As a fellow enslaved nation isle, the behaviour of the 1960's Trinidad authorities in removing 'illegal' citizens of Grenada from their shores,by the pronunciation of the 'box' word is nothing short of deplorable, and a continuation of the 'slave owners' regime of atrocities within the region.

Reflectively, this harsh, behaviour is at times due to lack of historical inter-island knowledge, taking into account the mass movement of slaves within the region, some of these 'Grenadians' forefathers/mothers could speculatively, have been born in Trinidad, and sold as slaves to Grenadian slaveowners!


What action did Grenada take towards their citizens defence? Did the said Trinidad team offered an apology for this ruthless, belittling behaviour? If no apology was put forward at the time, a personal cry goes out to the present 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Government for an apology to descendants of all Grenadian citizens affected down the generational line, by this enslaving behavioural 'pronunciation' of the word 'box' traits shown at that specific time?

Lady G,

I do not recalled hearing of any formal apology coming from the Trinbago government in regards to their treatment of Grenadians back in the late fifties/early sixties. But much to their credit, their "post box" behavior and disparaging sentiments had dissipated as the reality of Black Power/identy, Caribbean unity and Grenadians contributions to their nation-building efforts took hold in a manner that was undisputable.

The most noted calypso that pointed to Caribbean "homogenousness" was that of Lord Nelson's rendition reminding all that "all ah we is one family". The Mighty Sparrow, in undoubtedly one of, if not, the the best calypso ever made, "Slave"  had revitalized our consciousness with that rendition and slowly TnT began its own Renaissance which included claiming their Grenadian heritage.

They had come full circle in recognizing their Grenadian roots because it was no longer fashionable to isolate people from neighboring islands. In addition, the growing pains that came with the acceptance of National identity throughout the Caribbean had recognized the necessity for TnT to quickly make that transition because by then, the Grenadian influences had permeated itself right up to the upper echelon of their government.

VJL

>>the reality of Black Power/identy, Caribbean unity and Grenadians contributions to their nation-building efforts took hold in a manner that was undisputable.<<

Verne, you hit the nail directly on the head!! Even "Guave" as Trinis used to disparagingly pronounce our town's name, plus the negatives that were associated with the idea of "Guave" have radically changed.
Indeed, Trinis today have shying away from their past "stupidity" and instead are readily and proudly claiming their Grenadian heritage, with "Guave" correctly pronunced, Gouyave.

Today we can unflinchingly say that Lord Blakie's "if you see how dey holding the scamps and dem boy you bound to laff" is dead and buried as we are now comfortably in the age of "all ah we is one family" as Lord Nelson reminded us.

Whilst I do understand that some Grenadian folks with Trinidadian citizenship or whatever, has moved on and are partakers in the hierarchy of the Trinidadian and Tobago government, arts, calypso, or sciences etc. Someone along the authority line on one of the isles should have spoken out on this deplorable, arrogant treatment, nothing short of a humiliating, insultive 'box' word pronunciation issue - and demanded an apology. I am quite surprise that island leaders did not speak out on behalf of the affected 'box' folks! over the years, should this behavioural action be just swept under the carpet or a white sandy beach?

Reflectively, were the Trinidadians authority during that 1950/1960's era such 'perfect' English speakers - with the ability to pronounce the word 'box' like an born native English speaker, to use or add this humiliating ploy to belittle and betray other fellow once enslaved islanders? Even to this day, there are islanders with a noticeable unique 'linguistic vocal twang' which is very and quickly identifiable even by other islanders!

Even in the UK, the differing counties or 'shires folks would pronounce the word 'box' with their different county or 'shire linguistic twang! Would someone from say Liverpool pronounce the word 'box' the same as say a London cockney speaker?

Constantly, we read about global folks seeking apologies for historical or cultural past wrongs, well, I am seeking an apology, from the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago government team for this past historical cultural humiliating wrong to fellow island citizens! As a matter of perpetual communal island upbuilding - an apology should be given NOW, on behalf of the affected still remaining family folks down the generational line during that era.

So, on my platform, I put forth a call for this historical cultural shameful wrong 'box' pronunciation issue to be reviewed and discussed in the Trinidad and Tobago parliament NOW - on the basis that the leaders at that time acted in an arrogant, insultive, derogative, totally unacceptable political manner!