I can't possibly ignore it anymore - To Beyonce' or not to Beyonce' that is the question.

The whole Beyonce' scandal has completely erupted and it's now being discussed on an international scale. It is news on hip hop blogs, uk blogs, beyonce' fan blogs and blogs about the stock market. - Go figure -

The controversy only came to head just after Christmas, even though while I was there in December, it was definitely a hot topic.

In the "green" corner we have TSTT, the concert's main sponsor who so graciously incited Beyonce to support tourist activity. Never mind that her concert is the day after Carnival, never mind that it will cost $30 million, (an unofficial number), never mind that they have canceled highly anticipated annual parties and promised the international superstar, the presidential suite FOR FREE. TSTT remains non-plussed. In one Newsday article TSTT openly challenged anyone to prove that they have done more for Carnival than the TSTT corporation has; and swore their undying allegiance to the country and the festival.

In the "blue" corner, we have everybody else, from Union Workers to doubles men, abashed and appalled at the timing of the concert. They claim the show will hurt Carnival revenue (due to the $1600 tickets), diminishes the value of local talent, threatens to overshadow the "The Greatest Show on Earth" and worst of all will not significantly increase the number of tourists enough to warrant the expense.

At first I was ambivalent, unsure of whether to vote on the side of "big business" or on the side of the proletariat. My decision to simply laugh off the whole thing as just another "Carnival bacchanal" was finalized when I read this sentence on www.TrinidadandTobagoblog.com, "First, I had to find out just who the hell Beyoncé was."

This seemingly innocuous sentence by Raffique Shaw, pretty much sums up Trinidadian sentiment on fame - we don't get it. We are still under the belief system that we are all equal. This is particularly difficult concept for an American. Americans pride themselves on their notoriety. Notoriety is often tangled with wealth and privilege. This is not necessarily so in Trinidad. Plus, in a country where everyone knows everyone else - notoriety doesn't mean anything - worse yet if you have no money or talent - the last thing you want is to call attention to yourself.

In the end this whole fuss is an opportunity for Trinis to squabble about their national pride and inadvertently toy publicly with the agenda of an international icon.

Santimanitay!

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Trini expression of the day
Playin' social -To put on airs. Someone who pretends to be of a higher social strata than they are. Cote Ci Cote La- A Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary.

Is UNC reading my blog?

Sorry about the delay in posting. I was away in NY on official feting business. As the Trini fete ambassador to New York I am constantly moving back and forth in fulfillment of my sworn duty to maintain a packed party schedule. Let us on to the story.

In case you haven't noticed or are not a faithful reader(Is there an echo in here?), I use various Trinidad and Tobago newspapers as fodder for my blogs. In previous blogs I have mentioned the need for reform on the protective services and for Trinidadians to take responsibility for the future citizens of our nation namely, de youts. So, when I came across an article in the Newsday today regarding a "people's army" I was immediately intrigued.

If you promise to come back and read the rest of my blog,click here. If not, you should continue reading, come back to this paragraph later. :)

I must admit, some of what MP. Ramesh said was right on point with my sentiments...

"there must also be a mechanism in place to tap into the young people. 'As political leader I would set up machinery to concentrate on the young people. Whether it is called a shadow ministry of youth affairs or an ombudsman department for young people, I intend to examine all the problems young people face and develop strategies for them to work with us'"

Fantastic, agreed.

However, once MP Maharaj began proposing that his very presence is what made the UNC party so popular and so effective, he lost me. His persona in this article comes over like a villain sidekick who, once his master's diabolical plan is achieved, intends to assert himself as rightful ruler. As much as I agree with the fact the PNM has lost touch with the reality of life for the middle class Trinbagonian, I can't say that I believe UNC's motives are pure and unified.


Sanitmanitay!

_____________________

Trini word of the day
Mamaguy - To fool someone with smart talk or slick reasoning. To make fun of. To ridicule...From a Spanish metaphor of a fighting cock (Gallo) that fakes or pretends to charge, thereby 'suckering' (Mamar)the other rooster into bad moves. Misleading actions to set up a "sucker punch." - Cote Ci Cote La. A Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary

I love when Trinis make us proud on the international stage

While I was browsing the ultra-hot topic in T&T now which is whether Beyonce' upcoming concert should be held or not I came across this article

The article discusses Trinidadian born event planner Collin Abraham who managed to rise from what in my youth was considered very humble beginnings to rubbing shoulders with the elite of all kinds. I'm not talking about just any elite I'm talking President of the United States elite not to mention a whole host of celebrities.

The most fascinating part of Mr. Abraham's story for me was not only his apparent heterosexuality but the route he traveled to arrive at event planner to the stars.
The Trinidad and Tobago Newsday article written in 2008 states that he went to Barataria Senior Comp, then to the Prison Service followed by the Police Service.

(What?)

Collin, (yeah we on a first name basis now), then left Trinidad in 1998 to pursue a course in sound engineering in New York and ended up working part-time as a floral decorator at the Waldorf-Astoria. Then, voila` Puff Daddy wants him to work the infamous Hamptons "White Party" before you know it, Collin in de ting wit eh..verybody. Well, Yes!

You ever see ting so? It seems the most natural progression in the world the way they tell it!

My question is how do we get people like Collin to mentor the youth at home? We need Trinidadian heroes that are accessible to people. I want them to get the message that poverty and the lifestyle of poverty are not necessary, inevitable or nor worthy of pride but heart, hard work and perseverance are.


Trini word of the day
Doh Be lucky an' coward - Success comes only if you try. Cote' ci cote la - Trinidad and Tobago Dictionary