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Columns : Letters to The Editor Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Kwasi Thompson on the Carnival celebrations
By Senator J. Kwasi Thompson
Apr 17, 2016 - 10:19:36 PM

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Dear Editor,

Kindly allow me a space in your newspaper to share my brief views on a topic of national importance. The Government has again spent millions of our tax dollars on Carnival Celebrations in New Providence and Grand Bahama. There has been legitimate arguments and questions whether the Government can justify spending millions on a party when our country is in crisis. Crime is spiralling out of control.  The fear of crime is at an all-time high. Public servants complain daily of not having simple necessities like paper and ink.  Our educational system despite the promise to double the investment has seen little improvement.  Poverty is up, inflation is up and wages are down. 

However, let me be the first to say Bahamian Culture deserves to be highlighted and celebrated.  It also cannot be denied that for a moment in time the Carnival has the country’s focus and attention.   We should therefore be using Junkanoo Carnival more effectively in tackling some of our serious social problems.  If we are going to party, then party with a purpose. If we are going make and celebrate music, make music with a message.

Our celebration should have a clear national positive theme.  Carnival website states “Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is not a single event:  it is a collection of celebrations, concerts culture and heritage bundled together over one epic session.”  However, it is difficult to find that one message or theme which we as a people want to highlight.

 If we are going to spend millions of dollars, to party, then it should be more than a feel good time and more than a few dollars in our pocket.

Carnival should have an annual national theme and message which is launched and taken all over the country.  This year’s theme could have been directed to a non-violence or anti-crime message.

If we are going to use expensive posters all around town and TV and radio ads why not remind the country that this country will not tolerate violence and crime. We should be reminding every Bahamian of the lives lost to violence and dedicate ourselves to preventing it. Every flag, every t-shirt and every banner should display this message.

Carnival should have a pledge.  Again if we are going to party let’s make a pledge to be committed to non-violence and anti-crime, being our neighbours keeper and dedicate ourselves to love and respect each other. 

 Our musicians should be challenged not just to make us dance but to make us think and make us better.

Junkanoo Carnival’s positive message and theme could be carried throughout our schools, throughout the business community and yes even our churches.  If the theme and message is right the churches would agree with this national message.

Junkanoo Carnival should focus on all things Junkanoo.  It should be another opportunity to invest in Junkanoo!  I would submit a part of the 7 million budget should be allocated to every school to teach, train and focus on the development of Junkanoo. 

The Government is also prepared to spend over $100,000 on foreign talent and give a $20,000 prize for Bahamians to compete for.  This in itself seems backward however, if we will invest this kind of money in a song why not provide a youth organization and civic groups an opportunity to create an innovative anti-crime/anti-violence program and agree to invest $100,000 in the best youth program.

Some may argue that what I described is not what Carnival is however, I say maybe that’s what the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival should be.

Senator J. Kwasi Thompson


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