Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 9 min ago
Indian culture left out opening ceremony
Published: 20 Apr 2009
Open letter to Brian MacFarlane: The Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC) wishes to formally convey to you the great disappointment from the majority of the Indian population of T&T in the virtual absence of the presentation of Indian culture at the 5th Summit of the Americas.
ITEC, like the majority of the Indian population, is disgusted at what was presented as a cultural offering as it excluded our Indian culture. ITEC holds you responsible for this grave omission in your capacity as head designer/artistic director for the Summit that was responsible for the cultural show.
When Indian culture is now being considered as part of the mainstream culture you selected to give pre-eminence to our former colonial overlords—French and English—that enslaved and dehumanised our people. The Indian component lasted for no more than a mere 45 seconds. Other aspects of our culture were given significant exposure, in particular our African heritage. You have done a grave disservice to our nation with this warped and distorted monochromatic presentation of T&T to the international community.
ITEC views the omission of Indian culture at this hemispheric event that showcased our nation as a national insult to not only the Indo-Trinidadian community but also to the nation including the Government. It is clear from your cultural offering that you have no appreciation of the Indian component of our national mosaic. It is hoped that on the next occasion you attempt to view the rest of T&T that exists beyond the lighthouse in Port-of-Spain to be considered for inclusion. In the meanwhile, ITEC hopes that the Indian community remembers how it is viewed by you when you offer your next Carnival presentation. Indeed, ITEC will ask the Indian community to boycott your Carnival offering for this insult.
Devant Maharaj
Chairman, ITEC
Devant, What the organisers
Devant, What the organisers have said is to take that in yuh rookungtukungtung. I read of this omission elsewhere. Omission is the wrong word; it is more like a denial of the presence of Indo-Trinis in the landscape.
This is an old ploy and plot of the PNM from its inception. I was in the party in the earlies and I do not deny that omitting ''Indians'' from positions in PNM was central to the party's unwritten rules. Say what! It prevalebit. And they were generous with that 45 seconds of playtime. Nothing changed. Same ole same ole ploy.
GrantAdamsCares
People like MacFarlane have
People like MacFarlane have a superiority complex and they feel that they are above everyone.
They like to pretend that they are French, Spanish or British and some of them even have a fresh-water foreign accent.
But he needs to come to London or some other parts of the Western World and take a hard look in the mirror.
I happen to be of African origin and I am totally amazed at how non-Indians sneer at the Indian aspect of our culture.
Bur "Mac-boy" ain't big enough to suppress the culture of T & T.
Like Calypso and other artforms that come from Mother Africa, the part of our culture that is derived from Mother India will always prevail.
MacFarlane, you cannot suppress the culture and will of over 40% of the people.
It will always live on and will last long after you and your hideous, racist breed are gone from these shores.
The Indians who are part of the PNM are also to blame for condoning this assault on their heritage.
The attitude displayed by
The attitude displayed by Macfarlane and the organizers of the show typifies the Black response to Indian culture and the participation of Indians in politics.
I am amazed how Black Trinis can be so proud that the US has a Black President, when just over 10% of the US population is Black, but they cannot handle the thought that an Indian could be Prime Minister of T & T, when Indians represent over 40% of the population in this country.
The same applies to their intolerance of Indian culture.
Remember when Sonny Mann was booed at a Dimanche Gras show, when Ricki Jai was pelted with bottles and other objects at a Soca Monarch show and when Brother Marvin was booed when he sang Jahagi Bhai?
Mackie, Bhai, come dong Central and eat a little Bhagee with we nah?
It go open yuh eye and heal yuh heart.
I happen to be of mixed race
I happen to be of mixed race - African father and Indian Mother.
I blame Mr. Manning for all of this.
He likes to micro-manage, so he should have insisted on being briefed on the content of the show, which was to showcase the entire culture of T & T, not just one or two aspects that were specially selected.
But then again, Mr. Manning is not known for inclusion and when it comes to Indians, he cleverly indulges in window dressing.
So who knows, perhaps Macfarlane was dancing to the PM's tune anyway.
This is yet another reason
This is yet another reason why Indians will feel left our and marginalized in this country.
Selwyn Cudjoe and Leroy Clarke, where are you??
It is a slap in the face for
It is a slap in the face for Indian culture. The summit was financed by Trinidad and Tobago, not the Caribbean, not Europe, and yet Indians, who make up 40% of the taxpaying population, were marginalized. What a shame!
