THE GCA FAMILY WISHES YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS · 12/12/2011 · brate this Christmas time, and everyday in our lives we should remember it is not what you have, but whom you share

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Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter Dec 15, 2011Volume 1Issue 9

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter

“Christmas comes but once a year and everyone must have a shareeven poor Uncle Willie in de jail

drinking sour ginger beer and eating salt fish tail!”

THE GCA FAMILY WISHES YOU

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS

It is hard to believe that another year hasgone by, in the blink of an eye. Christmas ishere again, and as we know, this season isone of the most exciting times of the year.Christmas is a time to feel a spirit of happiness.But most importantly, it is a time to connectand feel especially close and thankful for familyand friends.Many may argue, despite the lighting of the

Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and thecolorful fairy lights that adorn houses every-where, Christmas in America can in no waycompare to the wholehearted feeling weexperienced back home, especially on ChristmasEve. My extended family who lived in one bighouse got together to polish the floor, hangthe curtains, and as we use to say, put up theChristmas tree. I feel a sense of nostalgia, and yearn for

those wonderful bygone days of waking upto a breakfast of pepperpot and freshly bakedbread. Those days, as kids we raced to theChristmas tree and were happy with whatevertoy awaited us from our grab bag Santa.I can remember my uncle Art Brooms - one

of Guyana’s former Jazz greats back then,made sure that music was in the house. Wewere awakened by that infectious rhythm ofthe drums, and symbols that penetrated theChristmas season. He was the only personwho bought me a toy car for Christmas, but itnever bothered me that it was mostly suitedto a boy, I was happy none the less that it wasa Christmas gift, from my uncle.As we share and give thanks for the smallerthings in life, I want to thank Cousin Lennywho never had much but who shared hisfew cents in the most warm and kind way atChristmas time. You see Cousin Lenny was anold man who lived in the Archer Poor House,an elderly home for the less fortunate peoplein Guyana. But this never stopped him fromwalking to Princess Street where I grew up,to take my siblings and cousin to see FatherChristmas.This was the biggest treat ever during the

festive season because every year, CousinLenny would show up. He made this an allday outing. We could arrive at Fogarty’s onWater Street from Lodge, by foot, to receiveour gifts from Father Christmas and thenwalk to a cake shop on South Road for a bot-tle of lemonade, before making the trek backhome.This selfless act by one poor person is an

experience I will never forget. So, as we cele-brate this Christmas time, and everyday inour lives we should remember it is not whatyou have, but whom you share it with.We at GCA would like to wish all of you a

very Merry Christmas, and the very best ofgood health and prosperity in the New Year.We look forward to an exciting season of

stirring cultural programs to enthrall andinspire you. Cheers!

Letter from the Editor

Tangerine Clarke

IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 3: History of Christmas

in Guyana PAGE 4: Happy Christmas from GCAPAGE 6: Glorious Christmas DaysPAGE 8: Music at Christmas:

Happy HolidayPAGE 14: Wayne Nunes: Guyanesemusicians on the international scene.PAGE 16: Ginger Beer with a differencePAGE 18: Occupational Change

Editor-in-Chief - Tangerine ClarkeCopy Editors-

Edgar Henry & Lear Matthews

Layout and Design by Ashton Franklin & Claire A. Goring

ContributorsPeter Halder, Lear Matthews,

Tangerine Clarke, Eileen AaronVibert Cambridge, Edgar Henry

Derrick “John” Jeffrey

Masquerade PicturesYaphet Jackman/MargaretLawrence/CineGuyana

MEMORIES OFCHRISTMAS PAST INGUYANA

THE SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE AT CHRISTMASThe Salvation Army, one of themajor charitable organizations inGuyana, ringing that Christmas bell.Each year during the Christmas sea-son, they have their “Red Kettle-Giving is Caring”- seeking help insupporting religious organizations,drug and alcohol rehabilitation and an array of other social services.

Bands such as the British GuianaMilitia Band (now the GuyanaPolice Force Band) and theSalvation Army Band played amajor part in popularizing themusic of the Christmas season in Guyana. The Salvation Army Band, perform-ing on the busy streets ofGeorgetown, brought Christmascheer and reminded us to make acontribution to the less fortunate.

2 SEASON’S GREETINGS

MEMORIES OFCHRISTMAS PAST

IN GUYANA"I always enjoyed Christ-mas

when I was young.

It was church at midnight and thenback home with our mother and

father.

When we arrived, there was cake atthe table, garlic pork

and bread and coffee.

Old Year's Night was church again atmidnight; after church,

we eat black-eye cook up.

I really enjoyed the toys we used toget, especially bladders (balloons).

I grew up in Plaisance

with my parents."

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS IN GUYANA

The observation and celebrationof Christmas in Guyana datesback to the 15th century. It

began, circa 1627, among the Dutchimmigrants who had established per-manent settlements in Essequibo. Thecelebration later spread to Berbice in1627 and then Demerara in 1746.The counties of Essequibo, Demeraraand Berbice, which subsequentlybecame British as a result of Europeanwars, were merged in 1831 andbecame British Guiana.In the new British colony, the largestethnic population were African slavescaptured by British and Dutch slaveships and brought to Guyana to workon colonial sugar plantations.Christmas was a popular season duringthe slavery era for most of the popula-tion except the Amerindians who livedin scattered communities in the hinter-land observed and celebrated theirown tribal festivals totally unrelated toChristianity.It was peculiar at that time that whileChristmas was about the birth ofChrist, for a long while, little religiousemphasis was placed on it. The fewchurches which were in Essequibo,Berbice and Demerara in the 17th cen-tury held no Christmas Services onDecember 25 or on Boxing Day,December 26.The religious observation and celebrationof Christmas may be linked to the com-ing of the Rev. John Wray. In 1810, theLondon Missionary Society, a Protestantbody, sent him to Guyana. He set up aMission for slaves at Plantation Le Ressou-venir, a large cotton estate on the East

Coast of Demerara. A church buildingwas constructed and was namedBethel Chapel. It had a congregation ofsome 600 people. The Rev. John Wraylaunched the religious observation ofthe Christian Festival of Christmas athis church. Church sermons featuredthe birth and life of Jesus Christ. Anadded feature was baptisms and mar-riages on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.The popularity of the Christmas Ser-vices and their added attractions gavethe slaves forbearance to their miser-able lives, remembering how JesusChrist was beaten and crucified on theCross. Christmas Celebrations quicklyspread throughout the country andwas popularly known as “the Season ofFestivity.” From then to today, Guyaneseextend to family, friends and anyone“Season’s Greetings”or “Happy FestiveSeason.”Christmas and the Christmas Seasonwere celebrated not only by the Africanslaves but by their white masters aswell, each in their own way. The occa-sion expanded from just religious ser-vices to family parties and get-togetherson Christmas and Boxing Day. Speciallunches and dinners for families andfriends translated into feasting anddrinking which remains the cultureuntil this day. The whole countrybecame a moving scene of feasting,drinking, dancing and gaiety. Cheerfulgroups traversed the lanes and paths invillages dressed in gaudy trappings, haircut and fashioned in a variety ofshapes, some decorated with beads,bits of ribbons and tinsel ornaments.They were accompanied by drumbeatand singing. Some wore wigs.Christmas also became a time for giftgiving. It perhaps was initiated by thewhite gentry who shared out clothing,food items and drinks, including alco-hol, to their slaves and at the same timewishing them a Merry Christmas. Theslaves accepted the gifts for what theywere worth but never forgot the whiplashes they received or expected in thefuture from their masters. But inspiredby the idea and the Christian charity ofit all, slaves also began to give gifts ofwhatever they could afford to theirimmediate families. And so gift givingbecame consonant with the ChristmasSeason.*** Source: The Christian Property Maga-zine, December 2008.

