King Astro’s achievements eclipse the calypso stage. Win or lose, the partnership with Crusader continues to demonstrate what can be achieved through discipline and collegiality. An axis of calypso creativity stretches from Bath to the Green Valley.
The outpouring of rejoicing and commendation is well-deserved. Naturally, there is an admixture of controversy about the representation of St. Kitts and/or Nevis in Anguilla. Does it matter? The Socratic line is that blood is thicker than sea water. Astro’s crown may yet read “King of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla”. Those who want to cry ... cry.
Astro and company are about the bigger picture. Economic survival for small islands depends on freedom of movement of people, goods and capital. The engine of flux is competition - in sports and culture, and for jobs and educational opportunities (prostitution too is about competition).
When sugar was king, Nevis and Anguilla people moved to St. Kitts in search of employment. Starting in the 1980’s, tourism ruled the kingdom and St. Kitts people moved to the jobs in Anguilla and Nevis. Water taxis brought scores to the Cockleshell Bay after a 1999 hurricane brought the economy of Nevis to its knees.
Indeed, St. Kitts and Nevis people vote with their feet. We follow Astro from Carnival Village to the Cultural Complex because the man is prepared to break down barriers and bridge the gaps. Thinking people will not be bogged down by historical antagonisms and opinion misleaders consumed by hatred, self-interest and lack of self-esteem.
Many years ago, Crusader sang: “There is no El Dorado out there”. There is also no pie in the sky for small-island states (independent or overseas territories). For the foreseeable future, we will endure an unfair share of burdens associated with Climate Change and the vagaries of global food, fuel and financial markets. Greater resilience, security and independence here at home will be built through the pooling of energies and resources.
The focus should be on the positives arising from Astro’s success. He is our calypso king.
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