Vishal Sharma
Though MacFarlane's cultural
Though MacFarlane's cultural show was quite entertaining, the fact that he left out one of the most integral part of our culture...the Indian culture was disappointing. Why show the history of our country, but not show the culture of some of the most important players in our country, Indian people. I never saw the reason to include Arrow singing "Hot Hot" and even Rudder and Machel. These are heads of countries we were entertaining and believe me, they were not interested in hearing those guys sing. It made the whole affair rather cheesy and boring. Costumes, pan and dancing was enough.
hmmmm.. the same old grouses
hmmmm.. the same old grouses live on in Trinidad and Tobago.. let me comment on something here.. why dont people of EAST INDIAN DESCENT in Trinidad and Tobago act like Trinidians first then Indians second??? I'm always amused that there always seems to be some sort of racial divide in trinidad due to this.. its always PNM this UNC that... when will this foolishness end! McFarlane should have included East Indian aspects to the presentation but let's ask ourselves important questions, how many East Indians partake in national festivals such as Emancipation day? If these are all "national" holidays shouldnt there be a general sharing? Hopefully next time we get a more culturally diverse representation of all the threads that weave our shared tapestry but also we as Trinis need to let go of Mother India and Mother Africa and celebrate Mother Trinidad!!!
J Maharaj Thanks at least
J Maharaj
Thanks at least for agreeing in part that East Indians were not
properly represented in the Summit opening but but WHY bring the race
word into this miss Ice Queen? Our country is made up of many different beautiful cultures, so, Indian culture should have played a MAJOR part in the celebrations. Now here I am going to be called racist (mind you, I am Caucasion, not Indian,so this will probably make it worse!!) but this was an African portrayal
of Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Macfarlane insulted 40% of this
country. trinibone
Trinibone Okay let's get
Trinibone
Okay let's get something straight here, I'm not going to call you a racist nor really show any real concern with what race you are or are not (you're online you could say anything..) but really and truly Trinidad itself is a country STEEPED in racial arguments and I, for one, am tired about hearing that this race wasnt represented or that race is marginalized.. Your statement "Our country is made up of many different beautiful cultures, so, Indian culture should have played a MAJOR part in the celebrations" was quite contradictory to me.. if Trinidad is made up of many cultures then it should have showed that.. MANY cultures, Chinese, Portuguese, African, Indian, French, Spanish, Indian, European.. all these come together to weave the tapestry that is our fair isle Trinidad.. not paid homage to one or two.. This show should have been so multicultural an outsider should NEVER know what percentage of our country is Indian or African, they should just say "wow, Trinidad is a melting pot".. This race thing is annoying.. our society is very classist and egregious, racist and divisive.. the sooner we acknowledge this and try to work to repair these divides the greater we will become.. As long as we continue to have emphasis and focus on Indian and African cultures in Tnt, we'll never have TRINIDADIAN culture..
J Maharaj to Ice Queen, well
J Maharaj
to Ice Queen, well I really got U worked up, unfortunately U used the race word so many times I obviously touched a really deep nerve. You still do not get the point!!! Your message is loud and clear. Yes, Indian Culture was glaringly left out of the summit show and also Chinese and European. face it , IT WAS AN AFRICAN SHOW. forget all your tapestry and melting pot words, we have individual cultural capabilities and that cannot be denied by U or anyone and most of all Mr. Macfarlane who should re-group and get his act straight from
now on. We were portrayed to the world in one light. Why on earth should outsiders or anyone not be given the percentages of the two major races in T&T at least? what is wrong with that? To conclude , yes, anyone can say they are anything over the Internet you are not
seeing me, at least, but believe me I am as white as they come with some very strong views about the great divide out there which unfortunately cannot be denied. Mr Minshall, help where R U!!!trinibone
Trinibone.. maybe YOU are
Trinibone.. maybe YOU are not getting the point.. do you think anybody cares whether Trinidad is made up of 40% Indian or 40% African outside of the shores of Trinidad and Tobago?? no. Sorry to disappoint you but the answer is an unmistakable NO. The fact that you felt you needed to point out that you were "white" was just another example to me that race is indeed very much alive and kicking in Trinidad and Tobago. Truth be told, I do not care what race you are. Yes, Indian culture may have been left out of the show and that is indeed unfortunate but in a country where every creed and race toussles with the rest for the public eye, this is very much commonplace. Don't act like this is a recent happening.. Some races want to be seen as their DISTINCTIVE race, not as Trinis, others hog the limelight for all activities, others take a backseat to the main races.. why?? Why in this day and age is Trinidad still like this? The great divide will continue to be perpetuated by those who clamour for their 40% share of the national pie, no matter which side they are on.. When will people learn we are all Trinis so come together as such.. If you don't want it to be a melting pot, it can very well be otherwise..