OBSERVATION AND CELEBRATION OF

CHRISTMAS IN GUYANADATE BACK TO

THE 15TH CENTURY BETHEL CHAPEL AT LE RESSOUVENIR, E.C.D. WAS

THE SITE OF THE FIRST RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IN GUYANAby Peter Halder

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BEST WISHES

One of the hall-marks of aGuyanese Christ-

mas is the range of musicthat makes up the sound-track for that season. A fewdays ago, the iconicGuyanese Christmas songHappy Holiday made its pres-ence felt on FaceBook. Theopening bars of the musicand Billy Moore’s first words,“Church Bells areringing/Santa Claus is on hisway/Happy Christmas to youdear/Happy Holiday,” immediately trans-port us to our dear land of Guyana andthe generosity of a true, true GuyaneseChristmas season. Happy Holiday wasproduced and recorded more than 50years ago in Guyana by Al Seals. In addi-tion to being the quintessential GuyaneseChristmas song Happy Holiday is testimo-ny to how excellence in creativity standsthe test of time and can create an iconthat unites a people whenever it is heard.

Another important part of the sound-track is masquerade music, which hasstood the test of time and is another icon-ic sound of the season. Some of the lyricsassociated with this art form speak to theinclusiveness of a Guyanese Christmas—“Christmas comes but once a year/andeven poor Uncle Willie in de jail will havehe sour ginger beer and salt fish tail!”

It is this spirit of generosity and inclu-siveness that calls the Guyanese in diasporaback home with increasing numberseach year. The late Deryck Bernard cap-tured this in The Christmas Invasion. Inthe first verse he notes:

Every Christmas in Georgetown

The place does always feel strangeWith men “cutting Yankee,” fat women in shortsIs de same confusion each year!Is de annual Christmas invasion ofGuyanese who come home to sportThey drinking you rum as if it can’t doneAnd stuffing black cake like joke

So, a true Guyanese Christmas con-nects the Guyanese family. This yearwhen we celebrate the season, includingOld Year’s night when, according toDeryck Bernard, “the ladies does dress upand wine,” let us give thanks for generosi-ty, inclusiveness, and family—the hall-marks of Guyana’s rich heritage. Themembers of the Guyana Cultural Associa-tion of New York, Inc., thank you for yoursupport during 2011 and look forward tostrengthening our relationship with youin 2012 when we celebrate masquer-ade—an essential ingredient in a true,true Guyanese Christmas.

Again, Happy Christmas and a

prosperous New Year!

THE GCA FAMILYWISHES YOU A

HAPPY CHRISTMASAND A PROSPEROUS

NEW YEAR!

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF GCA, DR. VIBERT CAMBRIDGE


4

5FROM

PAN ROUND THE NECK

TO A

GUYANANATIONAL STEEL ORCHESTRA

DOWN CHRISTMAS MEMORY LANE

Christmas was firstobserved on a reg-ular basis in

Guyana when the Dutchimmigrants made perma-nent settlements. It wascelebrated first in Esse-quibo about 1616, thenin Berbice in 1627, andmuch later, 1746 inDemerara. The majority of the public holidays inGuyana are religious ones. In Guyana, anation of six races, almost everyone par-ticipates, Christians and non-Christiansalike. With this sharing it made our coun-try a strong united place to live and visit,thus giving true meaning to our Motto -One People: One Nation: One Destiny,while re-enforcing the 2011 GCA sloganAal Bady Waan Bady.We have perhaps forgotten much, butstill remember, reflect, reminisce andrecall some of those glorious Christmasdays in Guyana. I had unforgettableexperiences of Christmas in three areasin Guyana. In Georgetown when my dadwas headmaster at Broad Street Govern-ment School (Dolphin); in New Amster-dam when he was transferred to RosignolGovernment and in the Beterverwagting/ Triumph area at the BV Governmentschool. Those days leading to Christmas Daywere filled with lots of excitement.Churches held services, offices andschools had parties and there wasalways a group who gathered to lead thepartygoers in singing of carols and giftswere exchanged which projected cama-raderie. Normally a few nights beforeChristmas, the older folks would go fromhouse to house and sing carols. Anothersignificant preparation occurred when

parents took their children to see"Father Christmas" at department storesin Georgetown. In those days it wasBookers, Fogartys or Bettencourt/Gomesto name a few. Kids will normally get asmall gift and photographs would betaken sitting in Santa’s lap.Steel Band in the streetsIn the 50s "tramping" behind the steelband of choice was popular at Christ-mastime. The popular bands at the timeincluded Invaders, Tripoli, QuoVadis, Sil-vertones and also Starlite in BV underthe leadership of yours truly. This prac-tice gradually faded away. Redecorating the homeTraditionally, at Christmastime the entire

house gets a thorough make over. If itcan be afforded, the house was painted,inside out. New or clean curtains, scrub-bing of floors, Christmas trees with fairylights, new furniture or at the very leastgive old furniture new life by polishingand varnishing, since their appearancehad to be of the best on Christmasmorning. Much of it was done on Christ-mas Eve. Those done earlier are likely tobe covered - Put Away - with heavy clothand unveiled on Christmas day. InGuyana, almost everyone decoratedextensively with with an array of fairylights. According to GT tradition there isno display of decorations until Christ-mas Eve. Delicious, tasty mouth-watering foodwas always one of the central features.Preparation started well before the dayitself. Among the main items were blackcakes, pepperpot, garlic pork, stuffedbaked chicken or turkey, ham and pick-led onions. Additionally, imported ice-apples, grapes, grapes, dates, a variety ofcheeses and candy were very welcom-ing. There was also an assortment ofhome-made drinks,depending on thepreference and tradition of the house-hold; sweet drinks including ginger beer,sorrel, mauby, sweet potato fly, falernum,shandy, rum and wines,.


THOSE GLORIOUSCHRISTMAS DAYS

IN GUYANATHE SMELL OF MANSION POLISH, VARNISH, FRESH PAINT, THE AROMA OF FRESH BAKED

BREAD, GARLIC PORK AND PEPPERPOTby Edgar Henry


IN GUYANAPreparations for Christmas were

arduous. Each year, starting aroundNovember 15, they used sandpaper to

remove the previous year's varnishfrom their wooden furniture, washed

it under the standpipe in the yard,dried it and varnished it again; cob-webbed the house, cleared out under

the bed and packed it back.

All the old wallpaper had to bescraped off the walls and a pot of thin

starch boiled to put on the new wallpaper. This went on in every home;people who could not afford wallpapercovered their walls with newspaper. Onthe newly papered walls, framed pic-tures would be hung. These were pic-tures of film stars like Shirley Temple

and Veronica Lake, or of vases of flowers cut from magazines.

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Pepperpot and bread

DOWN CHRISTMAS MEMORY LANE


MasqueradeMasquerade bands, performed andplayed their special brand of music.This was a common sight on thestreets of towns and villages, repre-sented by incarnate, fictional charac-ters in the likes of Mother Sally, LongLady, and Mad cow. During the per-formances, one or more of the mem-bers of the band would approachthose being entertained in order tocollect money, sometimes food, some-times alcohol. The spectators general-ly gave them encouragement. InGuyana, it is common to hear thelookers on shouting “Blow, Man,

Blow.” If I may pause,today the masqueradebands are not seen asoften as before, andefforts are in progressby the Guyana CulturalAssociation of NY torevive this historic tradition in 2012. Christmas DaySome people go to church onChristmas morning. Others wouldhave gone on Christmas Eve. Gifts,previously hidden, were thenopened, generally with squeals ofdelight from the children. Who wouldforget the famous Lord Kitchener’srendition of “Drink ah rum pun aChristmas morning?” There wasfeasting on the Christmas goodies allday long. A lot of visits wereexchanged. Overseas telephone callswere made. Radios or recorded music

was played loudly. “NoBig Thing” was aired.

