DEBBIE JACOB
THE BEST lessons about independence came during the Independence Day parade when a stray dog made his grand entrance in the Queen's Park Savannah, much to the delight of the audience. Prancing across the Savannah grounds, he reminded us of what to appreciate beyond formal celebrations, namely our spontaneity, creativity and individuality.
That dog came like a pierrot grenade interjecting a touch of humour in a very solemn, colonial ritual. He was not the sideshow or the party crasher. He represented the individual asserting his personal identity in a function meant to foster a collective identity.
This is not to say that I have anything against Independence Day parades - or any parade for that matter that celebrates some specific accomplishment in this country. I am just disappointed that such nationalistic fervour is confined to a day of stiff marching exercises, which contrasts somewhat absurdly with Carnival revellers using that same space to wine to soca music.
On September 1 every year, I am left wondering what we can do to whip up patriotic fervour for the rest of the year. In all fairness, I wonder the same thing when Carnival rolls around. After 38 years in this country, I still can't understand how we can harness so much creative energy and muster so much pride on designated days for celebrations and then let it all escape like air from a balloon.
The stray dog on Independence Day also served as a reminder of something important that we seem to be losing: our sense of humour.
Crime has killed much of our sense of humour. There's not much to laugh at any more, but the pothound juxtaposed with the pomp and circumstance of the Independence Day parade reminded us to laugh. Who didn't chuckle at the sight of the dog lapping up spectators' applause, which felt spontaneous and appropriate - a real appreciation of the rebellious and comical side of our nature.
So if the dog represented individuality, rebellion, creativity and our unique sense of humour, what does that Independence Day parade really mean to us? What do we see? Unity? Pride? Nationalism? Discipline? Colonialism?
Maybe it's the juxtaposition of the colonial past and the current freedom of this republic that gives meaning to this parade.
All I know is I'm never going to forget the lessons of a pothound that crashed the parade, and reminded us how important our sense of humour has always been for survival in the unimaginable tough times. Double entendre in calypso provided slaves with a safe form of rebellion and dictated freedom of expression when it was forbidden.
But Independence Day is not just the morning parade. At night, there are fireworks. In less than a day, government manages to obliterate the pride and patriotism it whips up in the morning. I just don't get why the government doesn't realise how troubling fireworks is to many people.
Elderly people, sick people and pet owners hate it, and that makes up a good bunch of this nation's citizens. Fireworks symbolise the selfish, uncaring and w
