Permit me a space to rant some.
I am a cultural enthusiast to the point where people at church have chastised me and called me a hypocrite. And to me, that’s okay. I love culture. I love steelpan, mas, the creativity, the music — minus the smut, of course — but the creativity is undeniable.
When Rodney took over the CDC, he did so with much gusto. He utilised technology to his advantage, but more importantly, he did what others before him failed to do: strategise, work, communicate, and keep the masses informed. Even if you didn’t agree with everything, at least it looked like something was happening.
Now, as we head toward 50, I am anxiously watching to see what those at the helm — the people sitting on these boards — are going to do.
I’ve never really had much faith in Ricky. Being a part of the festival does not necessarily mean you know how to run the festival.
And then I hear Colin Graham speaking as an expert in mas and culture. Listen, doing a few things here and there may earn you the accolades of being knowledgeable, or even elevate you to veteran status, but that doesn’t automatically mean you have the know-how, vision or capacity to transform an industry.
Hold on!
I am not saying they cannot do it.
I am saying WE ARE WATCHING.
And I can’t help but notice how disconnected the minister appears to be from our culture and its history. He comes across as a Johnny-come-lately, and so far, I have not seen him successfully sell me a uniquely Vincentian product.
Mr. Cupid, in my humble opinion, needs to study to show himself knowledgeable before attempting to sell us something from which he appears so disconnected.
Yet, I love when people prove me wrong.
So prove me wrong.
I also can’t help but feel that Rodney isn’t being given the same leeway he once had to execute some of his grandiose ideas. And perhaps that is part of the problem.
I had a friend who loved carnival dearly. He has since transitioned to the beyond, so I will leave you with his words:
“If we’re doing it, do it BIG.”
And that brings me to another issue.
Reform the mas industry.
We have what appears to be little mafias operating within the mas industry, with some people holding high positions while also sitting on judging panels.
That cannot be okay.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST MUST BE ADDRESSED.
And not with vague language.
Spell it out.
Who can judge?
Who cannot judge?
Who can sit on a committee?
Who must recuse themselves?
Who can have relationships with bands, sections, designers or masqueraders and still participate in decision-making?
There must be clear, enforceable rules.
If we are serious about taking Vincy Mas to the next level — and especially as we approach 50 — then we cannot continue doing things simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it.”.
We need vision.
We need strategy.
We need transparency.
We need people who understand that being involved in Carnival is not the same as knowing how to develop Carnival.
And most importantly, we need people who understand that Vincy Mas is not merely a festival.
It is culture.
It is history.
It is identity.
It is creativity.
It is an industry.
And for those of us watching from near and far, we’re going to continue watching.
Because ah love me culture BAD.
And when you love something that much, you don’t just clap for it.
You hold it accountable.
An Unapologetically Cultural Enthusiast
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I understand the concerns expressed here; sympathize even.
I’m concerned that, even conceptually we beginning wrong. For starters we are NOT celebrating 50 years of Mas. I been playing Mas since ah about 5 years old and I was a Vincentian, a Vincy, so it was Vincy Mas, a name which gained added currency over time.
So 50 years of June-July Mas or if you may just July Mas, or 50 years in the July Sun is what we mark next year.
I believe our Culture Minister can be guided but he is not, as minister, expected to be an expert on Culture, that is why a Minister has advisors.
Something does seem odd in terms of the dynamism Rodney Small once exhibited.
He is already advertising his annual Steel Expressions and I’m sure he and HIS team would once again execute their demonstrated brilliance. Is he getting the support he as CEO needs at the CDC? I hope the CDC is getting the support they really require.
I think I smell something a bit off. Oh, by the way, I am one of them much criticized “Judges” who recused himself from Kaiso judging after my nephew was competing in all three categories of KaiSoca. But for starters, let’s get the concept right.
Dextstar Rose