A popular phrase in Guyana thatplayed on the radio at that time:-"Christmas comes but once a year""And every man must have hisshare""Only poor Willy in the jail, drink-ing sour ginger beer"What Made ChristmasUnforgettable?Houses were almost new again andamong the new things were theChristmas gifts, the lighting, the smell

of new garment, wood pol-ish, varnish or fresh paintwas in the air. This uniquesmell was mingled with thearoma from the kitchen,the dining table, the pantry,pepperpot, garlic pork, youname it. The sounds in theair were laughter, music,horns, whistles, carols,bells, popping toy guns,

crying dolls and more.

We do our best here in the Diasporapreparing and celebrating the yule-tide season. As we reflect onChristmas in Guyana no matter howwe try it is just not the same. As theold folks say, ‘If you have a lemon youmake lemonade.’ So let us all withone heart celebrate the Christmasseason the best way we possibly can

A Very Merry Christmas to Aal Bady Waan Bady.

Fruits soaked inGuyana Rum andwine for months,before baking.

Ham decorated with pineapple slices

Tasty glass of sorrel

Garlic Pork, set and ready for Christmas breakfast

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Aconfident bass, a wailingsaxophone, and a sensitivepiano introduce “Happy

Holiday.” When that quintessen-tial Christmas song is heard,Guyanese at home and abroadfeel the spirit of the season. Whatis so special about this song?�“Happy Holiday” was first issuedas a 78 rpm record in 1956. Dur-ing the middle to late 1950s, ashift was taking place in homeentertainment. There was a move-ment away from Victrolas andother brands of 78 rpm recordplayers to the smaller and lowercost 45 rpm players that could be“plugged” into the radio—theEckos, KBs, Mullards, Nor-mendies, Pyes, and Phillips.

The 1950s brought politicalchanges to British Guiana andthey also brought changes in theway Guyanese consumed music.The lower cost record playersand the widespread use of “hirepurchase” encouraged the prolif-eration of juke boxes. It alsoincreased access to recordedmusic by Guyanese working classpeople.

This shift in the technologies forlistening to music had other con-sequences, including the emer-gence of a recording industry andincreased demand for morerecorded music by Guyanese. By1959, “Happy Holiday” was re-released as a 45rpm record.

The late Al Seales is intimatelyassociated with the recording of“Happy Holiday” and the start of

a recording industry in Guyana.He led Al Seales and the Wash-boards and later established theGEMS and the Caribbean GEMSrecord labels. Seales’ studio waswell respected.

Important Caribbean musicianssuch as Lord Melody preferred torecord their music at the studio at40 Robb Street. The Mighty Spar-row’s first recording was alsodone there. Seales assembled apowerful studio band, TheCaribbean All Stars, which includedBassie Thomas (pianist/arranger),Harry Whittaker (Alto sax), Syd-ney Prince (Tenor sax), Sabu Lall(bass), Simpson (bass), Messiah(Drums), Charlie Agard (Bongos),Rector Schultz (Guitar). He andhis arranger Bassie Thomas exper-imented with a beat that reflect-ed the intermingling of Guyana’sWest Indian and Latin Americanheritage—the “Bion.”

It was in this environment thatLord Melody (Fitzroy Alexander)approached Seales with the lyricsfor “Happy Holiday.” He wantedto produce a seasonal calypso tocompete with Lord Kitchener’s“Drink a Rum,” which was thedominant Christmas calypsoamong West Indians at home and

abroad. He was advised againstgoing the calypso route butencouraged to use the “Bion”beat. Further, it was agreed thatthe Four Lords, which includedNeville Rose and Billy Moore,would record the song. Rose wasthe lead singer and Billy Moorearranged the harmonies. LordMelody’s is the voice of thefamous spoken solo: “My darling,wishing you the best. You knowthat my love for you did last andwill last for many more Christ-mases.”

The technology available to AlSeals in 1956 did not allow himto record multiple tracks andthen mix a final product. He usedone microphone—one of thebest available at that time—anRCA Noiman. The recordingrequired a complete performanceby the musicians and the singers.This required coordination andprofessionalism. The recordinghas stood the test of time. Now50 years later, “Happy Holiday”remains not only one of the mostpopular Christmas songs inGuyana but also one of the bestrecorded pieces of music fromGuyana

“HAPPY HOLIDAY”


MEMORABLE GUYANESE CHRISTMAS MUSIC

AL SEALES, BILLY MOORE ANDMUSIC AT CHRISTMAS

“Church bells are ringing,�Santa Claus on his way,�Happy Christmas to you dear,�

Happy Holiday.”�“Happy Holiday.”

Lord Melody & The Four Lords (1956)

Church bells are ringingSanta’s Clause’s on his wayHappy Christmas to you dearHappy Holiday..

My heart keeps poundingAs the time rolls awayHappy Christmas to you dearHappy Holidays.

And then the choirYou can hear the voicesof the angels rejoice, rejoice

My heart keeps poundingAs the time rolls awayHappy Christmas to you dearHappy Holiday.

My darlingWishing you the bestYou know that my love foryou did last,and will last for many more Christmases

Billy Moore & Al Seales

Excerpt from an article by Dr. Vibert Cambridge, GuyFolk 2004

Guyanese-American SandraChapman will work to makeliteracy programs easily avail-

able to residents throughout the boroughof Brooklyn, as one of her top priorities asthe new Brooklyn Deputy Borough Presi-dent.The former head of the Community

Service Center in Borough Hall, who wasappointed to the position on October 31,after Yvonne Graham stepped down,expressed her eagerness to continue herwork in the department, with her largerrole as Deputy Borough President.

‘One of my priorities will be to trans-form my lifelong passion for reading intoexpanding the availability and scope ofliterary programs throughout Brooklyn,said the career public servant.”Chapman, who resolved every day

issues of Brooklyn residents, from findingaffordable housing, to ensuring that trashwas picked up - as head of the Communi-ty Service Center, was praised by BoroughPresident Marty Markowitz as a prouddaughter of Guyana who will continue toserve constitutes well.Markowitz added, “Sandra has gotten to

know our borough and its residents bysolving the issues handled by the Servicecenter, everything from helping Brook-lynites find affordable housing and navi-gate often complex city government agen-cies, to everyday, but no less importantconcerns such as trash pickup and fixingpotholes.”

“Sandra knows what our constituentswant and need, and that will serve herwell as she embarks on this new andexciting chapter in her life of public ser-vice,” Markowitz concluded.Chapman, who has held public office

for more than thirty years, expressed hergratitude to the Borough President’s Officeby saying that it has been an honor toserve as director of the Community Ser-vice Center.

“Working alongside Marty has been a

learning experience” said the newlyappointed Deputy Borough Presidentwho added that Markowitz has been com-mitted to constituent services since hisdays as a state senator. She added that he never hesitated to

pick up a phone to get an answer or solvea problem – “qualities that have driven meto be the very best at providing Brooklynresidents with the services they need anddeserve”.Chapman, a Canarsie wife and mother

of two, said that the fact that she, aGuyanese American immigrant wasappointed Deputy Borough President is atestament to Marty’s commitment toBrooklynites, and enhancing Brooklyn’sinternational reputation as a proud hometo everyone from everywhere.Before joining borough hall in 1966,

where she worked under then BoroughPresident Howard Golden, Chapman wasappointed senior planner with the Depart-ment of Housing and Development. Herroles as sales executive with the Metropol-itan Life Insurance Company, and supervi-sor with the National Council of NegroWomen Day Care Center are leadershipappointments that prepared her for a longand successful career at borough hall.Chapman will indeed be filling big

shoes left by Jamaican-born Yvonne Gra-ham, but the Long Island University MBAalum, who graduated with honors couldcertainly hold her own in the office whereshe has spent most of her career.

Sandra ChapmanNEW BROOKLYN DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT

by Tangerine Clarke

MEMORIES OFCHRISTMAS PAST IN GUYANAThe Guyanese Christmas seasonextends beyond Christmas Day. There is Boxing Day, Old Year's Night,and Twelfth Night, each with its ownspecial music. The Boxing Day picnic demands'jump-up' music. The Boxing Day feteswere held at a range of dance halls. -Frolic Hall, Garland Hall, Haley Hall,Prospect Hall, Rest Hall, and TipperaryHall. Attendees wore their "best outfits andtried to outdo one another in the vari-ous dances - foxtrot, flat waltz, squaredance and tango."Old Year's Night required a range ofmusic and the obligatory Auld LangSyne. Harry Whittaker's rendition isobligatory in some Old Year's Nightparties in the Guyanese diaspora.

