• Latest
“Groove’’ is Calypso’s best chance of going international like Reggae

Project Grenada Through the Calypsonian’s Eyes

7 years ago
A Myriad of Complaints Follows the Opening of Grenville Bus Terminal

No increase in bus fares

2 mins ago
Irrigation schemes to improve agriculture sector on sister isles

Irrigation schemes to improve agriculture sector on sister isles

1 hour ago
PM Mitchell to attend agri-investment forum in T&T

PM Mitchell to attend agri-investment forum in T&T

5 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 17 August 2022

10 hours ago
Vacancy: Accountant

Vacancy: Accountant

21 hours ago
New PWU president’s vision to unite and empower members

PWU disturbed by reports of dismissals and transferring of members

22 hours ago
RGPF

Accused of multi-million dollar drug charges to stand trial

22 hours ago
Ministerial Complex Workers Relocating

Carriacou Covid Economic Support Secretariat Office relocated

1 day ago
Higher Gas Prices for March 2014

Gas prices for August 2022

1 day ago
CDB officials visit Carriacou

CDB officials visit Carriacou

1 day ago
Layne Wins Table Tennis Easter Open Tournament at PWU

GTTA stages ITTF Level 1 Certificate Coaches Workshop

2 days ago
RGPF

Man charged with Possession of Illegal Firearms

2 days ago
NOW Grenada
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Project Grenada Through the Calypsonian’s Eyes

This story was posted 7 years ago
6 June 2015
in OPINION/COMMENTARY
5 min. read
Arley Gill
Share

By Arley Gill

So often in a society, cultural performers articulate a vision and speak from the heart and soul of their people. Many times they are dismissed and not taken seriously. In Grenada’s case, the music of our calypsonians is appreciated and essentially has become folk songs. However, we need to digest the songs’ messages and heed their advice. I think Prime Minister Keith Mitchell was doing just like me — listening to “good, good kaiso music,” when he felt inspired to call for “Project Grenada.”

In the past I have given my full and unqualified support to the Prime Minister’s concept of “Project Grenada”. I did so because I am convinced, that it is time that our political leadership gives some serious philosophical and practical leadership in uniting the people of our country. Thus, I was excited when the PM made such a call for unity; and, more so, in some concrete ways demonstrated the unity he spoke of.

The critics couldn’t help themselves. They said I was an NNP and a Peter David lackey. They couldn’t appreciate that I simply agreed with the PM because I was of the same conviction. In Grenada if you support the government of the day you are a supporter, if you disagree then you are the opposition. When we speak of political maturity it is just lip service; we do not appreciate ‎when it genuinely takes place.

I am not one that makes apologies for my political views; far from it. However, I wish that persons would appreciate sincerity when they see it. This concept of “Project Grenada” is merely the PM’s approach. But, the substance of that concept was long expounded through our music and our calypsonians.

For example, Cecil “Flying Turkey” Belfon gave that subject extensive treatment in his calypso, “Grenada still belongs to we’’. Turkey sings as follows: “For Grenada’s sake we have no choice but to unite, and let those who dwell among us without sin cast the first stone‎. Show me a man who has not done wrong, each one want to blame his adversary and hide his own fault. Well, tell me, how long this game can go on? Where is the love and unity?”

He goes on, “The evils that were done we contemplate every day; yet the good deeds we quickly hide away‎. But if the right hand get a cancer the whole body feels to pain; so we must gather strength and start building our home again… Like crabs in a barrel we keep pulling each other down… Let us reconcile differences and try unity; it is a duty, our responsibility.”

Turkey is, in essence, saying the same things I hear the PM is saying today. He continues: “We want to rebuild the Spice Island free of dr‎ugs, war and corruption. Politicians, please I say, abandon your power play, work towards the dawning of a new day. The world economy is unhealthy and that is true; bigger nations sneeze and we catch a flu.”

I find Turkey’s words are relevant today as when his tune was sung two decades ago, with the lyrics: “Where is the love, where is the unity, we have to realize the Spice Island comes first.” It is the same thing that “Project Grenada’’ is about.

Even before Turkey, Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell OBE, had proclaimed: “Ah want to tell everybody I’m so proud of my country; doh care wherever I maybe I say Grenada belongs to me; no country in this world could do the things that my country will do for me… Grenada is such a paradise, but a lot of folks doh realize; if we learn to pull we hand, do the little we can, we could make Grenada a better land’’. Isn’t that what Project Grenada is all about?

Randy Isaac in his classic song, “Oh Grenada”, sings: “I devote my heart, my body and my soul; I stretch forth my helping hand to help you out… I will be right here by your side, with my arms around you to wipe your weeping eyes‎”. He affirms repeatedly that he will never let Grenada down. Patriotic words which, to my view, form the core commitment of the Grenadian people to their country.

Elwyn McQuilkin OBE, in his seminal work, “Oh Grenada”, brings out the resilience and the character of our people when he sings: “Now we shall know who serious ’bout struggle by those who show they could rise‎… with patriotism and dedication for our reconstruction. Oh Grenada, land of my birth, the way you suffer; oh, how it hurts; those tribulation you had to bear will make superman one to despair; but the blood of our martyrs must not be shed in vain; oh, no, we must rise and shine again’’.

So, for all these years calypsonians are singing about Project Grenada; no one said they belonged to any party. It is years of listening and digesting these wonderful calypso compositions that inspired my support for Project Grenada. If you ask me, the politicians have joined the party late. The concept of Project Grenada existed long before the PM’s announcement. He only found a simple phrase to put it all together.

This concept of all for one and one for all, clearly is not about a party or politician. It is about us, as Grenadians. Therefore, constitutional reform and the drafting of a national development plan are about us, as a people. It is so sad to see persons playing political football with these nation-building projects.

I have a suggestion for the powers that be: those songs I have quoted here must form the theme songs of these national projects. We must not wait for independence to play and sing them. In every consultation, in every meeting, these songs must be played — during and after each session; and in every tea break.

Play them, if only to remind Grenadians that patriotism and nation building cut across every political divide.

We really have to unite to build our country.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
Tags: ajamuarley gillcalypsocecil belfonedson mitchellelwin mcquilkinflying turkeykeith mitchellpoliticsproject grenadarandy isaac
Next Post
Rotaract & SPECTO Bathway Coastal Clean Up

Join the Cleanup

Comment on post Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.