By TC Phipps-Benjamin
Several years ago, Dr. Thelma Phillip Brown, psychologist, spiritual motivator, former political candidate, social activist, wife, mother, and conscientious national treasure, penned an article entitled ‘Wither the Festivals’.
In her article, Dr. Browne opines that the social fabric of our small and very fragile communities has become so callously unwoven, that we now seemingly hang by mere threads, waiting only to wither away if we do not find meaningful ways to carefully and craftily re-weave our once flourishing society.
Having experienced firsthand the efforts of Cuban citizens in using their national festivals to display the cultural and historical aspects of that nation, Dr. Brown suggests that we must consider altering the way we currently conduct ourselves, whether it's during our National Carnival, Culturama, Music Festival or any other locally staged festival.
If it is that many of our festivals - initially intended to bring communities together - have so woefully withered away, and if for argument's sake Dr. Brown is correct, then it follows that festival organizers ought to now re-focus their efforts on developing initiatives that will address some of the social ills that have managed to plague our communities or else do away with these festivals outright.
In our Federation, it's not very difficult to name the festivals that have been born and buried, revived and yet completely withered away. Various factors have attributed to these downward spirals, including migration, death, loss of interest, economic challenges and a steady increase in crime, among others. It seems our festivals must positively reflect the evolution of our society in order to be successful and truly impactful in our various communities.
When robbery, petty crimes and homicides become the order of the day, citizens take very little interest in celebrating community or gearing up for reverie.
When a neighbour is grieving with a violated neighbour or when a bereaved mother mourns the loss of her lone son or daughter, which festival can attract the interests of these victims?
For our festivals or celebrations that focus on "community spirit" to withstand the test of time, it seems incumbent upon organizers to devise programmes or activities that focus more on individuals and community enrichment rather than just the jam in a band and rum in hand.
Before we were relentlessly overrun by innovations in technology, we took great pride in community first. We found value in the fish fries, the group outings, the walkathons, the tea parties, the dominos, the card and board games, the folk songs and story-telling, the sports rivalries, the hikes, the kite flying, the village beautification contests and more.
These and other activities presented great opportunities to unify us as communities. How can we find a medium to bring our communities together despite the wave in technology, which also has its place in society? Is it at all possible for our community festivals to be reshaped with a view to uplift our people, particularly our youth? Can we continue to hold on to these festivals that flourish only briefly, then wither away year after year?
Withering festivals are not just an indication of less money and less enthusiasm. They also symbolize the decay in community togetherness. It is a tell tale sign that things have changed and often times, not for the better.
Dr. Browne saw firsthand the importance of young and old connecting during her visit to Cuba. What can we learn from the Cubans and other countries that would breathe new life and purpose in our festivals, our communities, and ultimately our twin-island nation?
Almost fifteen years ago, Patricia ‘Ann’ Liburd saw a need to unify residents in her hometown of Cayon and its nearby villages. Out of her vision, great experiences evolved including a budding camaraderie, a discovery of hidden talent, a showcasing of enviable skills, and a promising array of brilliant leaders.
Fifteen years has also brought loss and disappointment to the village of Cayon and its closely knit environs. Time and again, organizers have sunk to their lowest, yet have somehow managed to resuscitate themselves and hold on to Anna's vision.
The beloved Brenda Burroughs was a quiet but powerful force, who, like others before her, helped to navigate those plans that repeatedly demonstrated hard work in the spirit of community. She has left a legacy that others can only emulate and graciously pass on.
Today, here sits a community on the threshold of rediscovering itself. It is a community pleading for stalwarts of the past and those with influence today to sacrifice a mere portion of their time, energies and. resources to say, "Anna, you were not flawed in your attempts to revive Green Valley. It is we who have failed to re-commit to finding and fostering the ‘community pride’ that we so endeared before ‘things’ changed. WE WILL continue your legacy.”
So long as we can return to the source that helped our community embrace Anna's vision, then maybe, just maybe, another festival won't soon wither away, but rather blossom with a new energy that speaks to the upward, progressive movement of our people, not those things that tear us down.
See Dr. Brown's article at: http://sknvibes.com/Commentary/Index.cfm/68
