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Villians 2001 By Annan Boodram |
In the Caribbean world, France based Trinidad & Tobago basketball player Kwame James who helped to overcome a would be hijacker on an American Airlines flight from France to the US in late December was indeed a star a hero feted by the media.
His fellow Trinidadian, British based author, Sir Vidia S. Naipaul finally gained the coveted Nobel Prize for Literature becoming the second Caribbean to do so after St. Lucia's Derek Walcott. He was also the third Caribbean to win a Nobel prize. Another St. Lucian, Sir Arthur Lewis had won it in Economics.
But while Naipaul was given accolades for grabbing the world's most prestigious prize, he was simultaneously criticized for not mentioning the land of his birth in his initial remarks after being informed of his selection. That was seen not only as a blunder of the first magnitude but also as the latest barb in Naipaul's campaign of dissing the Caribbean.
In politics, retired General Colin Powell, born in the US of Jamaican parents, became the first black man to hold the position of US Secretary of State. Yvette Clarke, also of Jamaican parentage and St. Vincentian, Dr. Kendall Stewart won seats on the New York City council, while Helen Marshall, who claimed Guyanese heritage, became the first black pre
sident
of the borough of Queens.St. Lucia's Dr. Kenny Anthony walked away with a landslide victory at the polls, proving that his people certainly think he has been doing a good job.
Guyana's president Bharrat Jagdeo displayed statesmanship in a very difficult situation. Hobbled by the antiquated instrument of democratic centralism of his party, The People's Progressive Party, and having to content with the aggressive machination of a desperate opposition leader, Desmond Hoyte, Jagdeo's government has been able to move the economy forward, foster development, tackle the social problems with great seriousness and even begin to attack corruption. He has endeared himself to all sections of the population and has earned plaudits internationally.
Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur also stood tall for his role in representing the Caribbean at negotiations to address money laundering and for doing a good job as head of the government. In fact, Barbados has proven to be one of the few small nations that has improved many aspects of life for its citizens.
Barbadian born Canadian, Senator Anne Cools, made headlines in bringing bigotry and racism to the fore in Canada's senate and in the public's eye. And fellow Canadian, Trinidadian Heidi Fry, became the first Caribbean to earn a cabinet post.
In the twin island republic, Ramesh Maharaj, Ralph Maraj and Trevor Sudama displayed political courage in speaking out against corruption even though it meant placing their political careers in jeopardy.
And in England Guyanese born Baroness Valerie Amos, Dominican born Baroness Patricia Scotland and Lord Waheed Ali, born of Caribbean parents, not only reached peerhood but became influential players in Britain's politics.
One of the biggest blunderer in 2001 was former Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday. Rather than using a unique opportunity presented him to prove his statesmanship, Panday became the ultimate third world despot and forced three very influential colleagues out of the party. This arrogance sent him to the polls and out of the government one year after being returned to power.
In his handling of the entire situation President ANR did not earn plaudits for himself. Robinson's relationship with Panday had never been on even keel and many felt that the president used the opportunity presented him to get back at Panday. After a tied election, Robinson ended up choosing a government without offering any plausible explanation while going against the spirit of the nation's constitution.
Another president who was not a media darling was Haiti's Bertrand Aristides. Contrary to the principles that govern a man of the cloth and going against the promises of peace and healing that he had made, Aristides encouraged his supporters to violence with his zero tolerance policy and never took any concrete steps to punish the perpetrators of such violence. Nor was he able to do anything to help heal the political breach after an election boycotted by the opposition. The result is that millions of dollars of much needed aid is being withheld from Haiti, the nation remains much the same as it was under previous dictators and Haitians continue to risk lives in fleeing across the ocean to America, Jamaica, Bahamas and any nation that they feel may give them asylum.
Former US Attorney General, Barbadian born Eric Holder, who was caught in the center of the Marc Rich scandal in which one of America's most notorious business tycoon was pardoned by the Bill Clinton administration, faced much heat and ended his career in government on a low rather than high.
Also facing much heat was the current government of Lester Bird in Antigua after being plagued by scandal after scandal. Among these were the child pornography ring, and the medical benefits scheme - half a billion dollars spent on a 40 bed institution.
Jamaican prime minister PJ Patterson earned no credit for his inability to deal with the endemic and burgeoning crime situation in his country. And both political parties, the PNP and the JLP, were soundly criticized for their association with crime lords (dons) and for being unable to arrive at common measures to tackle crime.
In Guyana the ruling People's Progressive Party faced much criticism for continuing to operate under marxist principles and thereby stymieing development, for refusing to facilitate the many offers of help from qualified Guyanese around the world and for not vigorously tacking the issue of corruption that pervades the political and public service structure.
