Fuad fries ‘Chinee Parang’

However, in an immediate response, Joseph yesterday told Newsday, “Fuad Khan could say what he want. Everyone who has heard the song totally love it and have no problem with it.”

Khan yesterday issued a public statement of condemnation.

“A number of people sing and dance to the tune, yet they have little regard for the fact that those of Chinese origin are being referred to in a derogatory manner, just the same way as others refer to Afro Trinidadians by the ‘N’ word and to Indo Trinidadians by the ‘C’ word,” Khan’s release stated. Khan said the word ‘Chinee’ has the same connotation as the ‘N’ word and ‘C’ word.

“I call on the honourable Prime Minister to issue a statement calling for a ban on this word, much in the same way that the late Dr Eric Williams did with respect to the other words in the 1970s,” Khan said. Khan contrasted the song with the granting of a public holiday this year to mark the Bicentennial anniversary of the Chinese arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I call without hesitation for the banning of the song ‘Chinee Parang’ and for the Prime Minister to issue clear guidelines for the peaceful co-habitation of all races within our twin island Republic.”

Told what Khan said in the release, Joseph pointed out that the smash hit was released since last year and got such a tremendously positive response that Joseph won the 2006 Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) award in the ‘Soca/Parang of the Year’ category.

“I sang this song last year at the Chinese Association and not one person Chinese or otherwise had anything negative to say about the song,” Joseph added.

“If Khan is so upset, why doesn’t he ask for Kenny J’s ‘I want meh brush’ song banned? What about ‘Cyah go fuh cane,’ why can’t he ask for this song to be banned or what about Marcia Miranda’s ‘Ah Give him a roast fowl,’ why he don’t ask for that to be banned,” Joseph asked. Joseph said he is not deterred by Khan’s criticism of the song and in fact is moving full steam ahead with the 2006 Christmas Season releasing three new songs — “Ra Musica,” “Doh tackle meh” and “For cable.”