GUYANESE IN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

GUYANESE CONGRATULATE 9

It is with deep pride and joy that weacknowledge the recent appoint-ment of Judge Pam Jackman-Brown

to the Queens Supreme Court. TheBoard of the Guyana CulturalAssociation would like to wish thisdaughter of the soil the utmost successin her new post.

Jackman-Brown who held the positionof Civil Court Judge in Queens, andmost recently, Acting Supreme CourtJudge, overwhelmingly won the judge-ship at the recent mid-term elections inthe 11th Judicial District.

With a steadfast commitment to succeed,Pam worked diligently to achieve hergoals. She was born in Springlands - asmall village in Berbice, one of six chil-dren whose parents instilled the impor-tance of education.

This brilliant former Tutorial HighSchool and Berbice High School studentexcelled in every school she attend. Sheaced the GCE O’ Level exam, and laterchose to become a secretary, but aftershe was given the opportunity to travelto the United States where she attendedbusiness school, she joined theDepartment of Mental Health andRetardation in an effort to streamlineher career path.

As always, Pam’s brightness caught theeye of her supervisor who presentedher with her first Law dictionary andencouraged her to attend law school. Asthey say, the rest was history.

After graduating from Borough ofManhattan Community College in 1979,and John Jay College of criminal justice,where she graduated magna cum laude,there was no stopping Judge Pam

Jackman-Brown, one of the firststudents in 1983 to graduatedfrom CUNY Law School.

A humble and caring person whosought to service those in need,

Judge Jackman-Brown accepted herfirst call, to work in the Legal AidSociety in Brooklyn. But in 1989, shewas offered a job as clerk in the officeof Yvonne Lewis also in Brooklyn,which she took.

The path in the legal system was thestepping-stone to greatness for the legaleagle. Yet another superior recognizedher brilliance in research, conferencingof cases and drafting of legal options, inaddition to her work as an arbitratorduring her nine years in this position,and recommended that she apply tobecome a judge.

She once again succeeded and wasappointed Judge in the Housing Court.Her excellence in processing tenantand landlord issues over five years, qual-ified her to continue working in thesystem, this time, in Queens Countyfrom 1998 to 2005. In 1998, she waselected Civil Court judge where sheserved until last year.

Today, the Democratic Judge is a stun-ning role model, not only for youngwomen, but all immigrants committedto formal education and in search ofthe American dream. Her very own sis-ter who is an attorney, plans to followin her path towards Judgeship.

Judge Pam Jackman-Brown’s work willcontinue to inspire all immigrants insearch of the American dream.

Source:

Dhanpaul Narine- 'The West Indian

CONGRATULATIONS


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IN GUYANAThe sounds of hammering and

tapping went on throughout theday and evening as they “put

away” the house. The door andwindows would be tightly shut asno one wanted their neighbours

to see their curtains beforeChristmas morning.

Sardine tins which had beenwashed out and stored over a

few months would be filled withpaddy and water so that byChristmas Eve, they would

become rice plants.

On Christmas morning, everyoneopened their windows and the

women would be peeping, fingerscrossed, to make sure none of the

neighbours had curtains liketheirs. If they did, the entire day

was spoilt.

On the table was a new oilclothpatterned with grapes

and apples.

NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE PAM B.

JACKMAN-BROWNCREATING HISTORY IN THE NEWYORK STATE SUPREME COURT

FROM SPRINGLANDS, BERBICE TO THE QUEENS SUPREME COURT

by Tangerine Clarke

The long journey back tothe place where Ipresently live allowed me

to reflect on past, present andthink about the future in amore altruistic manner. Thedeath and funeral service formy mother was a soberingevent and a reminder that weare all under the tyranny of theclock and with only a continu-ous “tick-tock” holding swayover us all. In so stating, Iintend to ratchet up my rela-tions with friends, relatives, out-standing projects and the loveof this limited space and time Ioccupy.

The day after my return toThailand; (26th November.) Idecided to make a trip to myabandoned district, and get afirst-hand look at my place ofdwelling. It was a forty-five-minute bus ride from the capi-tal, Bangkok. Most of the pas-sengers were smiling and ortalking on their mobile phones.An atmosphere of chit-chat andsmiles in a language I barelyunderstand. As we approachedthe old international airport onthe expressway that ran 20meters above ground level andabout 12km south of where Ilive, there was an unexplain-able silence; mobile phoneswere turned off and the cor-ners of the passengers’ mouthsreadjusted in a gripping con-tour; horseshoe shaped, as theylooked out the side windows of

the vehicle. Following the pas-sengers’ change of view I saw along sheet of water coveringrunways and lapping againstthe engines of jet liners parkedon the airport taxi-strip. Likeme, the owners believed theThai government’s report thatthis was only a week-end floodwith not more than twelveinches of water. Again I becamementally numb.

The bus came to a stop on theexpressway one hundred feetabove the road surface at thehead of my district. There was aseries of construction laddersin a cocoon of safety nets andmetal catwalk on constructionsteel frame running the lengthof the roadway. The descentfrom the expressway to the cat-walk required nerves of steel, asGodfrey Chin would say, “Youthink it easy?” It was now themeasured steps along the cat-

walk to a designated spot andinto a waiting flat-bottom pon-toon-looking boat.

The boat ride to my home tookone hour, a distance I normallydo in ten-minutes on my motor-cycle. I have been in boatsbefore, both mentally and phys-ically. However, this one wasunique as we travelled overconcrete road surface and intoand out of canals without oncehaving to get out and push orpull the boat. I passed myneighborhood golf club; whatwas the green and drivingrange looked like Lake Ontario.Approaching the homestretchto the street/river where I live Ifelt like Columbus–––an unex-pected sight beyond words.

continued on page 22


A GUYANESE IN PATHUM TANI, THAILAND

THANKYOU

On behalf ofmy family andrelatives and in

the most humbling way,I would like to

express mydeepest and

sincere gratitudeto all those whohave expressedsympathy and

condolences forthe recent

passing of mymother and

also the incal-culable amount

of empathyshown to me asa victim of theflood in Thailand.

I would especially liketo thank theexecutives ofthe Guyana

CulturalAssociation,New York for

their generosity,support and

understanding.Thank you all;

thank you,thank you,thank you.

DERRICK “JOHN” JEFFREYLIVING THROUGH

THE FLOODS OF THAILAND

11

According to his parents,Denise Austin (an alum-na of St. Roses’ High

School, Guyana) andChristopher Birriel (a musicianin his own right), by the timeElijah celebrated his 2nd birth-day, he had already becomethe source of entertainmentfor friends and relatives whowould visit the home. Whenhe was about to enter MiddleSchool, Elijah won an academ-ic scholarship to attend theprestigious Berkeley CarrollSchool in Park Slope, Brooklyn.At Berkeley Carroll, Elijahjoined the jazz band where hespecialized in playing thetrombone. It was during hisyears at Berkeley that Elijah’sparents enrolled him in thefamous Paul Green School ofRock (SOR) in Manhattan, topursue his love of music in anafter school program. Elijahrecalls being extremely tired atthe end of a long day atschool, but somehow findingthe energy and motivation toride the subway two after-noons during the week as wellas on Saturdays, to participatein the program. At SOR, Elijahwas presented with manyopportunities to perform inNew York City at popularvenues such as B.B. King on42nd Street and the legendaryCBGBs. As a student at SOR,Elijah proved to be a versatileyoung musician that could eas-

ily switch from trombone tobass to drums or guitar in addi-tion to background vocals.Summer vacations were spentperforming in cities across theUS which included annualmusic festivals such asLollapalooza and Austin CityLimits, as well as international-ly with the School of Rock. Heperformed at high profilevenues in Germany, Belgium,London and Ireland each sum-mer until he was eighteenyears old.

