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. Kamla – slide to irrelevance Professor Tennyson Joseph Kamla – slide to irrelevance CARIBBEAN PEOPLE are not often afforded the privilege of witnessing the inevitable slide towards irrelevance, in slow motion, of a key regional figure. Thus, when it occurs, it should be grasped as a precious teaching moment. The “independence” day speech by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar as well as her public interventions in the preceding months, has presented such a moment. Political leadership, by its very definition, implies greater levels of intellectual sophistication and articulation than that of the ordinary citizen. Ordinary citizens may be forgiven for “talking foolishness” but the political leaders cannot. If Persad-Bissessar hoped that her “I’m cool with colonialism” independence speech would have shock value, she failed miserably. No one was surprised. Since Donald Trum...
One Caribbean Nation. Sir Garfield Sobers There is, or at least was, a picture of Sir Garfield Sobers, in the hall of the Bay Primary School, located in Bayville that most of us will recall was once called Bayland. The striking aspect of the picture is that Sir Garry is standing there with bat in hand, it appeared to us that he is batting slightly outside the leg stump. In other words, all of his stumps were exposed. Many young boys have stared at this picture for years trying to figure out how Sir Garry could “move so fast” to avoid his stumps being uprooted. In those days, we argued whether that stance was genuine or if it was merely done for the cameras! He is perhaps the only sports man, whose exceptional talents have not been surpassed by any in his sport, and who remains unchallenged , as the greatest allround cricketer to have ever played the game. Sir Garry has walked with Kings and Queens but has never lost the common touch. The entire Caribbean region, has not pr...
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