Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-14

2014-FEB-17-1919Hrs

We do not have to agree on a lot of things!

What is important is to put ideas out there for folks to ponder, process and perceive!!!

Vbyz Kartel, Movado and others of that ilk, are artistes that the young folk listen to religiously in and out of the Carnival Season!!

These are not calypsonians though! But they have tremendous airplay and are a great influence on the youth

My point is that unless we face the reality of the lyrics behind the great and infectious musical beat/tempo and get our youth to examine them critically, we shall not teach self respect effectively. Music and lyrics are facts of life! Ignoring them does not change the effects!!

Our world is controlled by all forms of media and music videos, CDs, DVDs MP 4s and modern phones all transfer all kinds of products that raise more than the proverbial eyebrows.

So 'Red Light District', Cassie's I want to be the 'Normal Man', Super Blue's 'Spanking' or any other calypso raw or replete with double entendre must be placed in the context of art (like it or not) and critiqued accordingly.

Thanks so much for allowing me to comment and engage!

Do have a happy and safe Carnival!

Gabriel

Sunset Villa

'71 - '73

Gabriel V Cumbermack 73

RE:

2014-FEB-08-2029Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

My condolences to Rodney's family.

On Friday morning, Linda Edwards called me to express her sympathy on the passing of my brother.

I know of two other Mausicans named Rodney: Rodney Charles and Mc. Donald Rodney.

Please clarify which Rodney had a death in the family.

My brother, Ashley, is alive and well in Houston.

As usual,

Rodney Foster, 66-68

RE: That Red Light District

2014-FEB-06-2225Hrs

I was really touched by the responses of the people who commented on my piece, and Anna Maria's about th red light district. Merle Howe, with whom I lunch once a month said she laughed a lot t how I tied in the Jean and Dinad part.

I live for good writing, and compliments get me going.

Now when I worked in Antigua with the Caribbean Family Planning Association, I not only designed training programs for nurses in the field but did workshops for teens, using socio-drama. What would have been long lonely evenings in a hotel room became filled with good works.

Socio-drama: Take an issue and design a skit around it, that the students get to enact, sometimes in mime. Then use the skit as a discussion piece.

I had done one featuring a school sports meet, where the students of a particular school are in the stands cheering their runner to victory. Sitting among them, out of uniform, is a very pregnant girl whose uniform could no longer fit. As she watches the winner breast the tape, she turns to her friend and says tearfully "You know, in practice meets, I use to clock a better time than hers." The other girl say "Oh yeah". The preganant girl says "Yes, really. I guess I threw all that away now." This led to a discussion of how an untimely pregnancy leaves you stuck in poverty.

Those who want to help can design these to fit many situations. The critical thing is the discussion that follows.

At Arima Girls Government School, in 2007,(I was astudent there for one term in 1955) I did a story reading for the pre-exam class, in that time while the school year is ending, exams are done and they are sort of in  limbo.It's a story I created called" "Monsters In The High Grass"

A simple story about chickens that did not listen to their mother, until a mongoose almost got them. Then we dicussed other kinds of monsters. I remember one girl of ten or so asking a very pertinent question."Miss, what do you do if you have to take taxi home, and there may be a monster in the taxi" So we talked of Never getting into one where there were alreadya two men. Waiting next to an older female who could be your mother, and taking a four seater, in the front seat, so you could control the door. We taked about NOT following messages your mother sent by someone, unless your mother trusts that person, and NEVER opening the house door to strangers unless the houe is on fire.

Those children wanted that information. We went well beyond the hour that I had asked for, and other students, ending their class, came and joined the group. That was seven years ago.

We need to stop wringing our hands and start writing skits for children that will address the problems.

I used socio-drama at Telco also, to train and retrain staff.

I think its the best way. Go for it!

Linda E.Edwards

RE: Gabriel Cumbermack's comments.

2014-FEB-06-2204Hrs

I did not agree with Gabriel's comments. He is saying that an educator should "embrace the literary opportunity to have students analyze lyrics, discuss the messages therein" when a song is controversial. He is far off the mark here.

I have posted stanzas from Red Light District. And here are some excerpts which the educator can use to  stimulate literary competence in her students--according to Gabriel. I attach some imagined dialogue:

Excerpt 1. "Somebody give me a riddim to activate the waistline on the feminine gender now please"

Miss: "Children what do you think the composer is saying here?"

Little Johnny: "But miss, I ent see no subtlety there??

Excerpt 2. "Rotate dem spine"

Miss. "Children what is this retort to rotation about?" Gimme some literary meaning."

