Response to Steve Alvarez's Response to Cro Cro

What's the matter, Steve? Like you want such shows to end the instant the introductory National Anthem is done?????? Well! I declare!

Look, mister! Cro Cro is as Cro Cro does -a true-true calypsonian! Never forget what true-true calypso is, okay? If you wish to counter what Cro Cro sang/sings, find a proper stage -the tent, as a calypsonian- else you'd be giving him more credit than he has/got.

Steve, Dr. Eric Williams made the same mistake with Leroy "Black Stalin" Calliste concerning "Caribbean Man" -at the PNM's 20th Annual Convention (October 1978) he consumed considerable time rebutting Black Stalin's poetic-licence assertion of all Caribbean people being one because "is one race, from the same place, that make the same trip, on the same ship". By the time Dr. Williams was done criticizing the humdinger, not a copy was to be had in any record shop -all sold out! Mind you, I'm not equating you with Dr. Williams, eh?

In conclusion, it's best to chill concerning Cro Cro's continual crowing, for, since way back, calypsonians have always been cock-a-hoop in lambasting public figures as they fancy...and you are a public figure of sorts.

Bless!

Oops! Nearly forgot...here's a YouTube clip of Black Stalin singing Caribbean Man:

Hope listening to it reorients you in the business at hand, especially as in it Black Stalin melodically asks:

How could a man who don't know his roots, form his own ideology?

Over and out!

On 22 February 2012 15:58, Steve Alvarez <bilcoa@hotmail.com> wrote:

 

Saying Something to Cro Cro

Cro Cro in his 2012 calypso “say something” seems to be suggesting that no one of African descent in the People’s Partnership is saying anything on behalf of the “black people” in Trinidad & Tobago.  I suppose that by the term “black people” he is referring to people of African descent.  If Cro Cro is correct then the individuals whose names he called in the calypso should all be commended for not saying anything on behalf of any one sector of our nation.  Politicians when assuming office to the Senate or house of Representatives take an oath that in part states “having been elected/appointed a member of Parliament ... do swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Trinidad and Tobago, will uphold the Constitution and the law, and will conscientiously and impartially discharge the responsibilities to the people of Trinidad and Tobago upon which I am about to enter”.  Politicians who seek the interest of special sectors of our citizens may be in violation of their oath of office.   In such light I want to humbly suggest to Cro Cro that the constitution of Trinidad & Tobago does not allow for individual in service to Trinidad & Tobago to say something for “the black man” in isolation.

Dealing with racial issues is always sensitive.  For this reason many politicians seem to veer away from making comments on race.  In the politics of Trinidad & Tobago one can hardly escape its pertinence.  The question remains though; is there a need for someone to speak out for the “black man”?  In Trinidad & Tobago people of African descent have always spoken for themselves when necessary.  Our history is rich with struggles and accomplishments of the African people in Trinidad & Tobago.  Uriah Butler and the labour movement, the struggle of the Baptists and Orisha faiths to worship freely, the Black Power movement of the 1970’s and their struggle for social equality are recorded in the history of the “black man” in Trinidad & Tobago.   The “black man” in Trinidad & Tobago and the wider world has endured tremendous hardships that challenged his ability to assimilate into the wider society.  Through it all the music, laughter and determination to succeed have seen the elevation of “black people” to top places in the world in politics, sports, science, business and entertainment.  In such light there is no need for anyone in particular to say something for the “black man”.  The steel pan will forever be etched in the history of Trinidad & Tobago as a contribution by people of African origin, so too the achievements of individuals like Brian Lara, Slinger Francisco, Aldwin Roberts and many others.  The achievement of these people are not in isolation as our history will be incomplete without the names like Adrian Cola Rienzi, V. S. Naipaul, Captain Arthur Andrew Cipriani  and others who do not look like the “black man”.

Perhaps more important is what is not being said.  Is there anyone saying that in all races and cultures throughout the world there are segments of the society that are law breakers, belligerent and destructive?  When these individuals surface many seek to define them by race rather than by their action and subsequently seek some kind of racial explanation for their activities.  This is where people like Cro Cro must use the medium of calypso and music to reach these individuals and say we will not tolerate lawlessness in our community and furthermore we will not allow you to use the colour of your skin or social standing as an excuse to abuse the constitutional privileges of the people of Trinidad & Tobago.  There must be no shelter for criminals in the house of race, religion or political affiliation.  As the history of mankind is written the records will show that the humble, non violent struggles of people like Mandela, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. have done more for the development of mankind that any aggressive confrontation.  Segregation, classism and racism have been the foundation of many of the major wars and destructive practices of mankind.  In Trinidad & Tobago we must not be lured into such destructive paths.  So in answer to Cro Cro’s question about who is speaking for the “black man”, the answer is all of us....the citizens of Trinidad & Tobago.  We must speak for all our people as we seek to build a nation of one people committed to making Trinidad & Tobago the gem of the Caribbean.  "God Bless Our Nation of many varied races.  May we possess that common love that binds and makes us one."  (National Song by Marjorie Padmore)

Steve Alvarez