A friend ask me, what he thought was a simple question, and when I answer him, he vex with mih. He say I too controversial for he. So I must be a robot. I must not think for myself. I must think what they want me to think, and say only what they want to hear.

The man asked mih, what I think of the 2008 – 2009 budget presentation by the Minister of Finance Karen Nunez – Tesheira, in the house of Representative of Trinidad and Tobago?  And my answer to him was, Black Stalin could scarce have said it better when he sang Mr. Divider. Where he stated the fact that “Oil money come, and Oil money go, yet Black People remain on Pavements and Ghettoes.

I have listened to Trinbagonian at every walk of life, comment and complain about the adverse effects this budget would have on them. I shear their sentiments, and felt a deeper sense of hurt as some one with in the bowels of culture. At Pan Trinbago, we sat and listened, and heard no mention made about an allocation towards the development of Arts and Culture. Or is it that Culture is suddenly best represented in the G-Pan/National Steel Symphony, the Devine Echoes, and the intended setting up of an eighty (80) piece Philharmonic Orchestra. Or, maybe is all of the above and Carnival.

We who have dedicated our very lives to the Culture, knows that it is the very soul of our people. That people, where ever they find themselves in the world, under what ever conditions, find freedom of spirit in songs, music and dance. And this is never controlled or dictated too, by any government or agents thereof. Arts and Culture are always encouraged and supported so that it brings out the beauty and creativity of its people.
Suppression of this expression, this freeing up of the spirit in mankind, can only lead to conflict.

In this Oil Rich Economy where projects are on longer budgeted for in millions but billions, we expect that part payment of our Royalties would reach us in the form of realistically sustainable allocations towards the development of our Arts and Culture. This must not be manipulated and controlled as a political tool under the “who is not with me is my enemy and dust will be “syndrome. As a matter of fact, there should be no political influence or interference in Arts and Culture. This should be Governed by an Independent body of people drawn from amongst the different interest  groups, and funded out of the appropriation bill and good cooperate citizens from around the world, who understand and appreciate the role of Arts and Culture in the life of a people.

If the stake holders must embrace the 2020 vision that we are all aspiring to achieve, spite and bad mindedness must not cloud the way. People placed in position of services must stop acting like demi-gods going about sowing seeds of division and confusion and talking about who will survive and who will fall under their weight. Maybe, just maybe some people forgetting that the Culture is bigger than the man, and it has been proven time and time again, that those who sort to destroy, they themselves shall first be destroyed.
Culture must never be or made to be a beggar’s maid in this land of plenty. No group of esteem functionaries must be allowed to sit and decide who would get a shear of the Cultural Pie, and who will not. Service to mankind is a sacred gift from the creator, it’s not a position one should abuse lease they suffer the wroth of god. You see, when to evil mortal bend their will, how soon they fit instrument of destruction. Culture should never be a victim, hence the reason we are requesting that an Independent body be establish so that Cultural groups may not feel they are victims of political spite. An allocation for Arts and Culture must be appropriated just like Health and Education and all other bodies in the budget. I rest my case. 

Michael L Joseph.
Public Relations Officer
Pan Trinbago
World Governing Body for Steelpan.