Mazlow, one of my Facebook friends and occasional adversary, loves to use that phrase by Nietzsche about staring into the abyss with eventually the abyss staring back. Our abyss is in the form of not so much failing institutions but institutions that were never set up to succeed and are …
Read More »Daly Bread: Musicians on the Titanic; looking at Trinbagonian response to our crises
In 1912, the Titanic began its maiden voyage across the Atlantic from England to New York. The ship was thought to be unsinkable—as though God was not only a Trini but was also the Titanic’s owner. Four days into its voyage, the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank with loss …
Read More »Dear Editor: Is it too much to ask for more inspirational front page photos from the media?
“Just look at the back pages of most of papers—or any of their sport pages for that matter—over the last few months. They have been packed with tons of fine T&T accomplishments. “Why, I ask, are such beautiful and proud moments such as those wasted on our back pages versus …
Read More »Daly Bread: More predictions of storm; will National Security finally include culture in crime plan?
I have to return to the prevailing conditions of instability which are obvious to me but now as a post-script to my tribute to Roland Quesnel, my revered teacher, a contemporary of mine, Randolph Peters, wrote that, like me, the person who most impacted his intellectual development was Quesnel. He …
Read More »Dear editor: Brace for Shiva fire—hoses not included! Poet pens ode to Shiva Boys
“Cross after cross, shot after shot, beat after beat; “They’re all rendered helpless as the Shiva fever stifles them with heat…” Spoken word artist and Shiva Boys Hindu College staff member, Romero Gowrie, pens a word of defiance on behalf of the defending Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions. Gowrie …
Read More »Daly Bread: Drops to clean the wounds; T&T can find inspiration in cultural ambassadors
The ill winds of deep-seated race and class divisions have blown continuously for more than a decade. Beware of them. Their velocity is increasing. This warning is not new. I wrote it in October last year. At that time I reminded readers that, for more than a decade, I have …
Read More »Daly Bread: Not pointing fingers; the problem with Amcham’s crime-fighting tips to Dr Rowley
The major business groups last week reportedly temporarily arose from their customary indifference, alarmed by the prolonged and unrestricted crime spree. In passing, it should be noted that it is apparently the rising cost of doing business in a crime-ridden environment that has set off the alarm from slumber this …
Read More »Panmen’s Plight: Gov’t treatment of steelpan mirrors broader disrespect for local potential
“They don’t want the people who made the sacrifice to control the commanding heights of our industry. They claim we can’t handle money. We don’t know how to do business. They say we don’t possess administrative skills. “But when we look at all the other businesses, especially those fortunate to …
Read More »MASTER’S VOICE: We lost Uncle Roy; tribute to late activist, Hal Greaves
“Uncle Roy […] did what he could to change the narrative and attempt to inject that feeling of self-worth that was taken out of the equation long before we even changed flags in 1962. He knew not everyone would be rescued but never did he give up. And he did …
Read More »When good people win: To T’dad All Stars, Bishop Anstey choir and late Allan Alexander
I was unable to attend the funeral of my colleague Allan Alexander SC, whom I held in the highest regard, owing to my commitment on that day to attend a meeting of a regional organisation—one on which he had also served. However, I was privileged to attend the gathering at …
Read More »Play the devil: Daly plugs new local film on sexuality, morality and socio economic power
Abigail Hadeed, the photographer and filmmaker, is my cousin. To be more precise, as her beloved grandfather and my uncle constantly reminded us, Abigail is my first cousin once removed. That is because her mother, who was born Daly, is my first cousin. I mention these relationships as a form …
Read More »How does steelpan fit in violent, troubled T&T?
Preparing a column for publication today was a difficult task because of the paradox of the visible joy when citizens congregate for a street lime but under which lies the deep grief of a murderous, contact driven and unjust society. Why are we having such a good time in celebration …
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