Dear Editor,
As the years go by, many of us would from time to time turn back the pages of years long past reminiscing on events, incidents, gatherings, associations, etc, sometimes wishing we could turn back the hands of time to return to particular occasions which delighted us. And no doubt, in looking back we would be “pleased with the glories and sad with the sorrows,” as Martin Carter wrote in his masterpiece I come from the Nigger Yard.
As I stood outside the New Thriving Chinese Restaurant at the corner of Greenheart Street and Independence Avenue Linden during the Xmas season, I had the pleasure of hearing in part a heated discussion between two persons. They both stood their ground and in my judgment, they both made sound points to back up their case. Well, I can’t say how it ended, but that argument sure did take me back in time, because in that very spot where they stood there used to be a table where men frequently sat and imbibed, holding serious and fiery discussions covering a multiplicity of topics, sometimes late into the night. It was a very popular spot where businessman Mr Desmond Trotz operated a snackette and bar, and that particular table was referred to as ‘parliament‘ because of the intensity with which topics were debated, oftentimes at boisterous level. Of course, there were other tables around, but after a while that one was kind of reserved, since Trotz kept it after certain hours solely for “members of parliament” – Deslyn’s Parliament – and it made Deslyn’s Snackette even more popular.
This parliament had life, real life and there was nothing, I repeat nothing, that happened on the world scene or nationally and locally that was not brought to its attention. The beautiful thing was that the topics were varied and wide, and there was never a dull moment when the team met. First and foremost were the Craig brothers; Morris, Van and John. Norris was the specialist devil’s advocate; Van was methodical and erudite, and John had quite a memory for quotations. ‘Zambie‘ James demanded attention with his baritone voice when making a point, and then there were Lennie, ‘Cowie‘ Tull and ‘CY,’ the three silent listeners at every conversation. They sat without a word often smiling as they relished the destruction of many smart alecs afflicted with verbal diarrhoea. There was Audie Wishart; Johnny McKenzie; ‘Small Dollar‘ Dodson; the Mackenzie High School crew – art teacher, Chinnapen, the learned Carl Limrick, Hugh ‘Mr Cool‘ Dyer who had to be dragged into an argument; George ‘Danny‘ Daniels, always didactic in his presentation, with a well oiled vocabulary, and who would shake the roof off the house to make his point; ‘Big Sam‘ Archibald and young and brilliant Dennis ‘Archie‘ Archibald who departed much too soon. Then there was “not cutting” forever interrupting, but “not seh a cutting” ‘Tigan,’ always with an odd story and giving a weird twist to any discussion; Ashton ‘Squashie‘ Anthony; ‘Zunte‘ Clarke; and Brian Mullin. And still there were others who made their appearance though not as regulars – Boff Holder, Phil Yeung, Albert Straker, Compton Canes, Baxter Dennis, Winston Blair and many more. Quite a few have since transitioned.
The topics would cover geography, agriculture, astronomy, science, sociology, sports and politics, etc. Of course the two dominant topics were sports with particular emphasis on cricket, and politics. Cricket in general was meticulously dissected and clinically analysed; every captain, bowler, batsman, wicket-keeper and fielder came under scrutiny with special attention being paid to the West Indies. They were placed on a slab and examined under a microscope by men who had followed almost every cricket match like hawks; read widely published cricket books, viewpoints and commentaries and possessed fantastic computer-like memories.
In fact some were virtually walking cricket encyclopaedias. In the arena of politics, politicians were ripped to pieces, painted the way they were perceived by these ordinary folks, and none was spared. No party was given special preference, and even though men had their favoured ones, they still tried to rise above the subjective, to see the bigger picture. One’s position had to be defended on merit – thus jack was given his jacket and jackass his harness. And in the area of entertainment/music which was always a main ingredient, the Craig brothers and ‘Zambie‘ were adept; the gamut of their knowledge was admirable, and they delighted in expounding on it – yes these guys were ‘bad.‘ Folks went to parliament with eagerness; they delighted in the knowledge and the learning, and did much research so as to enhance their knowledge and earn the respect of fellow members. Though there were periods of bitterness the general mood was pleasant. And I need to mention the witticisms and irony that often stopped some of the ‘smartest‘ in their tracks, especially when made with the facial expression of Morris ‘Mongo Slade‘ Craig, while the pedantry of smug intellectuals was scoffed at and challenged.
And I need not mention how foolish and self-destructive it was for any stranger challenging parliament and pretending to know. I cannot recall anyone of whatever status or intellectual standing who was ever allowed the luxury to say as he wished and walk away unchallenged. At Deslyn’s Parliament, “how yuh come determine yuh treatment.” It had earned such a reputation for itself that it was drawn to our attention that individuals took up tables though they were not drinking alcoholic beverages, so that they would be well placed to soak-up whatever was being discussed.
And lastly I need to say also that – as is expected with a bunch of headstrong egotistic, well read, educated, qualified, trained, skilled individuals, as well as some who were thin skinned – many a time the roof came off when debates reached a critical point, and men had to be restrained. The beauty though was when that was over it was done, no ill feeling remained.
Times have changed and Deslyn’s is no more; a Chinese Restaurant as was mentioned above is now in place, so it’s all food and no debates. However, there is a place on Arvida Road now, the Avenue of the Republic‘s ‘Happy’s Snackette,‘ a very popular spot which has been labelled ‘parliament‘ and a hotbed for almost any topical issue in Linden where politicians from all quarters seize the opportunity to visit so as to get the pulse of the community. But it is in my judgement a far cry from the original parliament, and is yet to match the profundity and objectivity that was characteristic of Deslyn’s Parliament.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