At eighteen, when all studentsare required to exit the musicprogram at SOR, Elijah contin-ued to work at his music - con-centrating mostly on the bass.In early 2011, he joined theBrooklyn based, teenage band– Phony PPL as a guitarist. Theband kicked off their tour thisyear at the Brooklyn Museumwhere they opened up for

Warner Music artiste -Theophilus London, andplayed to a packed, and veryappreciative audience. Sincethen, Elijah has been touringwith Theophilus London as alead guitarist, performing atsold out concerts in majorcities in America and Canadaincluding Los Angeles,Chicago, Miami, Seattle,Washington D.C., Montreal,and Quebec City. This pastsummer he performed withTheophilus in Spain, Londonand the world famous MoulinRouge in Paris. In August heappeared on the JimmyKimmel Live show in LosAngeles, as well as CenterStage in Central Park, NYC,when Theophilus shared thestage with Nas and DamianMarley.

To watch Elijah perform is towatch a work of art. He is aconfident musician who cantake his audience on a musicaljourney that encompasses sim-ple plucking of the guitar to acrescendo that moves them toa frenzy. His dream is to riseto a position of great respectin the music industry and tobe recognized by historians asone of the great performers ofhis generation.

His band, Phony PPL, is cur-rently working on producingtheir first album. Elijah is alsocollaborating with TheophilusLondon on some of the songsthat will appear onTheophilus’ next mix tape.Elijah currently lives inBrooklyn, New York

The writer, Eileen Aaron, is analumna of Bishops’ HighSchool, Guyana, and grand-mother of the artiste.

YOUNG GUYANESE MUSICIANS EXCELLING ON THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE


ELIJAH AUSTINMUSIC IS MY LIFE AND MY LIFE IS MY MUSIC“I cannot say with any degree of certainty when I realized thatmusic is my life and my life is my music.” These are the words ofnineteen year old Elijah Austin aka Elijah RAWK, a talented

musician of Guyanese and Puerto Rican heritage, who one dayhopes to become a successful music producer and director.

by Eileen Aaron

12


ELIJAH AUSTIN19 YEAR OLD GUYANESE/AMERICAN MUSICIAN,

VERSATILE ON THE TROMBONE, BASS GUITAR & DRUMS

...PERFORMED THIS SUMMER WITH THEOPHILUS LONDON IN SPAIN,

LONDON, PARIS, NY CENTRAL PARKAND LA ON THE JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW

13

WAYNE NUNES wasborn in England toGuyanese parents and

migrated to Guyana at age six.Wayne’s musical career began atthe age of seven as a chorister inChrist Church Choir in George-town.

At his home in Georgetown,Wayne’s family was quite musi-cal. As such he was not onlyable to listen to lots of goodmusic but also became a self -taught musician. He began lis-tening and playing along to theradio with an old acoustic guitarwhich belonged to his olderbrother Horace, himself a singerin the Queen’s College Syncoms.

Wayne met George and CarlFraser, the younger brothers ofTerry Nelson, when he attendedNorth Georgetown SecondarySchool. Terry Nelson had arecording studio in Guyana atthe time. Wayne joined the Fraserbrothers at Terry’s recording stu-

dio which was located in Beter-verwagting Village.The brotherswere putting a band together atthe time, and Wayne offered tobe the bass guitarist. It was herethat Wayne got his first opportu-nity to play on a record, NeishaBenjamin’s Sandrowta (probablythe original Guyanese chutneyhit).

Within the next few yearsWayne would play with the Sil-houettes, Brass Mechanics, andMusic Machine bands in turn,eventually joining Solo SoundsInternational, one of Guyana’slargest bands which was createdby Neil Chan. This would be thebeginning of Wayne’s professionalmusic career. The Solo bandmembers were paid as full-timeemployees who were contractedto be involved in music educa-tion, and to rehearse every day.Three years with SSI gave Waynehis first opportunity to learnMusic Composition. He was

taught to read music, an achieve-ment which allowed him to notonly back local calypsonians butalso explore new genres inmusic. As part of Solo Sounds,Wayne also belonged to themain Marshramani road band.The band also backed majorTrinidadian calypsonians whenSolo launched the project, SmileGuyana.

In 1983 Wayne returned to theUnited Kingdom. Wayne spenthis first few years in Londonlearning the recording and pro-ducing technique, by workingwith numerous engineers in thestudio, while being the residentBass player. During this time heco-produced, wrote and recordedhis own project called “NUNES”,a group comprised of Wayne, hisbrother Horace (now deceased),and Wayne’s ex-wife Melanie(formerly Melanie King fromSolo Sounds). Together theyreleased a single called The Sunis Gonna Get To Me which hadextensive airplay in both Londonand Guyana.

The band went on to record analbum which was neverreleased. During this periodWayne also worked with RudyGrant in his many recordings,one of which was the popularMash in Guyana. Wayne alsorecorded and produced the lateMighty Intruder’s Lilawatie andI’m getting the Fever.

Wayne’s first major gig in Lon-don would be with Eddy Granthimself, with whom Waynewould tour extensively over athree-year period. The EddyGrant years put Wayne into theBritish Music scene, and he wenton to play with The Pasadenas,another successful British groupwith whom he not only touredbut was part of the support actfor Prince on his British tour.

continued on page 15

14

WAYNE NUNES• CO-WRITER & CO-PRODUCER ON THE

ANTHONY HOPKINS/CHRIS ROCK SOUNDTRACTOF THE MOVIE “BAD COMPANY”,

• ONE OF THE MUSICAL DIRECTORS OF THE UKTHEATRE PRODUCTION “THE HARDER THEY COME”

HIS PROFESSIONAL MUSIC CAREER STARTED WITH A 3-YEARSTINT WITH SOLO SOUNDS INTERNATIONAL IN GUYANA WHICHWAS HIS FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MUSIC COMPOSITION

GUYANESE MUSICIANS EXCELLING ON THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE


Wayne Nunesand membersof Solo SoundsInternational

in Concert.

GUYANESE MUSICIANS EXCELLING ON THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SCENE

Wayne Nunes


•PART OF THE SUPPORT ACT FOR PRINCE ON HIS UK TOUR & WITH THE UK PRODUCTION OF QUINCY JONES’ “THE WIZ” •NOW TOURS WITH BILLY OCEAN

Wayne’s expansive music career inLondon and Europe includes theHouse band for British TV’s The291 Show. Wayne has also co-writtenand co-produced Don’t Touch onthe Anthony Hopkins/Chris Rockmovie soundtrack of Bad Compa-ny, as well as a few TV soundtracksincluding the theme for Wild AtHeart. Wayne also toured and co-wrote with LA-based British artisteTricky with whom he appeared onDavid Letterman, Conan O’Brian,and Jay Leno, and did several stadi-um tours. His Solo beginnings alsoqualified him to be a part of theSoca Squad, a band that backedcalypsonians as they toured withinLondon and Europe.

In the theatre world, Wayne is oneof two Musical Directors in the the-atre production of The HarderThey Come which ran in the WestEnd and toured the UK, Miami, andToronto. He also had a short stintwith the UK production of QuincyJones’ The Wiz. Wayne has also beena pit musician for several years, inthe local theatres’ Christmas pan-tomimes in London.

Wayne’s current brainchild is hisproduction of the band WarriorCharge,(www.warriorcharge.com),an eclectic experimental dub/reg-gae project which features many ofthe artistes that he has workedwith throughout the years. Thefirst Album “No Foundation NoHouse” was released and toured inJapan in 2007. The band is current-ly recording “Two Sides One Sto-ry”.

