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THE CHURCHES AND MASHRAMANI
A woman wearing a short shirt or a plunging neckline, both of which cover more than they reveal, will have a sexy allure. The secret to being sexy is to leave sufficient to the imagination.
On the other hand, baring it all and leaving very little to the imagination is not sexy at all. It is downright vulgar and lewd.
Shortly, Guyanese revelers will take to the streets to display their talents and have a good time. The vast majority will stay within the pale and show that you have a good time without being vulgar. However, a great many will overdo things and reduce the revelry to lewdness.
The problem is not just one of revealing garments. It is no longer just the question of the skimpy clothes, even though some of the revelers wear far less than they would normally do at home. The problem extends to what has been aptly described by one person as simulated sex.
It all started very innocently with exaggerated waist and hip movements called “wining”. Then the “backball” became popular. The “backball” has now been superseded by what I can only describe as lewdness. I have seen women raising one of their feet in the air and displaying their private parts for all to see. It is simulated sex at its worst. It is disgusting.
I believe that it was out of concern as to the vulgarity of Mash Day revelry that the Christian Churches decided to take to the streets. The intention, I suspect, was to try to show that clean fun could be enjoyable and that Guyanese can enjoy themselves without having to resort to public exhibitions of vulgarity and lewdness.
The Christian Churches normally have a huge following when they take to the streets on Mash Day. They have been giving public witness to wholesome and healthy entertainment through their participation.
There has also evolved gospel music played to the beats of soca and chutney music, and gospel concerts are now filled to capacity. Undoubtedly the largest event held during Carifesta was the gospel concert at the Guyana National Stadium.
Gospel music is now a global industry, churning out songs in all genres. Religious lyrics are now even being sung in hip hop. I predict that gospel music will eventually become the fastest growing segment in the music sector.
The participation of the Christian Churches in Mashramani is growing. But has it been effective in reducing the lewdness and vulgarity associated with Mash Day revelry?
I think the answer is no. In fact, the vulgarity and lewdness are becoming more pronounced on Mash Day. Sometimes, I wonder how some of the women folk who engage in these lewd displays are able to face their peers after the event is over.
I wonder if they ever stop to think about the example they are setting for the children. I am saddened also when I see children also engaging in some of these provocative dances.
It is therefore clear that the Churches have failed to impact on the morality of the Mash Day revelry and should now seriously consider their future participation in Mash Day activities.
The intentions of the Churches were laudable. But they must now consider how their continued participation in Mash Day activities, given the lewdness and vulgarity that takes centre stage, would hurt their credibility.
The Churches must make a decision whether their continued participation will be helpful to rebuilding public morals or whether the association with the lewdness will in fact have the counter effect.
This columnist believes that the Churches should withdraw from participation in the parade and should instead involve themselves in other Mashramani events, perhaps, such as the Soca and Calypso Competitions. Who knows? Maybe the next Calypso or Soca Monarch could be someone singing a religious song.
With just a few days left, the Churches must decide whether they will take to the streets this year or whether they would not serve a better purpose by totally dissociating themselves with an activity in which there has become far too much vulgarity.
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