Little Pamela. "Miss dat sound like wining to me. Like las year."

Excerpt 3." When soca play and dem gyal shake dey bumpa

Every man say dey activate de lumber"

Miss. "Children, please analyze dis, and no giggling please. Look for the subtle meaning."

Little Francis. "Miss  ah think dis is ah example of self explanatory. The singer  torking bout de man lumber.

Scratchy

Song

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bunji Garlin - Red Light District (lyrics)

Bunji Garlin - Red Light District

(Intro)

"Somebody give me a riddim to activate the waistline on the feminine gender now please

rrrr, Ha

Rotate dem spine

Dis time

Hey

(Chorus)

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye ah when she flip and den she buss de split

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

(Verse 1)

Ha, Well every man like a woman with skills

Take yuh cheque, big money and change them to singular bills

And when she talk to you with those hips

She make you wanna tip, tip, tip, tip, lawd is like a woman that strip, ha

When soca play and dem gyal shake dey bumpa

Every man say dey activate de lumber

Nuff man go sneak out, some try to reach out

Come backstage to get de phone number, rrrr

This gyal too sweet, she just too damn sweet

Jungle fever & suburban meet

Ah feel like I on Bourbon Street

She make me ball

(Chorus)

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye ah when she flip and den she buss de split

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

(Verse 2)

Ha, well any woman that could play de role

Vertical, horizontal once she could handle de pole

And every man like pattern and style

We love it when dey get wet, wet, wet"

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-06

2014-FEB-06-2118Hrs

Theodore, Maria, I would like to share with you the work being done by the "We are Better Youth Movement (WABY) comprising some 65 young people from the community of Ovid Alley near Despers Pan Yard, Laventille. Led by its Founder, Nichola Harvey and Advisor, Dr. Claudia Harvey former Education PS, we are currently coming to the end of the first cycle of a curriculum on Entrepreneurship in three age clusters viz. 4 - 7; 8-11; and 12 +. The next session is being delivered by a male mentoring group. It would be good to talk with you all further, and any other Mausican interested.

Continuing On the Way to the 'Green Light District'!

Gwendoline Peter-Williams 69

Re: Darnet Lukes' funeral

2014-FEB-06-0917Hrs
Dear Errol,
I am just sharing these photos of the mini reunion at Darnet's funeral.
May he rest in peace.
Angela Cato-Ifill 1965-1967

RE: Fitz James Williams

2014-FEB-05-0807Hrs

I just got off the phone with Mr. Williams and I am so happy that I made the call. He took quite a while to come to the phone but I just knew that he would not be able to move as fast as he used to and so I waited. His voice is as strong as ever. He told me that he will be 98 years of age on March 5. Why I am so glad I made the call is because he kept saying 'you made my day; this is a good start for the day.' He also kept asking me - 'how you manage you call me?' and I got the impression that he does not get that many calls. He is as lucid as ever and his memory is quite good. So, my fellow Mausicans, take some time off your busy schedule and give Fitzie a call at 662 7772. You will definitely make his day.

Pearl Yvonne Mulrain 69

RE: Change of address

2014-FEB-02-0101Hrs
Hi Everyone,
Grateful that you use the following address to send email to Marie-Louise Reid
felicelouise@gmail.com
Thanks
Marie-Louise Felice-Reid 69

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-JAN-30

2014-FEB-01-2027Hrs

Hi, Rodney how are you?  Really saddened by the recent passing of your brother.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  There are many Mausicans who are going through the pain of losing a loved one, but I am sure that we  are all comforted by the knowledge that we are surrounded by the support of our Mausica family.  

Just to clarify, Davis Charles married Yolande, not Monica. Not sure if her maiden name was Davis, I think not though. Can't remember her maiden name.  Maria Mora

Anna Maria Mora 70

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-JAN-30

2014-FEB-01-1422Hrs

Fellow Mausicans,

There is much pain pulsating from our nation these days and I agree that there is need for prayers, plenty, plenty prayers. But with the prayers must come practice, teaching practice. We must continue to use the chief tool of our vocation, our spoken words. One of the saddest situations we face in our country today is that many adults are now afraid to speak to young people about the wrong they see them doing. I am among the first to admit that times are different and that there is need for caution, but there are necessary risks that we must take if we desire improvement. We meet our children every day; we meet them everywhere. We must continue to whisper the warnings to them. We must remind them of the choices they can make. They are most our precious assets and we must continue to make every effort to protect them.

Blessings and love, joy!!!

Joy Valdez 74