Also taking criticism was New York based Guyanese attorney Trevor Rupnarine for making many fundamental mistakes in his failed council elections campaign. Many felt that the candidate acted as if the community was beholden to him rather than the other way round.
Regionally Caribbean governments came in for flak for not doing enough to address the plague of AIDS that threatens to destabilize the region's economies.
In the art and entertainment world, Jamaican reggae superstar Shaggy shone bright with his single "It Wasn't Me" emerging as the UK's best-selling single of 2001 reaching 1.15 million copies. Shaggy was also confirmed as the biggest-selling album artist in the US, having sold 5.5 million copies of his CD Hot Shot.
Sharing the lead spotlight with Shaggy were the Bahamas group, Bahamen whose "Who Let the Dogs Out" was the No. 1 album of the year for the second year running in Billboard Magazine. BahaMen won Top World Music Artist, Top Independent Album, Top World music Album and Top Independent Album Artist.
Calypso legend the Mighty Sparrow capped his far from over career with the Caribbean's highest honor - the Order of The Caribbean
Community.Haitian director Raoul Peck continued to provide top class movies with his film on the life of African revolutionary, Patrice Lumumba. The film, entitled 'Lumumba' won critical acclaim worldwide.
And Bahamas supermodel Shakara Ford was the only non-white model to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She was also featured in Victoria Secrets, Ebony and Jet Magazines.
On the flip side the organizers took a lot of flak for their handling of the Tamika Reggae Awards. The media was unsparing in its criticism and many patrons demanded a return of their money.
And British born supermodel, Naomi Campbell, who is of Caribbean parentage continued to make media headlines for her infamous temper. Some tabloids remarked that even anger management classes were not able to help her.
In the world of business and finance Avinash Persaud, born in England of Caribbean parentage, was cited by the international media as one of the world's leading financial market analyst. He was invariably quoted by Business Week, The Economist and other leading finance/business publications. And his comments on the market were carefully monitored by the international business community.
Jamaican business tycoon, Butch Stewart was cited as one of the 25 most influential persons in the travel and tourism industry. Guyanese owned conglomerate, Laparkan, took a pioneering step into giving back by launching its teacher incentive awards in Guyana. Trinidadian media magnate Ken Gordon struck a blow for the media by standing up to former prime minister Basdeo Panday and winning his case in court. Jamaican, Basil L. Anderson, made it into the elite group fortune 500 executives when he was appointed vice chairman of Staples Inc. And Jamaica Chinese financial gurus, Michael Lee Chin and Raymond Chang made headlines as two of Canada's most successful and richest investment wizards.
Also Guyanese born, British businesswoman, Yvonne Thompson became the first black woman to be honored by the European Union of Women. And Barbadian businessman, Ralph Williams won the inaugural World Entrepreneur of the Year award for multiple enterprise creation.
In public life Jamaican born Washington teacher, Colin Brown won the 'Oscar' of teaching - the Milken family Foundation National Educator Award. And Guyanese born Air Commodore David Case broke through the glass ceiling in the Royal Air Force when he received his appointment.
Haitian American immigrant, Enrico St. Cleyr displayed great courage in challenging the 1996 immigration law in court and winning a major victory for immigrants throughout the US. The ruling made it unconstitutional for immigrants who had committed crimes prior to the 1996 law to be deported without allowing them to seek reprieve.
Guyana's First Lady, Varshnie Jagdeo proved to be indomitable in raising funds and establishing contacts for her Kids First organization which has been set up to provide medical and other assistance to Guyana's needy children.
And Dr. Raj Persaud, brother of Avinash Persaud, reinforced his position as Britain's leading psychologist with his columns and TV programs garnering huge followings.
On the flip side, the USA Pandits Parishad gained no praise for its handling of the problems at the Durga Shiva Mandir in New York City. In the view of many, the Parishad not only contravened its own constitution but continued to prove that its sole goal is to defend pandits(Hindu priests) regardless of the wrongs they commit.
Suriname judge, Albert Ramnewash who sentenced a former defense minister, Dwarka Panday, to only three years of probation for raping a 13 year old girl was criticized for sending the message that it was okay to rape young girls once the rapist was someone of status.
And Trinidad born Utrice Leid, formerly of WBAI public radio did not bring herself any credit for her role in the firing of many of the New York station's long time employees, for padlocking the doors on employees and for attempting to censor programs and anchors.
Another radio personality who did himself no credit was Guyanese born Robert Mohamed who operated an illegal radio station in New York City while giving the impression that the station was legal. Even when he was arrested by the FCC he still kept up the pretense. And he displayed what many allege to be arrogance by making absurd claims such as being responsible for the success of the Phagwah Parade, a parade that predated his radio by many years.