Cro Cro has opened up Pandora’s Box

THE EDITOR: A new ideological dimension (an ISM) has been introduced into the warped thinking of the people of TT. It can be designated as Cro-Crosim. This ideology can be safely described as a very close relative of Realism. It is normally the custom that when a person asks for your opinion, it is in reality, your support for their line of argument. As it is today, lawyers associate lying and deceit with brilliance. Politicians go for political correctness as their watchword. Most businessmen associate success with the size of their bank account. The current controversy, involving the calypso “Face Reality” is in fact a social attempt to exorcise the madness associated with the fanaticism of the almighty dollar. Calypso is, in essence, parliamentary privilege of a social nature, afforded at ground level. The actual name of the song is really more controversial than the key words “Kidnap Dem.” Rape, is in fact, kidnapping with an immediate collection of a ransom. Facing reality is not one of the high points of a Trinidadian. Stalin’s “Bun Dem” is a historical version of “Kidnap Dem,” it is only a question of semantics.

Now, my nephew was kidnapped, and on a personal note, I experienced what trauma is all about. What other words could have been used to clarify the verses of the song? Arrest dem, jail dem, bun dem. What Cro Cro sought to do, was to bring the major ills of the country to the front burner, and in fact, he got an A+ for his composition, judging from the consternation it has erupted. The key to the controversy is the words “Kidnap Dem.” I totally agree that it is inciteful to the nation at this time of crisis, but one has to agree that he successfully got the country to take note and listen, and this alone gives his composition a definite touch of class. In the calypso dictionary the term “Le Vrai” (Lavway) is French for “the truth”, and damm it Cro Cro is speaking the truth. Kidnapping in TT is organised into four categories. Firstly, one type stems from gang warfare, secondly, it is also drug related, thirdly, another is self-imposed and arranged, and fourthly, it is organised for the sake of ransom. Cro Cro did not interfere with any of the above. He is really targeting a new area, that of some, not all, corrupt politicians and businessmen.

The key word is some, and who can deny that he is wrong? This is precisely why I introduced in my first paragraph, “the warped thinking of the people of TT.”  How does the government go about bringing these corrupt people to justice, as this self-same small clique nourishes the hunger of the government? Cro Cro has just put his spreadsheet in song. It reminds me of Rudder’s song, “The Hammer,” people just did not understand it, or better still, they did not care to understand the lyrical content. That was a beautiful piece of literature. Over the years, look at all the letters written in the press by the people of TT concerning the banks, politicians, parliamentary behaviour, monopolistic attitudes of the public utilities, insurance companies, lawyers, doctors etc and those in authority just ignore the people. Cro Cro has just opened up the Pandora’s Box, and is forcing the nation to “Face Reality.” The people who are condemning the midget man are really those who are affected by the reality. I have in my possession about 50 articles and letters written about this song, and as I continually read them, the picture unfolds. It is as though fear has gripped a certain small section of the people, who still feel that we must dance to their whims and fancies, but this is 2004. People like Cro Cro must be encouraged to voice the opinions of the people.

So what, Saith must have a $30 million debt waived, Manning is asking to be absolved of a $1.2 million debt by Saith, no inquiry into Project Pride, the list is too long. The first calypsonian, Gros Jean (Big John) and his Massa Begorrah, used to take pride in poking fun at the other plantation owners, because they were arrogant and heartless towards the slaves. He was an extempo magician. The entire scenario, as it presently exists, is political in nature. When interviewed, Cro Cro explained that reporters must learn to spell, or is it a subtle political ploy. Cro Cro said that he never said Carlos, but “callous,” he never said Sadiq, but “sadist,” he never said Duprey, but “doh pray.” My cut on this controversy is “Let the young bull graze.”

DOODNATH MAHARAJ
Arima