#BTSpeakingOut – A message to the creatives

The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Colin Spencer

Throughout the history of mankind, music and poetry have always been used as a means by which we protest, we inform, we educate, we uplift and we unify people.

Whether it was Marley, Tosh, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, ABBA, Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni (to name a few) or the many persons who were forced to flee their homeland for fear of imprisonment or being murdered, we always manage to find a space to create because that’s what we do.

I have always said that if a business can only flourish when a particular party forms the government, then something is either wrong with the business model, the quality of service or the quality of the product.

The same obtains for creatives, so don’t be afraid to speak out if you have all of the correct boxes ticked. If you are only capable of engaging in discussion that is music related, make no mistake it will be reflected in whatever you create. It’s impossible to shut out what goes on around you because that helps to shape your thinking.

Please note that whatever the oppressed have accomplished in this world came through a struggle and a fight in which lives were lost. And whether or not you want to believe it, silence reveals two things – fear or a lack of knowledge. It is also worth noting that very few of us are called on to perform as a favor to us.

Whenever you are called it’s simply because you have built up some kind of reputation over the years which
fits what is  needed by the particular promoter at a
particular time.

Now remember we won’t all get called at the same time, some of us will get called more often than others and some may never get called, but that’s just the way it works, that’s just how our society is and that’s just the way of the world. However, whenever you do get a call Shine! Shine! Shine!

Proverbs 4 vs 7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting, get understanding

Have a most enjoyable day.