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October 14, 2024
‘As a young man, I faced the world bravely and
confidently because of my education on the street.’
Two points in the discourse on The Campus Yard Interview resonated deeply. Gibbons’ portrayal of the ‘lime’ as a form of theatre instantly transported me to a vibrant era in Success Village, Laventille, a time and space when our community thrived.
Liming was a pastime and a catalyst for flourishing sports and cultural activities: the numerous football and cricket teams; the iconic steel bands like Highlanders and 
Savoys, the festive Carnival and Christmas bands; the skilled costume makers like Harold Mitchell; the champion kite makers like Speedy (Conrad Sammy), and the soulful singing groups like The Blue Veils–these were the beating heart of our community, nurturing and inspiring creativity in every individual. From these limes, our storytellers, calypsonians like Crazy and King Austin, and comedians emerged. As a young man, I faced the world bravely and confidently because of my education on the street.
The other point that stood out was the colonial education that we, Trinity Old Boys, were subjected to, which continues today. We never learned to appreciate our ancestry and were denied the opportunity to express our creativity. Nevertheless, we prevailed.
Thank God for the privilege of “liming on the block!” Our modern generations think that liming is music, wining and drinking. Little or nothing of cultural, sporting, or national significance is spawned.
Although I commend Rawle for his work, it is not embedded in the grassroots. It appeals to the intellectually endowed and needs to be broadened and restructured to include or sensitize the common man/woman. People-focused ventures should embrace and help reshape as many of us as possible. For example, how will Campus Yard
be a game changer in the future of communities that are encased in stigmatization and overwhelmed by gangsterism? Is the Yard interested in contributing to the re-education of the masses, particularly the youth, who have not had the experiences we (the true, true limers) cherish so dearly? Or, is it hoping that its graduates will meaningfully disseminate their acquired knowledge and skills in the communities from which they came?
Whither goeth the future?
Monty Guy is an observer of Caribbean life and its diverse complexities.