day of shame for the land of Marcus Garvey, and a stain on the record of a nation which, before we had even raised our own flag, closed its ports to trade with apartheid South Africa.” Patterson recalled that in December 1972, he accompanied then Prime Minister Michael Manley to the meeting at which four newly independent Caribbean states resolved to establi...
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