Dear Editor,
I’ve heard quite a number of times persons saying that writing is a waste of time – “Yuh writing and nobody K.” And that comment comes oftentimes from those who have grown frustrated, despondent, have had bad experiences and are really fed up. And that I can understand. While at times I do feel so myself, I don’t totally agree; I reserve space for optimism and hope, for in this age of the electronic media, the word, like an insignificant spark can create wonders, simple as it may seem, sometimes from a far unexpected corner of the world.
I know, and can testify to this happening, though not so frequently. Also I have heard and seen splinters of positive results that came about because of the writings of others.
So I do believe in the power of the pen, for it surely can make a difference; remember, in the beginning was the word.
But we don’t always write to effect change, condemn a wrong or repudiate something; we do so also to praise and acknowledge, simply to say well done, thank you, keep up the good work. In the same way that we are moved to revolt against the despicable, we should be equally moved to applaud the little things that are so meaningful, done simply and in a nice way, and which touch us so much.
And so I want to acknowledge a few persons – I think I’ve mentioned some of them before, but still, a second time won’t hurt, it‘s deserving. For a long time now Mr Colin Smith has been doing a wonderful programme, the ‘Catholic Broadcast‘ on Sundays; once he comes on you cannot not listen – nay! pay attention. There is never a time when you don’t grasp something new and enlightening. Then no sooner has he finished, in comes Ms Judy Lewis with her ‘Reach out and touch,’ and there is always an interesting personality. Sunday 3rd gone her guest, Mr Donald Trotman, was indeed a heavyweight, quite an achiever, and an outstanding and remarkable character. His resumé can most certainly serve as an inspiration to many young and not so young people alike. I missed the introduction to the programme, and host Judy Lewis spoke with her guest at length without mentioning his name, but so impressed was I with his scholastic travels around the Caribbean and beyond, I stayed glued to the radio, not wanting to miss who it was. And finally she did tell us. What a legal luminary.
It is so unfortunate that a very large majority of our people both young and old – I’d say over 70% – give radio thumbs down, thus denying themselves on a number of occasions a golden opportunity to listen not only to quality entertainment, but to a range of in-depth information in carefully selected programmes, catering for all types and ages. Our people have become ‘televisionised‘ to the point where they are hooked; everything, good or bad is swallowed whole.
Just look at some of the unwholesome advertisements for local and foreign shows. We now more than ever crave the US lifestyle and accept whatever we see as the way to go. Most certainly there are a lot more interesting, enlightening and entertaining radio programmes: ‘Sunday Showcase‘ with Andrea Joseph, ‘A salute to senior citizens‘ with Margaret Lawrence, ‘Sunshine Corner‘ with Sarah Blossom Chappell, etc.
But I want to say hats off to veteran radio personality Mr Ron Robinson whose programme ‘Ron’s Rendezvous‘ a few weeks ago was a wonderful treat for me, and incidentally occasioned this letter. Ron Robinson has not been long at it for nothing; he has become a past master in broadcasting, noted for his encyclopaedic knowledge of songs, singers and scores as he takes you through his programme. His is a treasure that you just can’t not like. There are oldies yes, but specially selected ones. Why do I say specially selected? Because when you hear them it’s like, “Wow! Hear duh boy, is whey he find duh one?“ The songs make yesteryear come a calling, knock you soft and make you sentimental. Your head is in a whirl as yesteryear sits in front of you for 2½ solid hours recalling the good, the bad and the inbetween – a beautiful scene.
Then you understand and appreciate the power of meaningful lyrics, lovely songs. And to spice things up, he gets you involved as he teases his audience with mystery tunes: “Tell me who this singer is?” What he does is a show, a great show by a past master, and he has been going at this for as long as anyone can remember. Without taking away from other radio personalities, there is no doubt that Ron Robinson, who has been a household name on radio for so long, is truly a broadcaster par excellence. Ron Robinson’s 47 years in broadcasting has been certainly no play, and I say to him congratulations for his endurance and continuing delightful servings.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
