Calypso music is known to be a traditional aspect of the Caribbean culture and heritage. This music has been associated with the days of slavery, at which time the enslaved who were voiceless, used the medium of calypso to express their feelings. History has recorded that modern calypso began in the 19th century, and particularly so, after the abolition of the slavery in 1834.
Calypsonians have emerged as the voice of the people, as they express the concerns of the people, mainly through the medium of calypso known as social commentary. Calypsonians have become a partner of trade unions and other civil society organisations, as they work together in championing the causes and interests of the people. Calypsonians resign themselves to inform, expose, sensitise and speak out against injustice, corruption and social ills. Trade union leaders owe a debt of gratitude to calypsonians, who as their ally, play a significant role in helping to preserve freedom of speech, constitutional, civil, workers’ and human rights.
Calypsonians must be respected for projecting the issues of the day and for highlighting the actions of politicians, governments and even trade unions. These range from perceived acts of oppression, the undermining of the democratic principles and process, suspected acts of corruption, the abuse of power, authority and privilege, failed representation, and such other actions that appear to be a breach of the people’s trust and confidence.
In the Barbadian context, those calypsonians who act as social commentators, are to be commended on their work in educating, voicing and calling attention to the concerns of the masses. The value of their contributions is not to be ignored, given that the revelations they make tend to arouse the public’s interest, to the extent that they induce the exerting pressure where it is required, towards influencing change of policies, behaviour or actions.
It is apparent that most modern-day calypsonians, particularly those who are engaged in social commentary, are aware of the role which they are expected to play. This is notably reflected in the content of the calypsoes they sing. Evidence of this can be drawn from the calypsoes entitled The Country Sick and Issues of the Day, sung by the Red Plastic Bag. There is also that of They want to Know sung by Bumba and the Calypso is my Weapon’ by the Mighty Gabby. These are only a few of the many that can be cited to make the point.
It is customary for persons to associate calypso with wit and humour, but for trade unionists and politicians, they should be aware that calypsonians are also in the business of capturing and researching historical information which is of interest to the welfare and wellbeing of the populace. Barbadian trade unionists would recall the experience of the 1990s, when an estimated twenty thousand workers took to the streets of Bridgetown to protest against government’s proposed 8 per cent salary cut of public officers. The events of the period came under the scrutiny of calypsonian Stalker, who in his calypso Duke of Yorke, reminded Barbadians of the pressures placed upon the government of the day, led by the then Prime Minister Lloyd Erskine Sandiford. It was the newly established Coalition of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, led by Leroy Trotman that push back on the conditions laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for funding, which had implications for the devaluation of the Barbados dollar.
When all is said and done, the calypsonians play a role in helping Barbadians to reflect on their past and in paying attention to the things that matters in the current time and space. Local trade unionists ought to be aware that with the vigilance of calypsonians, their feet are being held to the fire in providing representation, advocating and safeguarding the interests and wellbeing of the people. They ought to see that they are not in the fight alone and ought to be inspired by the calypso entitled, Slavery Done, which was sung by the calypsonian with the stage name of Commander.
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