Wayne’s current engagements arewith Billy Ocean with whom hehas been touring over the past fiveyears in addition to co-writing atrack on Billy’s recent album. TheBilly Ocean band has played at liveconcerts in the US and has alsoperformed at BB Kings in NewYork City. Within the next year theband will play at a festival in NewZealand and Australia, as well as inDubai and Sri Lanka

15


A GUYANESE CHRISTMAS STORY

Fr Jeremiah Holyoak of theChurch at Hunter Street and PuntTrench Dam, Albouystown, madeit his duty during the ChristmasSeason to visit his parishioners onBoxing Day.

He finished house calls on LaPenitence Street and moved on toBel Air Street. Between JamesStreet and Sussex Street, he cameto a cottage in which lived a singlemother Rachel Adams and her sonTimothy. The pair attended hisChurch Services every Sundaymorning. They were there onChristmas morning.

Fr Jeremiah rapped on the lightblue wooden door.

Timothy opened the door andsmiled. “Good morning Father,how are you today?” he said.

“I’m fine thank you Timothy. Iam here on my usual Christmasvisit to members of my congrega-tion. Is your mother at home?”replied Fr Jeremiah.

“No Father she is not. She’sgone to visit her sick Uncle inRuimveldt but since it is so hotoutside, you can come in and I’llfix you a glass of gingerbeerwhich is a a special treat for theSeason,” said Timothy.

“

“God bless you Timothy.

I would be happy to spend afew moments out of this hot sunand to enjoy some Christmas gin-gerbeer. Thank you very muchyoung man,” retorted the Father.

Fr Jeremiah entered the homeand took a relaxing seat in aBerbice Chair, wiping perspirationwith a white handkershief fromhis forehead and face.

Timothy went into the kitchenand took a large blue enamel cupfrom a shelf. He rinsed it at thesink. He took two pieces of icefrom parcel wrapped in newspaper,rinsed it and put it in the cup. Hewent to an earthenware container,about two feet high, and

using a ladle, dipped out ginger-beer from the container and put itin the cup with the ice. He placedthe filled cup on a small creamenamel saucer and took it to theFather.

Fr Jeremiah used his index fin-ger to swirl the pieces of ice in thecup to add some cold to thealready cool gingerbeer. He thenput the cup to his lips and drank itall, slowly, savouring it as he did so.He loved it and asked for more.Timothy obliged.

Rested, refreshed and feelingenergized once more, he got up,thanked Timothy and headed forthe door.

Outside the door, he asked Timothywhether his mother would be upsetover the giving of the gingerbeer.

Timothy replied with a smile,“Not in the least Father, not in theleast. You see it’s been there forover a week and we don’t drinkit anymore. Two days ago, some-how or the other, a rat got in thecontainer and was drowned inthe gingerbeer. We discovered itthe next day. But not to worryFather, I put my hand into thegingerbeer, took out the bloateddead rat and threw it awaythrough the jalousie”

GINGERBEERWITH A

DIFFERENCEby Peter Halder

16


17

I remember Christmas wasThe season when Santa cameBut somehow today it’s differentThe spirit is not the same

As soon as school was closedThere was excitement in the airYou heard the carols playingAnd knew the time was near

The streets were getting busyWith people shopping aroundAnd masquerades were flouncingAll about the town

You sensed that festive thrillWith your home in disarrayBeing cleaned from top to bottomTo sparkle on Christmas day

I loved those special smellsOf new linoleum on the floorAnd fresh paint and varnishAnd new curtains from the store

You felt the Christmas weatherAnd somehow you could tellWhen those dull and drizzly daysGave off that Christmas smell

But you would only know for sureThat Christmas was almost thereWhen the garlic pork was madeAnd the sorrel and ginger beer

And the house was full of flavoursWhen mom began to bakeThat juicy clove spiced hamAnd lots of good black cake

And finally on Christmas EveWhen the Christmas tree was lightOur home transformed itselfInto such a magical sightWith small change in my pocket

And my cap guns in my handI strolled along Camp StreetEating nuts and apples and“Carbon tins” are firingAnd guns are popping loudAnd last minute shoppersAre hustling among the crowd

Carol singers are singingAnd people are having funAnd I am sad but tiredWhen the night is almost done

But the greatest thrill of allThat final mystical eventWhen I hung my pillow caseAnd off to sleep I went

And early on Christmas morningThe first thing I rushed to seeWere all those wonderful toysThat Santa had brought for me

Then pepper pot and pickled onionsWalnuts and Quality StreetWith that sumptuous Christmas dinnerWe all sat down to eat

I always remember Christmas dayHow special it was for meMy world was filled with joyAnd peace and harmony

I know these special memoriesWill remain for some years yetThat’s how I remember ChristmasAnd I just cannot forget.

UnknownGuyanese Online

How I Remember Christmas

MEMORIES OFCHRISTMAS PASTIN GUYANAIn every Guyanese home, you had towax the floor after carefully stainingthe old purple-heart with a rosewooddye that left your hands almost blood-red.

Applying the polish and then shiningthe floor was the big deal.

Firstly, the wax had to be applied byhand with a bit of soft cloth. It was leftfor a while, with no one walking on itof course, then came the shining part.

The contraption used to do this wasan oblong pad topped by a layer oflead to make the thing heavy. A longpole was attached to the top of this, sothe pad could swivel from side to side,as the one manipulating the polisherstood one place, swinging the thing,and the result was a shining surfacein which one could almost see one’s face.

18

Imagine a deputy headmaster leav-ing his community to find moreeducational opportunities and a

‘comfortable life’ in the US. It is unlike-ly that he would find employment ofthe same stature, so he is now a securi-ty guard. How about a former seniorgovernment official employed as ahome attendant? I invite you to reflecton an aspect of the immigrant experi-ence that is rarely discussed.

Involuntary transformation of voca-tion, i.e. taking a job not commensuratewith one’s education and occupationallevel, is common and likely to increasewith the economic downturn. Thisphenomenon informs the connectionbetween adaptation to a new cultureand employment, manifested by com-promising change in occupation, andhighlights a link between stress andmigration.

There has been a substantiveincrease in the number of AnglophoneCaribbean immigrant professionals(teachers, engineers, managers, doc-tors) who relinquish pre-migrationoccupational status, confirming theperennial “brain drain”. Yet no seriousresearch on how they cope, has beendone. Although high-skilled immigrantsare recruited in comparable profes-sions for which they have beentrained, many end up doing unrelatedjobs. Entering with a strong work eth-ic, those with experience as laborersand service workers tend to integrateinto the job market easier than profes-sionals do.

Many who experience a down-ward shift in job status have carriedout their civic and family providerresponsibilities with varying degrees ofsuccess before emigrating. As such,feelings of self-fulfillment from voca-tional competence and self-actualiza-tion were in motion. After migrating,unhinged from their accustomedmeans of productive activity, anxietyand optimism tend to emerge despitethe anticipation of achieving the ‘Amer-

ican dream’. Anxiety is caused by dis-satisfaction with different occupationaldemands and inability to fully affirmone’s provider role, attributed todepleted assets, economic strain orchanging family relationships. Opti-mism rests upon aspirations whichmay or may not be realized in a culturethat can be both accommodating andharshly competitive.

There is honor in any gainful employ-ment, and the achievements ofCaribbean immigrants are unequivocal-ly remarkable. But we develop inge-nious ways of masking the pain, frustra-tions and compromises associated withdescending occupational shift. Thedecision to emigrate is usually devoidof anticipated social, economic andpsychological difficulties arising fromchange in occupation. Some areunprepared for the morass of stress-producing situations, while others runthe risk of an ‘undocumented exis-tence’, adding to potential stress.

Cumulatively, these transformativeexperiences could lead to consterna-tion, interpersonal conflict and mentalanguish.

It can be deflating and disap-pointing to those who enjoyed certainbenefits and privileges of their homecountry occupational status, educationor social class to be relegated to thelowest rung of society, even if only inthe early stage of migration. They sacri-fice an earned occupation, while enter-ing a society which tends to be morerestricting in access to the status/ hon-or system. To counter this dilemma,critical family support and affiliationwith cultural organizations help toreduce stress, improve self-image andsymbolically compensate for lost socialstatus.

