The provision in the Constitution’s Preamble referring to the Bahamas as a nation with Christian values is often abused and utilized as a mask or smokescreen. This is while concealing unchristian behavior or displaying an endless bout of hypocrisy Only a few exceptions exists such as Bishop Lenny Sweeting of Harbour Island, a decent man who maintains the life of a true Christian. Sadly, this hypocritical state extends to all aspects of Bahamian life.
Even in our beloved national culture of Junkanoo has been shamed with unchristian behavior. This past New Years Day Parade here on Grand Bahama 2003 witnessed a most disgraceful and scandalous circumstances surrounding the integrity of that event. Any reasonable person would reasonably believe that fairness and justice would be the order of the day. Unfortunately, we live in a nation where “principles do not pay bills”, thus furthering this hypocrisy . Or, is it because Bahamians worship false Gods, notably money! The Bahamas is a nation of pretend, where too many of would sell our souls for a dollar.
How on God’s earth can anyone be satisfied that the 2003 New Years Day Parade here in Freeport was fair? We are not talking about a questionable score given by a judge, but a system that was so incompetently done, that it was so unfair to those hundreds of people, in particular the young people who spent endless hours in a labour of love to be the best that they can be at the parade. Only to fall victim to an unorganized committee with incompetent judges.
The trouble began when almost nine hours, the scores were unavailable. The groups waiting patiently heard the results on the radio the next day, January 2nd, 2003. Despite some expressed concerns, no one questioned the results and the winners were able to enjoy the thrills of victory. However, the atmosphere of euphoria took a turn for the worst when the leadership of the winning group, the Classic Dancers, met essentially behind closed doors with Committee chairman, Derek King and a few others. Most other group leaders were absent or even informed about such a meeting. Without a quorum, any decision by this group should have been non-binding if not outright illegal. In what is now referred to as “Junkanoogate”, this backroom judging radically changed virtually all the scores, in particular the individual scores where cash prizes were involved. Needless to say, this was to the advantage of one group, the Classic Dancers. It is with interest to note that on subsequent occasions, chairman King has refused to discuss score adjustments when all the group leaders were present.
With incredible amazement, how could chairman King allow such a fiasco? Not a single person announced as a winner on January 2nd, 2003 was still a winner after the backroom judging was done. What was so amazing was the extent of the change. Persons who were in first place on January 2nd , now found themselves in a much more distant position. What was so amazing was the extent of the change. For example, persons who were in first place on January 2nd, now found themselves as far back as 10th place as was the winner of the best Off the Shoulder Dancer. The best Lead Costume went from 1st to 9th place, and costumes that were not Lead Costumes placed ahead of the Lead Costume that had been in first place on January 2nd. The best Free Dancer went from 1st to 5th place despite the fact that individual moving into the number one spot had five scores giving their total and everyone had only four scored. This is so grossly unfair and it appears that the concept of common decency has taken a vacation from the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee. In addition, many scores were completely missing and participants were being punished for events through no fault of their own. Coincidently, (or by design), the penalty sheets that will separate the men from the boys in such a close competition could not be found!
Clearly, under such questionable circumstances, it is impossible for any award to be fair and any such award may not be based on merit. Culture Minister, the Honorable Neville Wisdom needs to make some statement on this outrageous and unacceptable state of affairs that exist with the Junkanoo Committee here on Grand Bahama. The proper and fair thing to do would have been to divide the monies equally among the groups. Otherwise enthusiasm for the Junkanoo Parade 2004 will be wanting as this scandal is having an adverse effect on many of those treated unfairly.
Dr. Leatendore Percentie
