|
Last week, two educators, Minister of Education Ronald Jones and principal of the Garrison Secondary School, Matthew Farley, made a call for more attention to be paid to the Crop-Over Festival. Farley said he would “shut it down” so a serious analysis could be done, to allow for a more developmental and positive festival. He said most of the music released which he has heard “all suggest smut, lewd and suggestive lyrics”. Minister of Education Ronald Jones, days after, said he believed something was wrong if society has to “delve into the seedy side” and say it is a “reflection of culture”. The Sunday Sun turned to Facebook, the social networking site, to get the views of various people. Here are some of the edited comments shared when asked if they believed the festival should be put on hold for a few years to allow for a revamp? David How do you put a national festival on hold? Does Mr Farley mean that the people whose livelihood depend of festivals, companies who exist because of the festival, individuals like bandleaders and fete promoters who survive from Crop-Over be put on hold?? We need to employ people who understand the culture and who have a working experience of carnivals. Cheryl I don’t believe it should be stopped. I do think we need the stakeholders to have more input. This festival has a history and it should be celebrated. Why would Mr Farley want to take this away? The festival is also linked to our tourism product. Do you really want to turn away that valuable foreign exchange, Mr Farley? What is your alternative? Sharon One of the problems with Crop-Over is that too many people want to make money without investing anything into the product. Crop-Over is our national festival but unlike other countries in the Caribbean most of our population does not see it as such. In other countries most of the population eat, breathe and sleep their festival. We either see it as a distraction, an avenue to make money or a nuisance. That is why there are so many issues. Everyone wants someone else to do the work while they reap the benefits. Until the musicians, band leaders, DJs and Government, see this as our life, everything will continue to be in shambles. Adrian I cannot agree with Mr Farley on this. Crop-Over does need some work in that it really should not be a mini Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. I believe it should reflect more of Barbados. However, I think events like Foreday Morning, Kadooment are events that excite people and make the festival, so to stop them would be foolhardy. I would suggest that more money be put into community-based Crop-Over events. Also, ensure that more airplay is available for Crop-Over music and involve the children more through cultural competitions. Dean Crop-Over is evolving along with the society that created it. It’s a reflection of us all. I would imagine that eventually we will see this festival in a different guise which will be reflected in the music and the way in which we celebrate it. I personally think that the quality of the music needs some improving and we could do with some more thought-provoking commentary. Carlos The problem is not Crop-Over, it is society. If the smut and nonsense passing for music was not being embraced by the public, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. We need to deal with the real issue which is falling standards and values in all aspects of society, it would appear. If the artists are producing “smut” as these reactionaries are claiming, it’s simply because they’re reflecting the society and catering to what the majority responds to. The deeper issue is who is controlling the airwaves and what is allowed to reach the public. There is a lot of wholesome material out there. Wayne Art and music are reflections of who we are as a society. I am amazed that Mr Farley can only deem it necessary to identify the negatives of Crop-Over, while omitting the many careers that are dependent on this festival. Why can’t we continue to examine the issues of the festival and see it as a perpetual work in progress. Michelle The problem is not Crop-Over, it is the personalities involved. The festival moved away from the people and became a commercial venture when bands were allowed to import costumes. There is no need to stop Crop-Over. However, for it to survive the heels of progress, it needs to go back to the community. l Compiled by Carol Martindale. |
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 11 July 2009 00:02 ) |