Does Kamla, PP, and T&T Consul General Dr Tota-Maharaj condone racist calypso lyrics? apparently so.... From Facebook: Ram Jagessar https://facebook/ram.jagessar?hc_location=timeline Did you know that we Trini Indians are a bunch of dumbos and that none of us have any top talent? Thats the only inference I can draw from a racist calypso sung by one Toronto cslypsonian Connector (Joel Davis) at the TT Flag Raising ceremony in Markham Ontario (just north of Toronto). Veerse 3 of his calypso boasts that TT has many people of talent, but names only 9 black people and mobody from any of the other races. Not even prime minister Kamla!!!! See full lyrics below. Now I was present, and you can imagine I say I aint taking that so! See my letter of protest below, which is going all over the world and getting plenty support from Indians but strangely nothing from black people except accusations that I am racial for pointing out Connectors racism! I understand the Connector song has been playing in Trinidad on some WACK radio, but I havent heard of any protest from Trinidad. Check it out! And if you agree with my view of this calypso, call up Connector and give him a little advice. His number is at the bottom of this comment. Ram Jagessar Scarborough, Ontario 416-289-9088 ram.jagessar@gmail August 29, 2014 Letter to the Editor Re: Protest against racist calypso performed at Trinidad and Tobago Flag Raising ceremony at Markham Civic Centre, Ontario Canada August 28, 2014 Dear Editor, I wish to report my indignant protest against a racist calypso performed by calypsonian The Connector (Joel Davis) during the cultural program associated with the Trinidad and Tobago Flag Raising ceremony held at the Markham Civic Centre on August 28, 2014. The racism in question was in verse 3 of the calypso “52 Years of Independence” when Mr Davis in attempting to show there was talent in Trinidad and Tobago gave only the names of 9 black or African people, ignoring the other groups who make up the majority of the population of the country. Full lyrics of the calypso are copied below. It was blatant racism by exclusion to name only Penny Commissiong, Wendy (Fitzpatrick), Giselle Laronde, Hasely Crawford, Dwight York, Ato Boldon, Leslie Stewart and Keshorn Walcott of the minority African group as people with talent. For those unaware of the facts, I must say that Indians with 37.6% are the majority group in TT, Africans come second with 36.3%, followed by mixed race group with 24.2%, and Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese and Syrian Lebanese all under 1% (all figures 2011 Census). After the performance I confronted the calypsonian Mr. Joel Davis and informed him that in my opinion the calypso was racist, since it implied that no member of the non-African group had any talent that would deserve a mention in his calypso. He rejected this view and tried to suggest that I was the racial one, for doing nothing more than pointing out his racism! I told him he was the racist, as he had created the racist calypso. Next I raised the issue with two executives of Friends of Trinidad and Tobago, the main sponsors of the Flag Raising ceremony, and to their credit they saw my point and promised to look into the matter. I was not so fortunate with the Trinidad and Tobago Consul General Dr Vidya Gyaan Tota-Maharaj, who was present at the function representing the Trinidad and Tobago government. She completely ignored my comment that the calypso was racist and insensitive of the feelings of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago living in Canada. As far as I know, she has not seen the implications of a diplomat of the TT government condoning by inaction a cultural performance that falsely represents the country she is supposed to represent. I also raised the calypso issue with the representative of WINHD Caribbean, a broadcaster of Caribbean culture on Canadian television, which was advertised as a major sponsor of the Flag Raising ceremony. Regrettably, the lady in question also ignored my concerns about the racist content of the calypso, and kept saying the calypsonian had done the song at her request, and she would not appreciate any disruption of the proceedings because of the song. I told her that if the calypsonian brought any similar calypso at next year’s Flag Raising that I would make a public protest. She appeared desperate to prevent this, but gave no assurances that she would look into the content of the calypso in this year’s proceedings. I was most dissatisfied with her response, and intend to take up the matter with her superiors. Let me add that I mentioned the racist calypso lyrics to several members of the audience, most of whom agreed that the lyrics of Verse 3 were at best insensitive and ignorant, and at worst outright racist. As such they have no place in Canada, nor in Trinidad and Tobago either, as both countries boast of policies of fair representation of all ethnic groups and anti-racism. Ram Jagessar Scarborough, Ontario 416-289-9088 ram.jagessar@gmail 52 Years of Independence Could you spend a moment with me (Intro) Let me tell you bout my country T&T, T&T. Verse 1 We free from colonialism Look how far we come from T&T, T&T. People 1962 we get independent De late Doctor Eric Williams sign a treaty with England Chorus Fifty two years of independence Fifty two years oh our nation Fifty two years T7T we free Fifty two years anniversary Fifty two years oh la Trinity Fifty two years we celebrating Trinbago we celebrating Verse 2 As ah democratic country Cosmopolitan that is we T&T, T&T. As we journey on together Now and in de future Greetings from Canada With ah token of honour Chorus Verse 3 Penny Commissiong and Wendy They win Miss Universe for we T&T, T&T. Giselle Laronde she win Miss World Hasely Crawford win de gold T&T, T&T. Brian Lara and Dwight York, Ato Boldon And Leslie Stewart, Keshorn Walcott Make we know there is talent In Trinbago Chorus Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday T&T Happy Birthday to you Chorus Composed by The Connector aka Joel Davis 647-778-1866 ------------------------- Join the T&T PATRIOTS Facebook Page https://facebook/TrinidadTobagoPatriots POLICE RAPID RESPONSE - call 911 or 999 The basis of a democratic state is liberty; which, according to the common opinion of men, can only be enjoyed in such a state; this they affirm to be the great end of every democracy. One principle of liberty is for all to rule and be ruled in turn, and indeed democratic justice is the application of numerical not proportionate equality; whence it follows that the majority must be supreme, and that whatever the majority approve must be the end and the just. --from Politics (350 BCE) by Aristotle * Protect Our Children - REPORT CHILD ABUSE! 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Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:17:01 +0000
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