J Maharaj For the sake of
J Maharaj
For the sake of the fact that we are a cosmopolitan country in the Caribbean and unique, yes, it is important and of great interest to many to know the percentages of the different people that make up this country. How can you speak for all of the people who are interested in the history of Trinidad and Tobago for instance?
And yes, you are correct that some hog the limelight, and it is true that this argument is ongoing and has been this way for years. and yes it is interesting that I am caucasion (racist, I dont think so)
married to a Trini no less, I know you did not request info, but I am not even a Trinidadian!! but I love this country a whole lot more than some Trini's, (39 years of it) and so I feel I have every right to talk about the unfair stuff that we witness at times and the summit opening was a great and glaring example.
Miss Icequeen, where you
Miss Icequeen, where you getting your info from, of course people want to know about the race and cultural divide of any country especially one hosting a big event like the summit, keep in mind there are people who don't even know of Trinidad. I live in the good ole USA and I am always asked if I am from Guyana or Suriname and when I proudly say that I am from T&T, some people ask where that is or others would say they thought that T&T only had africans or black people ....maybe that is why other ethnic groups should have been given a chance to show the world that T&T is indeed a melting pot as you say.
MacFarlane proved that it is
MacFarlane proved that it is ok for one distinctive race to hog the limelight when his lineup for the show included Machel, Arrow and that Opera woman, who by the way I have never heard of,if he wanted the show to be Trini all he had to do was make his lineup Machel, Rooplal Gildharry and Denise Plummer....so please don't talk about distinctive race and Trini like you know don't know that Trinidad is racist and now all the world know it because MacFarlane put it out there for them to see....duhhhh
J Maharaj Just one question,
J Maharaj
Just one question, icequeen, what do you mean by "if you dont want itto be a melting pot, it can very well be otherwise" And, honestly,your remark about 'those who clamour for their 40% share of the national pie' sounds ominously as though it is aimed at that the 40% Indo-Trini's, so who"s talking race now, in a roundabout way this time. Added to which, yes for the most part, those same 40% of the people are WORKERS who really turn out to earn their piece of the pie, I suspect you are very well aware of this. At the end of the day and all of the
talking, Macfarlane presented an African summit opening show and nothing can change that now.
Its time those Indo-Trinidadians stuck up for their
rights, its so obvious that when they do or someone like myself does it, wrath is brought down on the heads of the bold faced persons who only dare!!! Trinibone
Since you know that Trinidad
Since you know that Trinidad is a 'melting pot' then it was only right for you to say that no one culture or race should have been showcased at the summit so then the whole show was wrong and by the way have you heard of soca or soca chutney or even the steelpan...if you have then that is Trini culture.
Excuse me, do afro Trinis
Excuse me, do afro Trinis act like Trinidadians first and africans second,all you ever hear them talking about is Mother Africa some of them give their children names that even the children cannot pronounce or spell and please don't start with the Indian names because our children are not named because of India but because of our hindu and muslim religion, they even got Emancipation day before the Indians got Indian Arrival day and how many Africans in Indian Arrival day, isn't that a national festival too or is only Emancipation day important. Wake up and be honest, Indo Trinis are left out or given minimal show time at most cultural and national festivities and this goes all the way back to the Eric Williams days and people like you make it sound like it is ok for that to happen and to continue happening or like we are not happy to be Trinidadians.
The lights are on but nobody
The lights are on but nobody is home or even in the vicinity of the house!!!
Trinibone, when you quote me please do so in entirety!!! You quoted my statement "those who clamour for their 40% share of the national pie, no matter which side they are on"... You CONVINIENTLY chose to remove the "no matter which side they are on" portion to then allege that somebody made statments directed at Indo-trinis.. Are you serious? No, really are you serious? You can't be
Obeahwoman, you have quite liberal use of "they" in your post, I guess you have a lot to get off your chest about "them".. I fail to understand why in a debate on Indian inclusion at the summit opening show, you divert into groups naming their children ethnic names that can't be pronounced??? What's going on with you? How is this even REMOTELY relevant to the topic at hand?
Contrary to popular belief, other groups do exist in trinidad and tobago - Chinese, syrians, spanish, french creoles, douglas, caribs and many more.. more than the two groups who grapple and tousle for their dance in the national spotlight.. its so sad to see Trinibone alluding that only people of east indian descent work for their money... or Obeahwoman imply that somebody said that people of east indian descent aren't proud to be trinis.. sad.. grasping at straws are we?
J Maharaj Thank you Ice
J Maharaj
Thank you Ice queen, now that we are starting to get insulting the lights are definitely off!! trinibone
maybe you should take the
maybe you should take the time to go back and read your comments and then you will understand why I said what I said.