June 25, 2008 — Carnival could define or brand the territory culturally and for tourism purposes, according to a University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) professor who wants a new tax and a Department of Culture to make that happen.
Malik Sekou, dean of humanities and social sciences at UVI, likened Carnival to a world-renowned venue for artists in Harlem.
"Every one of our (musical) artists starts out in a carnival culture," Sekou said. "So when we have a carnival setting, it is kind of a clearing house, a de facto Apollo Theater."
Sekou was the invited speaker at a V.I. Carnival Committee public hearing at Charlotte Amalie High School, intended to elicit feedback and suggestions from the public on how to shape the annual St. Thomas Carnival celebration. Committee members say it has been plagued by a lack of funding, a lack of staff and, lately, by complaints. The meeting drew a scant crowd, and those who did show up were mostly members of the committee.
"This auditorium should have been filled, compared to the complaints we receive every day," said Carnival Chairman Kenneth Blake. He has been involved in the committee along with its executive director, Caswil Callender, since the 1980s.
"I'm tired," Blake said after the meeting.
"It's disappointing," Callender echoed. "Especially if they're going to go back and continue to complain."
Nevertheless, spirits seemed buoyed by Sekou's message, as he called Carnival a "powerful socializing tool" that reinforces culture and breaks down barriers: "No matter what ethnicity — white, black, born here, born there — it brings us together, and it's a social plus."
An exit tax on those flying out of the territory was among the ideas Sekou suggested to secure a guaranteed revenue stream for Carnival. And, he said, Carnival should be placed under the auspices of a government Department of Culture to allow for more comprehensive management.
While Sekou acknowledged negatives about Carnival — "drinking, profanity, the vulgarity, the sex" — he said the celebration isn't to blame: "It's in the culture already. Carnival doesn't create those problems."
To elevate the celebration, Sekou said, it needs to become something woven into the territory's fabric through year-long media campaigns and showcasing of the traditions and artistry behind certain Carnival preparations, instead of an annual event.
"There should be an ongoing set of programs, discussion … expression of Carnival, all year long," Sekou said. "People should see a demonstration of what it takes to make a costume. People have to see it, what it takes. Then they will respect it."
In addition, there's a need to coach young people on the tricks to organizing and executing the massive event. Gesturing toward Blake and Callender, Sekou continued, "God forbid in 10, 20 years … if the two-dragon forces decide to stop being involved in Carnival Committee, we'll have a serious problem."
Only two people are paid to oversee the massive undertaking that is Carnival, Callender and a secretary. They not only raise funds and plan, but also oversee more than 150 volunteers.
"I get calls sometimes that say, 'Can I have your accounts payable department?' and I laugh," Callender said.
Right now, Callender said, the committee is trying to collect a $150,000 government appropriation still outstanding for the 2008 Carnival and $50,000 outstanding from 2007.
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