Brooklyn New York, June 1st, 2012: As the Carnival season for 2012 hasten on us, the question I’m asking, is if the SMC is really as genuine as they want us to believe that they are? In March of this year the Counsel General in NY- Mr Derrick James called me to ask if we can help with a Spicemas 2012 launch in NYC, we gladly conveyed our desire to help. The Counsel General then instructed his planning committee to contact myself and my partner Egbert Romain, we started discussions and ultimately agreed to pay for the launch. The idea behind paying for the launch was in keeping with Spicemas Corporation’s appeal for “partnership”, to help stimulate, grow and promote carnival activities. We got a venue and agreed with Mr James and the committee to have Spicemas Launch 2012 on May 20th in Brooklyn NY.
I then conveyed our decision to finance the launch to the chairman of SMC, Mr Colin Dowe via a personal telephone conversation I had with him. I let him know that in keeping with his calls for partnership we decided to help here in NY. I informed him that the venture would cost about $11,500USD ($5,500-venue, $5,000-drinks,$1,000 artist accommodation) all of which would be donated by myself and Mr Romain as a partnership gesture in our hosting of White in the Moonlight 2012. I further informed Mr Dowe that all proceeds from the launch would be forwarded to SMC, this could of easily been as much as $30,000USD. Mr Dowe wasn’t enthusiastic and two days later I got a personal call from the then Minister of Culture Mr Arley Gill informing me that whatever we do in NY as Grenadian Patriots has nothing to do with anything that takes place in Grenada involving SMC and Carnival. I was in utter shock!
How could this be? Spicemas Launch in NY has nothing to do with Spicemas in Grenada? This was not happening! Of course it was! As a die hard cultural and true son of the rich Grenadian soil, I was very disappointed. The launch never came to fruition because Mr Dowe was intent on not allowing White in the Moonlight this year. Ultimately the island of Grenada suffered because we missed an opportunity to showcase and market our rich History and Cultural Heritage to prospective visitors and tourists. We need to start holding men in leadership positions that use these positions as authoritative seats to make silly decisions that affect a whole nation.
We cannot sit back and be “Morale Cowards” but we cannot also sit back and be afraid to take a stand for what’s right! Decision making is a very hard process but that process is often aided when we open our eyes and do what’s right. Let’s look at Grenada’s Carnival since 2009, has there been a single major event or activity put on by the Committee or Corporation that has catapulted us into Stardom on the Carnival scene. I don’t think so! Let us get real and not be fooled by slick talk and empty promises. It’s time for us a Grenadian’s to start selecting properly qualified people to run the respective National Organizations effectively and efficiently without prejudice. It’s time to get rid of the “good old boys” system and men who get upset because one stands up for his/her rights which may differ from their position.
I will continue to promote Grenada and culture in the Diaspora despite the lack of support from SMC. I take great pride in saying that I know factually, I’m personally responsible for hundreds of visitors, most of whom are non Grenadian, coming to enjoy the little paradise gem called Grenada. A claim I know SMC cannot make because I haven’t seen any effort to market carnival in the NY metro area since 2009. Only time will tell where SMC true heart and vision lies. Let’s wait to see what legacy is left after the transition period. I’m of the humble opinion that the people of Grenada deserve a lot more when it comes to marketing our rich and profoundly deep cultural heritage. Maybe it’s time we start looking for men with a little less EGO and more culturally in tuned to run our Carnival. Maybe it’s time for the people to call for changes from the leadership of Spicemas Corporation. Let us remember that it is always country first and self after.
Nimrod O Ollivierre
Promoter
“White in the Moonlight”