Twenty five years ago Calypsonian Funny asked the question “How yuh feel?” at the Stag/Vat 19 25th Anniversary Calypso Competition. Vashty Maharaj was there and years later she recalled the following in the Newsday: “At the time of the first singing it elicited in me a certain contemplative mood, slightly morose, melancholy, wistful. For me there was incredible power behind the words, an invitation to look back at ourselves and see how far we have come, if anywhere at all.” Funny’s song had the same effect on me.
If we are to be truly independent, I believe we need to work on the following:
- We must feel safe and secure. (That’s a basic Maslowian human need)
- Belief in ourselves. Expat is not necessarily expert.
- Our education system rewards answers rather than questions.
- Our education system focuses on quantity rather than quality.
- We do not encourage dissent. Supreme leader syndrome lives in government and private enterprise. With this method, we better be sure we have super bright leaders.
- We need a mind transfusion to get rid of the dependency on Government by individuals and organizations and the feeling of entitlement.
- Laws must be enforced.
- We need to take care of our environment.
- We need to recognize the power of sport, art and culture. No current or past politician will be remembered 50 years from now, but Kitchener and Lara will be.
- We need to take care of the weakest among us: the poor, disabled, aged.
What you think Funny? How yuh feel?
