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Many calypsoes racist, anti-Indian

By LOUIS B HOMER, Express TT

Calypsoes sow the seeds of hate, racism and divisiveness as African children at school respond to racist sentiments depicted in the lyrics sung by their icons, says Dr Hari Maharajh, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry at the UWI.

Speaking at the eighth Medical Research Conference held at the Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain, Maharajh said the venom of hate of the slave masters depicted by the early calypsonians has today been redirected to other groups.

Quoting writer Earl Lovelace Maharajh said this was mentioned in one of Lovelace’s novels in which he wrote "fight the people who keeping down black people. Fight the government."

Maharajh said a survey conducted by the UWI showed that many of the calypsoes are derogatory, racist and anti-Indian causing divisions within the society.

As for the development of a Carnival mentality in Trinidad, Maharajh said, a survey done by the UWI showed that ninety two percent of Trinidadians believe that a Carnival mentality of Trinidadians is part of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

Maharajh said "a study indicates that Trinidadians are aware of a Carnival mentality and believe this Carnival-based behaviour is part of the Trinidad culture."

But Maharajh argued that "there are major benefits to be derived from this. There are economic gains, development in the creative and performing arts forms, facilitating avenues for art and craft, and increased socialisation both nationally and internationally."

Maharajh said in spite of these positives, "These factors are unfortunately not defined in the Carnival mentality."

Maharajh said two characteristics of the Carnival mentality were found in the survey, "During the Carnival season where excessive behaviour of substance abuse, immorality, vulgarity and promiscuity, lawlessness and violence abound and outside the Carnival season where there is a non-stop party mentality that is practised throughout the year with a laid back attitude to life and to work."

Maharajh also noted that the study revealed that the enthusiasm and energy devoted to Carnival are not translated at the work place.

Maharajh said the study was done but the UWI and 536 persons were interviewed on the subject.

The study showed that the Carnival mentality was conditioned early in life, with Carnival shaping the mind of the population. He said many people take the fertility element seriously because they see it as an opportunity for flirtation and extra marital affairs.

Maharajh sad the study showed that "parents become poor role models with nudity and skimpy costumes gyrating suggestively in public, participating in crude jokes, bad behaviour and jumping and waving in an inebriated and mindless state."

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Many calypsoes racist, anti-Indian
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