Junkanoo....The Strongest Political Force in The Bahamas

Junkanoo

The  STRONGEST political FORCE in the Bahamas.

 

Dear Sir, please allow me …….

It is amazing how members of the Bahamian Junkanoo Community can mobilize, excite, and thrill a small little nation known as the Bahamas for two separate days of parade celebrations. These parades add the necessary ingredients and substance to make what we affectionately refer to as a “Bahamian Christmas” and a “Bahamian New Years” Celebration. Imagine the Christmas holiday season in the Bahamas without Junkanoo.  

 

It remains astonishing that from August 1^st, through to January 1^stof the following year, young men and women become discipline myrmidons and become so engaged and focused on every aspect of the preparatory process for Junkanoo; “The Shack” becomes a cultural web shop and a University of higher social and cultural development. If only The Department of Social Services can study the social interaction in Junkanoo “Shacks” during those periods, they can prepare themselves as this experience offers a microscopic view of our nation, and the key performance indicators of our culture under one roof.  Historically, crime in the island of New Providence in particular, decreases when the Junkanoo Shacks are fully operational, so I would think that the police department would by now partner with the Junkanoo community to assist in providing a panacea to this plague that is destroying our nation. The young men and women who participate in Junkanoo become national heroes overnight and are praised sometimes by the politician, sometimes by the religious community, and sometimes by other relevant stakeholders in our country who experience first hand the flavor and force of Junkanoo.

 

On January 2^nd, or shortly thereafter, it is unfortunate that many of the  productive Junkanoo participants  end up doing the “bank lane shuffle” and find themselves in debt and many with their lights off at home. Suddenly, they find all communication cut off from many members who they basically lived with for the last five to six months.  Some of their parasitic leaders disappear and members of their respective groups who transported these faithful young participants and provided their daily meals during the Junkanoo period, suddenly become incommunicado with no minutes on their cell phones or a different cell phone number. In their desperation dealing with life’s reality, some just disappear until next August or return to Fox Hill prison.  

 

In my Thirty plus years of participating in Junkanoo, I had the opportunity to sit in the company of many “real” Junkanoo icons and stakeholders. As I listened yearly to these iconic figures expressed their uncanny and rational realities about the future of Junkanoo, so often discussion erupts about the marginal respect, and the often condescending disrespect that some persons in the various Government Ministries, and I dear say appear to be supported by some Ministers from time to time, have adopted this behavior as a benchmark towards many Junkanoo participants when partnering, pursuing and or developing cultural initiatives and activities. Many Government Ministries and relevant individuals holding office in these Ministries make the mistake by discounting the intellect and capacity of Junkanoo participants because of the intense judging controversies that seem to erupt every year after every parade. They continue to underestimate the underlying force and the masses of people that Junkanoo has in its power that can be mobilized quicker than any disciplined uniformed force in the Bahamas. I urge them not to think that Junkanoo does not contribute nothing to this country, it can contribute more if the proper funding is made available so that Junkanoo will one day be able to generate sufficient revenue to support itself and reduce government funding at first, and eventually eliminate the subsidized financial support from the Government.

 

The time has come for Junkanoo leaders, the entire junkanoo community, and the directors of Junkanoo to understand that this cultural centerpiece of all things Bahamian is one of the most powerful political forces in this country IF UNITED, and all groups must combine their forces, similar to the Baptist community, the Trade Unions, the “now” Haitian community, and other institutions that used their force in the quest of gaining political influence  to advance their interest, equality and or justice.  Junkanoo can and has shaped many political decisions while bringing about a level of respect to each person who participates. It is amazing to watch the Elizabeth constituency bi-elections and to see how some politicians undermine the Bahamian people. They make time to go and speak to many illegal immigrant communities throughout a certain part of the island pandering for votes and addressing their concerns and issues for the moment, many might get legalized overnight for one purpose. This is done because politicians realize the voting power that has emerged in these communities and politicians seek to exploit by whatever means necessary. What they should also consider in the quest for votes, is those very children of illegal immigrants to the Bahamas have contributed, participated and have been members of many respective Junkanoo groups in the Bahamas.

 

Notwithstanding the Hotel Union and other Unions that are apart of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) or CTUC, Junkanoo is the largest UNION in this country not recognized by the law.  Although participants in “The Junkanoo Union” do not pay dues, nonetheless they pay a higher human price with loyalty, love, dedication, creativity, blood, sweat and tears which in my opinion is priceless. 

 

I urge leaders to put down the competitive “swords” and collectively get the best minds to come together and bring about the change that is necessary to harness the power that Junkanoo generates.

I urge all the groups individually and collectively to compete only on Bay Street but not in the corporate board rooms.  Junkanoo at this juncture survived many of the negative media attacks, the stereotypical views of an illiterate individual making noise in the streets, the “Judases” within its ranks, the opportunistic business parasites that now see opportunities to exploit revenue streams generated by the very essence of this craft. Junkanoo can emerge when groups respect each other irrespective of size or wins, Junkanoo can engineer fundamental changes in the Bahamas by its very nature when forces combine on relevant issues of importance that can and will effect positive change in our country. Junkanoo participants and leaders especially, must finally wake up and realize that there is strength in numbers. Many in government may not listen to you now, but combine your numbers and you will certainly get their respected attention as democracy only wins when supported by the majority.

Junkanoo participants must realize that they have the ability to change political parties in this country; they have the ability to force the politicians to listen to the power of the people. Junkanoo must position itself now to be the most powerful political force in the Bahamas. It’s not about two days of “rushing” on the calendar, it’s about being an architect of new ideas and forcing what is not only right but best for the Bahamas. When an organized respected group of people are united, they will always influence who remain in power.

 

Anthony U Bostwick

Comments

[Rhawli]

Cuz,
You have definitely missed your calling. You should be representing Elizabeth right now if not Grants Town. But I'm biased.

IMO, junkanoo has always been a love of mine. I am a junkanoo junkie eventhough I don't participate any longer. From a socio-politcal perspective (the establishment), junkanoo is a live minstrel show financially backed and supported to lull the masses into a deep intoxicating sleep for another year while the establishment steals and rob the country blind. They need this rejuvinating tool (Like Badedas) to keep the average Bahamian in the bowels of the ship rowing those long oars all year long. Nothing has changed from Colonial times (Take ya two days and go back where ya come from).

Junkanoo is a political force for the estabishment. Anywhere you go, T&T, New Orleans, Brazil, it's the same. An extravagant display of creativity and artistry that embodies the potential of a people never to be realized outside of a day or two.

Your vision is bold and need I say brilliant. Unfortunately you're one of us. An average Bahamian with a whole lot to offer and no opportunity to make a difference.

[differences between men and women]

It was highly contagious.
--It came on very suddenly and killed very quickly. It was said that
an infected person could be "dancing at nine o'clock and dead by
eleven."
--It was, as the name suggets, characterized by a high fever and sweating.
--It wasn't the plague, and it wasn't smallpox.

[Bahamas Vacation]

Bahama New Year and Christian day is one of the two most biggest festival in the whole Bahama.But in these days everyone from upper from lower have to enjoy and refresh themselves.So political influence is not accepted here.

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