I just want to play mehself, leave me let me play a mas......" These are the words of Machel "Monk Monte" Montano T&T's Reigning Soca Monarch and Road March King. This is the general feeling of masqueraders on the road in our Carnival Nation. The new Carnival anthem says "when I feting of course, I does do it like a boss".
Dr Rowley has represented this title on the road for Carnival as naturally being a political celebrity he was flanked by fellow female masqueraders. Social media has been populated with photos showing Dr Rowley and many persons posing for photos and there are a couple pics where he takes a wine with a beautiful and vibrant looking masquerader.
There are some who object to Dr Rowley's actions based on him being the Opposition Leader or Prime Minister in waiting but I am wondering if these people have any idea of the realities of playing mas on the road. Band members on the road for Carnival are in celebration mode and I don't know of anyone who played mas in a band and didn't get a wine or jam whether on purpose or by the way especially as a celebrity.
I think persons are trying to be mischievous and bring politics into a Carnival mas band experience. If you are in a band and additionally good looking you "will" get a jam or wine from somebody and if you add celebrity status to that then you need an energy drink.
The key is to be self respecting and decent as we all need to be so composed. Therefore as people looking on in context, this was Dr Rowley on the road for Carnival uncut and unedited. He was having a good time in true Trinibagonian style.
From all reports, the masquerader that "took a wine" with Dr Rowley has had a very suprised reaction to the persons attempting to blow it up. Her account is that she had a good time and anything outside of that is being small minded.
There are those who look forward to the Carnival celebrations and others who simply don't partake for their own personal reasons. My sentiment is that if you are coming out to play mas on the road, do it like a boss!
Ronald Huggins
St Joseph