Professionals may struggle to copewith the stress associated with menialwork that many would never havedone in the home country. However,buoyed by cultural/personal pride,regardless of the post-migration worksituation, they generally uphold theirdignity and professionalism to maintaina sense of self-worth. A remarkablereality of living in the US is the equaliz-ing effect with regard to occupation,income and perceived status. This ispoignantly demonstrated when immi-grants of diverse backgrounds findthemselves juxtaposed in communityand work settings, holding similar jobtitles and sharing mass transportation.

The negative consequence ofemployment transition is not readilyaccepted as an adjustment issue.Although migration is not alwaysaccompanied by latent psycho-socialstress and coping concerns, theinevitability of dire frustrations andambivalence stemming from occupa-tional change are indeed prevalent. Itis difficult to determine the extent ofthis problem, but our readers mayknow family or friends who have beentroubled by the consequences of occu-pational dissonance. It is unknownwhether there is a link between thisphenomenon and psychosomatic orphysical maladies such as hyperten-sion. Maybe the health care profession-als among us could shed some light onthis.

*

OCCUPATIONAL CHANGE:AN UNRECOGNIZED DIMENSION OFCARIBBEAN IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE


RELINQUISHING HOMETOWN STATUS & PRESTIGE FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM

by Lear Matthews

IT CAN BE DEFLATINGAND DISAPPOINTINGTO THE IMMIGRANTWHO ENJOYED CERTAIN BENEFITS ANDPRIVILEGES OF THEIRHOMETOWNOCCUPATIONAL STATUS, EDUCATIONOR SOCIAL CLASS TOARRIVE IN THE US TOBE RELEGATED TO THELOWEST RUNG OF THESOCIETY, ALBEIT TEMPORARILY IN SOME CASES.

19


OSHAGTHE ORGANIZATIONFOR SOCIAL HEALTH& ADVANCEMENTFOR GUYANA & theCARIBBEAN

BREAKFAST &DUTCH AUCTIONSATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011Green Leaf Café - 2414 Snyder Ave.Brooklyn, NY (between Bedford & Rogers Aves.)

TIME: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

DONATION:ADULTS: $20.00CHILDREN - $15.00Come enjoy the taste and smells ofa good home-style Guyanesebreakfast; then join the laughter ofbidding in our Dutch Auction; fillsome Christmas stockings early…it’s just $1.00 to bid on an itemFor tickets contact: Lorna @ 646-522-8005 Theresa @ 347-901-0009 Maria @ 917-385-6409Ramona @ 646-246-7362 Barbara @ 718-288-2060 Cleveland @ 646-872-6074Harold @ 917-496-8247 Mavis @ 347-742-6568Carol @ 678-327-3077

THE NEW YORK CHAPTER THE QUEEN’SCOLLEGE (QC)OF GUYANAALUMNIIN HONOR OF THE21ST. ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING

FORMAL BALL ANDPRESENTATION CEREMONYHONORING ALUMNI• Dr. Maya Trotz• Dr. Vibert Cambridge • Dr. Vivian RambiharThe Founding members ofthe association will also berecognized for their foresightand magnanimous contribu-tion to our Alma Mater.

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2012ASTORIA WORLDMANORQUEENS, NEW YORk

CONTRIBUTION - $90.00Frank. A. Denbow MDOrganizing SecretaryThe New York ChapterQueen's College of GuyanaAlumni Association

THE NEW YORKTUTORIALSUPPORTGROUP INC.IT’S A BLACK TIE AFFAIRTWELFTH NIGHTBALLFRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 20129.00 P.M. - 3.00 A.M.ST. GABRIEL’S CHURCH HALL331 Hawthorne Street,Brooklyn, NY 11225

ADMISION: $50.00Dinner Inclusive/Cash BarMusic by DJ Supreme

IN THE COMMUNITYCALENDAR OF EVENTS

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT

PROMOTED INFUTURE GCA

NEWSLETTERS:

ContactTangerineClarke at

[email protected]

IMPRESSIONS DANCETHEATRE, INC.

OPEN HOUSESATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

225-17 115th AvenueCambria Heights, NY (Corner of 225th St

DISCOUNTS FOR EVERY 3 CHILDRENREGISTERED FROM ONE GROUPADMISSION-$5.00CLASSICAL BALLE T•MODERN •TAP •JAZZHIP-HOP • LITURGICAL • AFRICA •INDIAN CLASSICAL KATHAK

GUYANESE AMERICANBUSINESS & PROFES-SIONAL COUNCIL (GABPC)TOYS FOR TOTSThursday December 14US ARMY Recruiting Office located at103-47Lefferts Blvd, Richmond Hill, NY 11419.

Bring a new, unwrapped non-violenttoy for children age 0-12 yearsNoon - 7.30 p.m.For more on the Toys for Tots, call 718-301-6272 or 347-612-6216 or [email protected].

BISHOPS’ HIGH SCHOOLALUMNI NY TRI-STATE CHAPTERNEW YEAR’S NITE GALAMusic by D.J. FlexxSUNDAY, JAN 1, 2012GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HALL155-24 90th AvenueJamaica, NY 11432 (o Parsons Blvd.ADMISSION: $25.00 (advnce)DINNER INCLUDED

Gillian: 917-689-5129Maggie: 917-692-7028Robin: 917 -692-8322Janice: 917- 378-3980

20


PARRIS ELECTORAL CONJECTURESAND GOVERNANCE IN GUYANABy Haslyn ParrisPublished: 8/22/2011Format:Perfect BoundSoftcover(B/W)Pages: 276 Size: 6x9 ISBN: 978-1-42696-466-4Print Type: B/W $20.00Parris Electoral Conjectures and Gov-ernance in Guyana examines the inap-propriateness of treating Guyana as asociety characterised by ethnic differ-ences. Author Haslyn Parris, the formerDeputy Prime Minister of Guyana, out-lines his thoughts on the electoral sys-tem in Guyana and the ways in whichit is used as a basis for determiningsocietal opinion on who should gov-ern the country. Parris Electoral Con-jectures and Governance in Guyanaexplores three main myths that com-prise beliefs generally accepted bymany Guyanese, regardless of their lev-els of intelligence or education.

THE MAILBOX SYNDROME: By Derrick G. Arjune �Date: February 7, 2011 �Trade Paperback; $19.99; 317 pages; 978-1-4568-5684-7 �Trade Hardback; $29.99; 317 pages; 978-1-4568-5685-4 �eBook; $9.99; 978-1-4568-5686-1888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book forresale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.

MIDDLE GROUNDRosalind Kilkenny - McLymontFiction ThrillerSet in New York and Kinshasa, the capital ofthe Democratic Republic of Congo, Middleground combines a fast-paced narrative withpowerfulinsights into human nature.Janice McWright, the first African-Americanambassador to Belgium and a champion ofopen markets for American goods and ser-

vices, dies mysteriously in a car crash in Brus-sels, Belgium. At the funeral, Shayna, aPulitzer Prize-winner reporter, discovers thatshe is McWright's adopted daughter.

AFRICA STRICTLY BUSINESS - THE STEADY MARCH TO PROSPERITYAfrica: Strictly Business is a collection of theauthors' award-winning Africa Focuscolumns published in The Network Journalmagazine over the past five years, and five ofher annual Trade With Africa reports pub-lished in Shipping Digest, a publication ofThe Journal of Commerce Group.Email:[email protected] - www.amazon.com

SOON TO BE RELEASED: A NEW LOOK AT JONESTOWNAND ITS DIMENSIONS FROM AGUYANESE PERSPECTIVE:

JIM JONES vs PEOPLE’S TEMPLEBy Eusi KwayanaEusi Kwayana has put together a book onJonestown, which will for the first time dealwith some of the important dimensions ofthe Jonestown Issues. There is much that isunique about this book:

It features an original fantasy a world famousGuyanese author; comments on Jonestownby a leading Caribbean revolutionary scholar-activist and recollections of unknown work-ing people close to the location, by visitors tothe living Jonestown, articles by twoGuyanese scholars, excerpts from two othersand a scholarly Black Panther official of theUSA.

