Addressing the problems of Carnival

THE EDITOR: I see that Carnival is being scorned and disdained by a lot of people in society today. I am also seeing a lot of participation in the various events. It reminds me of election time when people voted this way and that way and each felt justified in what he did. Consider if you will, the days of Carnival and the activities of the people on those days. Some people go to the various alternatives to Carnival just to get away, but a significant number of people do attend Carnival. The call to do away with Carnival by some members of the population seems pretty one sided. If per chance this happened and no Carnival then some people would be happy, but some people would miss it. Similarly, Christmas, Divali or Eid. At least half of the population should consider itself cheated.

In my view, there is nothing wrong with Carnival per se, but the problem lies with the modern interpretation of it. Some revelers feel they must dress scantily, or wax lyrical in an offensive manner or take the opportunity to do criminal acts. That is what is offensive to some people. Otherwise everyone will enjoy Carnival. If steps were taken to address these perceived offenses then my guess is that everyone will be happy. Right now I feel like the detractors, but when I look back, I can remember when I never missed a Carnival. My mother and other mothers took us to Carnival every year. We had a whale of a time and even if we had problems for transportation, we eventually reached home safely. Back then there were the detractors also, not so publicised in the media but they were there. My father used to say, “them Negro fellas go stab allyuh Indian girls.” But we never bothered with him and we walked everywhere without fear. The memories were good and I feel sure that others will agree with me.

So addressing the problems, the first one of the scanty dressers. Maybe if the police could arrest some of them for exposing their bodies, or something to that effect, that might have an effect of deterrence. That cannot obviously happen on Carnival day otherwise no Carnival. Maybe for a month or so before, start rounding them up. The owners of stores selling these revealing ‘clothes’ could also be charged for aiding and abetting prostitution or some such thing that would stick. The lyrical termites could be muzzled by extensive ongoing counselling so that whatever is eating them can be purged out of their system before the Carnival shows. The jump and wave/focus-on-my- nakedness syndrome could be helped by injecting significant doses of self-esteem into these poor attention-starved individuals. As to the third offenders, the criminals, well criminals are always criminals. So I feel that those caught before Carnival should be sent to a deserted island for the Carnival week, with no food or water and no television. Let the whole Carnival pass them by. When they come back, the bad memory will be a deterrent for the future. I might interject one offense of my own which is not publicised as such but is definitely an offense. Those organisers and co-ordinators of Carnival who always bickering and cannot come together for the common good, should be put with three or four vagrants to live for a month or so. This should teach them to co-operate with other people and stop being so high and mighty. If all these suggestions are taken and used, or if not used something equally effective put in place, then I feel sure that Carnival will once more take on the semblance of a truly treasured National Festival, which we will be proud to call our own.

SUE  SANKAR
Chaguanas