Chi-chi not natural

THE EDITOR: In response to the now infamous “chi-chi man’ song by Antiguan Wanskie, veteran masman Peter Minshall commented “I would like to think that we in Trinidad and Tobago are wise enough and wary enough to know that “bun the chi-chi” is the same as “lynch the nigger” and “kill the coolie.”

While I have the greatest respect for Mr Minshall as an internationally renowned artist, I would respectfully point out to Mr Minshall and like minded individuals that this comparison is completely misplaced. And it is a comparison unfortunately used often by the local gay community and its sympathisers in an attempt to equate homosexuals with heterosexuals and gain solidarity. For one thing, the words “nigger” or “collie”, disgusting as they are, are more than anything, bastardised terms used to describe something which is natural.  That is to say, an African or East Indian. Some would take it further and say that they use these terms to describe the “state of mind” of an African or East Indian.

A “chi-chi man” however, is a bastardised term used to describe something that is not natural in nature, namely homosexuals. The debate goes on ad nauseam as to whether or not homosexuality itself is a natural thing. That is a subject best dealt with by geneticists. So when some idiot hoping to get crowd reaction and participation says “bun the chi-chi,” it could never be the same as “lynch the nigger” or “kill the coolie.” As previously stated, the latter terms are used by the ignorant to refer to something which is natural, while the former “chi-chi” generally refers to something which is not natural. For my part, I like to think I am  able to make the distinction. Mr Minshall, you should be pleased!

D JENNINGS
San Juan