It attempts analyses of the political problemsthat have baffled authors not familiar withthe Guyana’s internal political and religiousexperience, race and gender in People’s Tem-ple.

This book is due by December 12, 2011, first by mail order at $ 22 Post free within the USA. Without placing an order until invited, readersmay reserve a signed copy by email to /[email protected] / for full information.

Please send announcementsof recent and new

publications to [email protected].

PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS, MUSIC, FILMS

RECENT AND UPCOMING PUBLICATIONS BY GUYANESE

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW PUBLICATIONS (BOOKS, MUSIC, FILMS, ETC.) AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS

GIVE BOOKS BY GUYANESE

AUTHORS ASCHRISTMAS GIFTS

PERCY HAYNESBeyond Bourda Green:New York: Percy Haynes, 2011. ISBN978-0-615-50324.

Order from Percy Haynes; Address1050 44th Street,

Suite 2B, Brooklyn,

NY 11219-1800.

Writing in 1987, John Campbellnoted that Guyanese historiogra-phy tended to focus on “slavery,the rebellion [of 1763], appren-ticeship, immigration, and theconstitution of the country.” Thisemphasis, he argued, suggestedthat other themes were notimportant. John Campbell wasresponding to this deficiencywhen he wrote History of Polic-ing in Guyana in 1987. Thatbook was an institutional history,and Campbell was able todemonstrate that the history ofthe Guyana Police Force was“interlaced with the history ofGuyana as a whole.” He contend-ed, “without it, history of thecountry would be far from com-plete. Beyond Bourda Green isan important contribution to thedeficiency that Campbell identi-fied.Beyond Bourda Green is morethan an autobiography. It is asharp evaluation of the practiceof strategic communication inGuyana from the late 1940s—thelate colonial era through the firstthree decades of the post-colonialera. From Percy Haynes’ vantagepoints—proof-reader, reporterwith The Daily Chronicle, dis-trict information officer, diplo-mat, political campaign strategist,communication advisor to Presi-dent Desmond Hoyte, and univer-sity lecturer—he has had a frontrow seat to the intimate workingsof the Guyanese media environ-ment. Haynes guides us throughthe tight deadlines associatedwith being a journalist at a dailynewspaper. He brings to life leg-

endary colleagues, such as CarlBlackman, G.H. A. Bunyan, JakeCroker, C. N. Delph, BobbyElcock, William Ignatius Gomes,Hank Harper, “Zik” Isaacs, ConnieTheobald, and B.O. Wills—jour-nalists who established the goldstandard for Guyanese journal-ism. Beyond Bourda Green alsoprovides detours into the ritualsand baptisms of neophyte jour-nalists at various shrines of Bac-chus where the strong stuff wassometimes presented in teapotsand served with matchingteacups. Haynes’ career took him to theworld of public communication.Beyond Bourda Green providesdetails of the work of the districtinformation officer and the toolsof the trade (Land Rover, projec-tor, screen, portable generator,tape recorder) as well as theresponsibilities of connectingGuyanese in rural communitieswith Georgetown. In his reflec-tions on this phase of strategiccommunication in Guyana, heintroduces us to other pioneersin the field—A.J. Seymour, H.R.Harewood, Maurice Dundas,Peter Halder, Chick Young, andVictor Forsythe. By 1975, the education, training,and skills Haynes honed in thelate-colonial era were needed in

the new nation. Beyond BourdaGreen takes the reader into theinternational arena where Haynesis a diplomat in Guyana’s HighCommission in London and amember of Guyana’s PermanentMission at the United Nations inNew York. In this phase of hiswork, he details the challengesassociated with the interpersonalcommunication dynamics of pro-tocol and the nuanced languageof diplomacy. Through his lucidwriting, the reader feels the prideassociated with the achievementsof Guyana’s young diplomaticcorps as it establishes Guyana asan important and credible voicein the community of nations.By the early 1980s, Haynes isback in Guyana serving as anadvisor to many of the nation’skey communication institutionsduring times of major nationalcrisis. Beyond Bourda Greenspeaks to the contradictions ofthe period and the importance ofjournalistic integrity. The apex ofhis service during this sensitivemoment in Guyana’s political andsocial life was as the Communica-tion Advisor to PresidentDesmond Hoyte. In this position,he quietly contributed to theopening up of the media environ-ment and the restoration ofdemocratic life.Beyond Bourda Green is anengaging and valuable contribu-tion to Guyanese media history.It should be required reading notonly for students in the Centerfor Communication Studies at theUniversity of Guyana but for allGuyanese who are interested inthe role of communication inGuyana’s social, political and cul-tural life since World War II. Thelessons provided in BeyondBourda Green are crucial for thenurturing of the Guyana’s fragiledemocracy

© November 29, 2011

BOOK REVIEW

21byVibert C. Cambridge, Ph.D.

The engine on the small boat stopped and the boat-man held on to the frame of an open windowattached to a house opposite my house. The waterwas stagnant, smelly, and black as a witch’s cat andwaste deep. I wading across to my front gate, cameraheld high and clicking away. On entering the garageI noticed that the watermark on the wall and on mycar was about five-feet and fallen back to three-feet.According to one neighbor, the water stayed at thefive-foot mark for two weeks. My garage is separatedfrom the living/dining area by a sliding glass door.From the dining area to the kitchen there werethings floating that I never before knew could float,including half my collection of books. I gazed at thisnewly created indoor pool with its stagnant, blackand smelly water and was immediately catapultedthe scene of the sinking Titanic. I had no morewillpower to venture further. My brain simply froze.Only my finger on the camera worked. My homecoming lasted fifteen-minutes before returning tothe temporary dwelling 180km away.As of date and time of writing, my place is stillunder water. Looking back at the entire episode I would say I’mlucky. I could have been living in Libya orAfghanistan. I have learnt a valuable lesson and thatis: refugee status and other seemingly hopeless situa-tions; are tests that engage the human willpower,physical and mental stamina and the ability to callupon and utilize that gene which the medical profes-sion has yet to identify. A special gene, that washanded down to us through generations of ancestraltravels–––Survival.Thanks for the time until next time.Stay well and stay sharp.

Derrick “John” Jeffrey

22 DERRICK JOHN JEFFREYLIVING THROUGH THE FLOODS OF THAILANDcontinued from page 11

A GUYANESE IN PATHUM TANI, THAILAND

THANK YOUMy dear relatives, friends,associates and well wishes.

I would like to take thisopportunity to express mydeepest and sincere grati-tude to all those who haveexpressed empathy, condo-lences and support of every

kind during the pastmonth. The kind thoughts

and words that werereceived from friends

around the world were thelife jackets that kept me

mentally afloat. The finan-cial and other assistance Ireceived were tear-jerkingto the point of me being

speechless. Thanks again forthat which I have receivedand is beyond repayment.

IN PICTURE,DERRICK JOHNJEFFREY BEFORETHE FLOODS:In Thailand, Guyanese

writer, journalist, and retiredUnited Nations Staff member,Derrick Jeffrey discussing the his-tory and development ofGuyanese Steelband in a series oflectures that highlighted the con-tribution of Jazz and Steelbandmusic as part of Black HistoryMonth Celebration in theKingdom of Thailand.The highlight of Mr. Jeffrey's pre-sentation was his articulation ofthe history and development ofSteelband, its arrival in theUnited States, and its contribu-tion to the arts in the UnitedStates from a Guyanese perspective.Mr. Jeffrey, a former General-Secretary of the Guyana NationalSteelband Association recalled thedevelopment of Steelband inGuyana, its struggle for acceptance,and his knowledge of the con-struction and tuning of the variousinstruments that constitute a Steelband.


Documents

THE GCA FAMILY WISHES YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS · 12/12/2011 · brate this Christmas time, and everyday in our lives we should remember it is not what you have, but whom you share