The recently announced disqualification of a six-year-old pupil from a Mashramani Calypso competition on the grounds that the lyrics of her calypso did not fit the guidelines for songs in her age-group, has raised the ire of many, including the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).
As far as the WPA is concerned, the explanation put forth by the government “insults the intelligence of Guyanese,” and begs the following questions: a) since when children are disqualified from engaging in social and political commentary? b) which part of the constitution bars schoolchildren from singing songs that comment on topical issues? c) if children are permitted to sing songs which are considered “jam and wine”, why are they banned from singing songs with serious lyrics? d) can the government say what moral or other forms of danger can singing such a calypso bring to the child in question and children in general? and e) if the calypso violated the “guidelines,” why it was not disqualified during the preliminary stages of the competition and why now.
The WPA observed that it is clear that the government takes exception to the lyrics which criticises the country’s high cost of living and the government’s meagre 6.5 per cent wage increase to public servants. It pointed out that such lyrics are a staple of the calypso art-form and fall within the category of calypso which serve as forms of socio-political rebuke.
It added, “This is nothing short of government censorship that is reminiscent of the colonial era when calypsos were deemed subversive and banned by the authorities. Such action by a post-independence government is inconsistent with the values of independence and freedom. Censorship of art and culture is a tried and tested tactic of authoritarian government and governance.
“All calypsonians and artists must take stock of this development and raise their voices in protest.”
The release went on to describe the government’s action as an attack on creative expression which it stressed is a sacred right of all Guyanese. Further, it is also a frontal attack on an art-form of calypso that is central to African Guyanese, Guyanese and Caribbean cultural expression, and is the mother-music of the Anglophone Caribbean. “This action reeks of cultural insensitivity from a party and government which have been found guilty of ethno-cultural discrimination. WPA says to the government-Get of the back of calypso. There was calypso before the PPP and the art-form will never surrender to government domination.”
The WPA also branded the government’s action as an attack on children, and asked, “What message are we sending to children when they are told by the government that they are free to sing lewd songs but prohibited from singing songs with uplifting lyrics?”
It further noted with some alarm that the government does not seem to care that it may have crushed the spirit of a child and in the process dragged her into unwanted controversy.