The Caribbean diaspora can play an important role in helping the region

Dear Editor,

The Caribbean diaspora can play an important role in assisting the countries of their birth. This is the view of Francisco Slinger, the Mighty Sparrow, who also feels that a unification of the Caribbean is long overdue. He said that he had been advocating Caribbean unity for decades, and reminded me about his song entitled If they know they don’t want federation. In an exclusive interview Sparrow said that the region had produced hundreds of outstanding sons and daughters and pointed out that although a large number are overseas they can still contribute to the development and improvement of the wellbeing of their respective countries.

He strongly supports an umbrella organization of the numerous associations of Caribbean countries scattered in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other parts of the world. In fact, he advocates that the larger countries follow Jamaica and appoint a Junior Minister for Diaspora Affairs.

Sparrow, who was born in Grenada but grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, entertained hundreds at a function organized by the Grenada Cultural and Civic Association in South Florida to mark the 33rd anniversary of Grenada’s independence. The world renowned calypsonian, who has been given honorary citizenship in several Caribbean islands, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, when asked how he sees himself and if he was a Caribbean man, responded that he is a man of the world because his songs are popular in all parts of the world: He was even honoured in Nigeria, not to mention the honorary doctorate which was bestowed on him by the University of the West Indies.

The Caribbean idol spends considerable tine in the United States, especially New York and California. He also penetrated racial lines when he won the Bollywood Award in New York late last year, and became the first non-Indian to be given such recognition. When asked what he thought about chutney music he said there was a bright future for such an art form that it had been there a long time. He mentioned King Fighter Come leh we go Sukee, come leh we go. He detested the racial politics in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, and hopes what he described as “nonsense” would soon come to an end.

Yours faithfully,

Oscar Ramjeet