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Great Discussion, Gentlemen!
Now we’re having a real, actually enjoyable (for me) discussion! Assasin, Gamma, Mosiah, Islandman, I like the issues and the comments you’ve made, and I’m actually learning in the process.
Maudib: you have me laughing, boss. Think about this: If in the era of the Cold War the USA did not want us, do you think they will now?
Assasin: you have touched on some really major, important issues, and I hope to get a chance to give my input on those excellent points later.
Islandman: you have me laughing with your apt statement that “we are basically the ones that mash up the first Federation so there are lingering feelings so I don’t think anybody is really excited about the idea.”
But I fully share your view. In fact, for many years I’ve pondered the thought that maybe Trinidad and the other Caribbean nations have never completely forgiven Jamaica for choosing independence over federation. Certainly Eric Williams was peeved at Bustamante’s unilateral decision, as can be seen by his famous statement before withdrawing Trinidad & Tobago from the federation.
Mosiah: Jamaica’s “distance” that you mentioned is also certainly a major factor. A look at any Caribbean map, as you suggested, will immediately reveal the truthfulness of your statement as we see “lonely” Jamaica sitting “out there” all by itself (LOL). I recall an article in a Jamaican newspaper many years ago which looked at Jamaica’s geographical isolation as probably a reason why our culture has been so unaffected by calypso/soca when compared with other Caribbean nations. (I’m relying completely on memory here, but I think this was the gist of that article.)
Islandman: You are certainly correct when you write: “For good or bad our culture and influence is dominant in the English-speaking region wether the other islanders like it or not. The result is that the other islands know a lot more about Jamaicans than Jamaicans know about them.”
However, this has been changing very rapidly in recent times, thanks to that popular Caribbean channel “Tempo,” which was originally launched by MTV in late 2005. Tempo today broadcasts to over twenty Caribbean islands, and it focuses on the culture of the Caribbean in the broadest sense.
So, while initially Tempo seemed to have emphasized Jamaican culture, today it showcases the culture and lifestyles of every English-speaking Caribbean island! As a result, the music, artwork, etc. of previously unknown artists from islands like St Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, etc. are now given wide exposure across the Caribbean.
Note: I learnt (although I’m still not 100-percent sure) that MTV sold “Tempo” to Frederick Morton, Jr. (Tempo’s founder) and a group of investors. I’m not sure why Viacom (parent company of MTV) saw it fit to unload itself of Tempo.
Now we’re having a real, actually enjoyable (for me) discussion! Assasin, Gamma, Mosiah, Islandman, I like the issues and the comments you’ve made, and I’m actually learning in the process.
Maudib: you have me laughing, boss. Think about this: If in the era of the Cold War the USA did not want us, do you think they will now?
Assasin: you have touched on some really major, important issues, and I hope to get a chance to give my input on those excellent points later.
Islandman: you have me laughing with your apt statement that “we are basically the ones that mash up the first Federation so there are lingering feelings so I don’t think anybody is really excited about the idea.”
But I fully share your view. In fact, for many years I’ve pondered the thought that maybe Trinidad and the other Caribbean nations have never completely forgiven Jamaica for choosing independence over federation. Certainly Eric Williams was peeved at Bustamante’s unilateral decision, as can be seen by his famous statement before withdrawing Trinidad & Tobago from the federation.
Mosiah: Jamaica’s “distance” that you mentioned is also certainly a major factor. A look at any Caribbean map, as you suggested, will immediately reveal the truthfulness of your statement as we see “lonely” Jamaica sitting “out there” all by itself (LOL). I recall an article in a Jamaican newspaper many years ago which looked at Jamaica’s geographical isolation as probably a reason why our culture has been so unaffected by calypso/soca when compared with other Caribbean nations. (I’m relying completely on memory here, but I think this was the gist of that article.)
Islandman: You are certainly correct when you write: “For good or bad our culture and influence is dominant in the English-speaking region wether the other islanders like it or not. The result is that the other islands know a lot more about Jamaicans than Jamaicans know about them.”
However, this has been changing very rapidly in recent times, thanks to that popular Caribbean channel “Tempo,” which was originally launched by MTV in late 2005. Tempo today broadcasts to over twenty Caribbean islands, and it focuses on the culture of the Caribbean in the broadest sense.
So, while initially Tempo seemed to have emphasized Jamaican culture, today it showcases the culture and lifestyles of every English-speaking Caribbean island! As a result, the music, artwork, etc. of previously unknown artists from islands like St Kitts, Antigua, Grenada, etc. are now given wide exposure across the Caribbean.
Note: I learnt (although I’m still not 100-percent sure) that MTV sold “Tempo” to Frederick Morton, Jr. (Tempo’s founder) and a group of investors. I’m not sure why Viacom (parent company of MTV) saw it fit to unload itself of Tempo.
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