The caption is from the mouth and mind of Dave Martins, the leader of the Caribbean band, the TradeWinds.
The Guyanese Martins is much, much more than songwriter, musician and band-leader. To me, he is a Caribbean muse in-the-flesh, a patriotic thinker and fiercely Guyanese, then Caribbean. I seldom use – or – mis-use – the description icon. Martins however comes close to being a modern day Caribbean cultural icon. But look, I won’t use that word only because I suspect that Dave himself would want to avoid that accolade.
I read that both Speaker of our Parliament Mr Ramkarran and Dave Martins addressed Guyanese in Orlando, Florida on Republic Day. Two fine Guyanese minds in one foreign room! In his inimitable anecdotal, humorous style, used to great effect to make most serious points, Martins spoke to the “Diasporic” Guyanese about the sometimes subliminal, invisible pull of the culture of their birth, development and heritage. He waxed most nostalgic as he reminded them of the formative childhood and pact they experienced in the land of their birth. He then delineated just how much of that cultural past they had taken with them as they matured in challenges of their new adopted homes.
For those who missed it – perhaps because of where his remarks were reproduced – I’ll repeat a sampling. Then I’ll repeat my self-imposed dilemma. He spoke about the influence and power of observation; the changes of Guyanese lives outside of their native Guyana – fashioned by both the socio-economic environment of the new homes in American metropoles and the methods used by those emigrants to survive challenges, prosper, then become full-fledged successful citizens of the countries they settle in (“Living outside has given (us) more ambitions”) “I learned the power of personal belief”, be proclaimed.
But Martins made it a central point and theme to remind his overseas Guyanese that their success could be attributed to not only the place they went to, but also the place they came from – Guyana.
Said he:
“So when you examine your success story, to be fair, we must first give credit to these places we came to. That’s the first piece, it’s a vital piece. However, it’s not just the place we came to; it is also the place we came from, and it’s unfortunately true that a lot of us forget that second piece. The reality is that where we came from had a lot to do with how well we’ve done wherever we went. It may not have occurred to you before, but it’s true. I’m not talking about the politics of Guyana here, and the various governments, and the establishments; (I’m talking about our way of being; our culture; our attitude to life. In other words, not the condition of the politics, but the condition of the people).
The qualities that helped us succeed here were forged in that homeland behind us; in the culture in which we grew up; where we learned perseverance; where we acquired our sense of humour; where we learned to deal with setbacks; to deal with ‘cunnu munnus’; to be ingenious, like the guy with the string: To make do; to invent. In other words, it is the qualities ingrained in us, imbedded in us by the Guyanese culture that underpin the success we have made outside. Growing up in Guyana, you find ways to get around problems; and many of us have come to these developed countries and leave people speechless at how we improvise and substitute and get things to work. We learned that in Guyana. For instance: Hillman hub cap story.”
Dave, good-naturedly and kindly, even explained their Guyanese-ness to the few who tried to reject their cultural roots and innate identity.
“Now I know there will be some who reject what I’m saying; who feel Guyana has given them nothing; and they owe Guyana nothing. I hear them. I hear them loud and clear. They haven’t gone home in years, but I also see them same people Saturday morning in the Caribbean market buying their curry powder and their hassar; and I see them in their house parties grooving to soca and reggae; and I still see them in their Dockers pants in the roti shop; and Christmas morning in their fancy house they still have garlic pork on the stove. And if you give them two rum they end up telling you of the champion cashew tree they had in Forshaw Street.”
Loving home,
away from home
I’ve always been intrigued by the phenomenon of migration. From the earliest times man has drifted from continent to continent. From Africa to people the rest of the Planet assuming all types of colour, hair and other physical characteristics as well as ways of living to become culturally diverse. And yes, the push-pull factors of modern-day migration – including the economic organisation of the world – are all well-known. In time, so many will grow up and live away from their country of birth. (After all, all the people born in, say, Anguilla, can’t remain in that little place.)
But because Guyana is no Anguilla or Grenada, my dilemma at our own migration is ever-present. The political managers of our economy messed up our land, causing thousands to vote with their feet, brains and minds.
Our loss was the foreign lands’ gain. Now, in 2008, hundreds of thousands of our professionals, tradesmen, sportsmen, care-givers, artistes and yes, icons live and contribute outside of our Guyana borders. They say they still “love Guyana” but can’t or won’t come back. They pay their taxes in Orlando and Oistins and see material gains and endless opportunities for the hard job or three that they work at.
So even as I agonise that my daughters live elsewhere; that thousands settle (in even the crowded Caribbean islands, and border towns in our continental neighbours’ lands, I understand their need for decent job, fair pay, running water and good education and medical attention. “Home is where the heart is”, the overseas Guyanese chant but they just can’t take the Birthplace. Hence the nostalgia and memories, so vividly recorded by Dave Martins, will have to do, to suffice.
So can’t we “innovate” a compromise? Besides the barrels, the visits and the remittances? Dave, could you mobilize those you spoke to, to come back to their birthplace for a few weeks every two years, to hold workshops, teach or work in the hospitals? What? Security and a government-NGO scheme to accommodate those who are willing? Sure! Let’s see if this Administration can rise to that occasion. Not re-migration but a structured “giving-back” programme by the Diaspora. Those children and beneficiaries of the Culture should challenge this government with their goodwill. Pity any government has to be involved at all!
Blatant
discrimination
Bordering on petulant political spite. I have to add my voice and pen to the Stabroek News struggle against the discrimination by the government in starving Stabroek of those advertisements paid for by tax-payers’ money.
I buy all of the three dailies. Unlike many, I do not run down the Chronicle ‘papers. They have good writers and great features. Strangely Chronicle leads in Classified Ads – for rentals etc. And their website is tops. But the Chronicle just does not sell more than the Stabroek! Two of my favourite vendors take just 12 to 24 Chronicle every day. For obvious reasons.
I will leave the threat of Freedom of the Press to others, but some people’s freedom of choice has been trampled upon by this boycott. Those people choose Stabroek but won’t see important State Ads in their newspaper of preference. There are times when one realizes that arrogant decision-makers become like stone – no shame, no feelings.
Could the priest who would speak to the killers who gunned down Lusignan children, lead a protest against the denial of his Stabroek News rights?
Until…
1) Such a glimmer of hope and inspiration! In depressed Linden! Young talented footballer Kayode Mckinnon has started a Saturday Academy for the needy but ambitious youth there. Articulate and purposeful, the young man must be supported!
2) The African-European-American Candidate Barack Obama should take a jet-black full Afro-American as a running mate. Right?
3) What does Obama think of Bill Clinton?
4) “Certainly these are no ordinary criminals who some claim have a just cause… In fact, these are paramilitary operatives who have their dubious political ideological masters as well as their shadowy military strategists to guide them in their killer operations, be these at Lusignan, Bartica or elsewhere,” said Rohee. Don’t just buse Minister Rohee and his thesis. Discuss first.
5) What does The Young and The Restless have to do with Carifesta Ten in Guyana?
Watch, Listen to the Guyana Cook-Up Show on CNS TV6.
‘Till next week!
Comments?
Allanafenty@yahoo.com
