Trinidadians: COVID, Humor and Cricket. Laughter is still the best medicine.

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One Caribbean Nation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Prime Minister Mr. Keith Rowley


Sir. Curtly Ambrose

Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar

The Keith Rowley government of Trinidad and Tobago, seems to be encountering great difficulty in getting Trinis to follow strict COVID protocols. This certainly will not surprise anyone remotely aware of the unique but endearing Trini culture and personality. Trinidadians have never taken themselves too seriously. They have survived dead- locked elections and an attempted coup against the government. And they always come out smiling or “making joke”.

We were therefore not surprised, when according to reports, Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that the curfew restrictions were “undemocratic” because they included political parties. According to "Auntie Kamla", since political parties "serve the interest of the people", they should have been excluded from such inconveniences. In typical Trini fashion, she was told that she had a very good argument until she stated political parties serve the people. A lie like that could never get past Rowley, who also leads a political party! Only in Trinidad would a political party’s leader attempt to make it a frontline worker. That is joke.

No sooner than we stopped laughing at Kamla in runs, Sir Curtly Ambrose, former West Indies fast bowler, declaring that West Indies cricket will never return to the glory days of the Lloyd and Richards eras. Of course, Sir Curtly, was heavily criticized for making such a true statement. Let us face it: Anybody who thinks that we are on a such a path of cricketing glory must be hanging out with Kamla. And most Trinis know Kamla’s favorite beverage.

A Trinidadian put Sir Curtly’s position in true perspective. He said that we do not need to argue too much about our boys returning to such esteemed heights. However, according to him, we still must protect them from COVID at all costs. His pardner (close buddy), disagreed and said: “We only need to protect them from being beaten. Its not COVID they frighten fuh; it’s winning.”

We at Mahogany Coconut, relish our unique Caribbean culture. Our innate ability to counter adversity with a bit, sometimes too much, humor. So, while we urge Trinis to follow the Protocols, we also hope they will never lose their charming ability to see a bit of humor in all things.

After all, for a people that seem so lighthearted, they have produced: Dr. Eric Williams, The Mighty Sparrow , Brian Lara, Olympic gold medalists and ladies who have won global beauty contests. Not bad…. laughter is still the best medicine.

Be safe but laugh on Trinidad and Tobago !


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