On Saturday 24th November 2018 at Sandals Grande a packed hall of over 400 people was treated to the 3rd annual musical experience – Ronald “Boo” Hinkson’s Show the World. The show did not disappoint. This show has established itself as an extraordinary musical intervention. It is not just a show or a concert. It is an intervention that takes us on a journey ranging from nostalgia, through professional performance of great music, to the clarion call to conscience. All the performances were excellent and Mr Eric Darius, the guest musician, was superb and blew the crowd away. The ladies were swooning and even Mr. Ramjattan was up and jamming.This three-hour non-stop show was world class and 99 per cent Saint Lucian talent. Boo clearly has the formula.
Upfront we need to stop, reflect and respect Ronald “Boo” Hinkson. He is a committed, patriotic Saint Lucian and black man. His vision for Saint Lucia, the youth, music and the black race is patently manifest in his work. It is indeed a beautiful vision and I would urge people to rally behind the vision. He is showing each of us how we must use our skills, our influence, our spaces to further the realization of a better place for all of us. Reminding us that the realization of the vision is dependent on the loving and healthy nurturing of our youth, which is our responsibility.
Arguably the most important aspect of Show the World is the unselfish way in which Boo shares the stage with all and how he mentors and promotes the up and coming young artists. A great example were the two youngest performers on stage on Saturday; Manasseh Stanislaus and Whitney Abysique, two beautiful voices in harmony singing Perfect, perfectly.
I appreciated this show not just for the music, but also for the messages that were delivered. Boo yet again provided a platform to showcase young Saint Lucian talent. The young artists were all fantastic. The point was clear: we have the talent, we need to create the opportunity and pathway for the success of the youth. Boo made the point that the Saint Lucia School of Music must be recognized and commended for its contribution to the development of young talent. The Royal Saint Lucia Police band was recognized for the many years of contributing to the development of Saint Lucian musical talent. These institutions are playing their part and need to be supported by us. Boo understands that young people are inspired by the success of their peers. A show like this one that profiles young people, just like them, gives them a “me-too” feeling.
A new song, a gospel song,“We are all God’s Children”, debuted that night. The song written by Boo and performed by Dequan Wilsonmade the case for justice for Botham Jean and us. The song was clear that black skin should never make us be perceived as a mere “silhouette”: not worthy of protection and not having the same rights as those with white skin. We are all God’s children and equal. The song explains that Botham Jean was sacrificed by the evil of racism in his place of sanctuary. It emphasizes that he is shouting in his “deafening silence”, that none of us is safe in the face of that evil. No matter how good and progressive we are there is no safe place for black skinned people in the United States of America.
Christa Bailey sang Good Morning Heartache: For me this was the most impressive performance of the night. She delivered a thoroughly genuine and personal rendition. She brought home some of the issues women face. I felt the call to address domestic violence, to address the sexual violence plaguing our society; with over 40% of our girls reporting that their first sexual encounter was forced: ergo rape. The need to address problems our women have in finding stable, supportive, committed relationships. As a man it was a powerful, and indeed painful, reminder of how as men we are not manning-up for our partners and our daughters.
I experienced a bittersweet feeling as a result of the understanding that this show was an oasis of patriotism infused with love allowing us all to unite for a moment in this current desert. The current desert of division, of sell out, buy out, bottom line dollar spreadsheet. The soul of Saint Lucia showed herself and reminded me that today we fight for her soul. She is threatened in the current globalized, capitalized, politicized, toxic environment. Just for a moment, however, we were gifted with an experience celebrating us, honoring our heritage and our youth. Just for a moment we felt optimistic that a better Saint Lucia is possible.