I am just now catching up with the goings on at CARIFESTA which took place in Barbados in August. This was a great disappointment for me. My intention was to have been there. This was to have been a stepping stone for me to return to the work I had begun with the indigenous peoples last year through serving the very necessary interests of a group I still think is counted amongst the Caribbean’s most valuable cultural assets.
Nevertheless, this was not to be; so, I’ve had to find another transport. Come January I’ll be making an announcement that should allow me to once again focus on doing my part in the region to strengthen our civilizational bonds, through supporting the church to consider her role in weaving the basket of story and song that must carry our people into the future.
Our songs and our stories define us, and this year’s CARIFESTA was perhaps our grandest celebratory expression of self-definition yet. Every single Caribbean citizen should listen to and contemplate Sir Hilary’s grand reflection on the journey we have taken to be here at the Big Talk Conversation Panel Discussion. We are that much closer to becoming the authors of our own narrative rather than vestigial peoples on the periphery of mainstream civilization.
The obstacles to such self-realisation were made alarmingly visible in Mia Mottley’s demonstration in real time of the very present danger of a recolonization utilizing modern technologies.
I have been experiencing this exact same phenomenon for years, having blogged about it on multiple occasions. Our common destiny has a present enemy and we urgently need to be aware of who that enemy is, what threat we pose them, and they us, how they operate and how we must defend ourselves. Mia brilliantly captures all that in her presentation.
If you haven’t yet watched these clips, make the time. It’s that important. And pass on the links.
YeKengalé 