A Platinum Jubilee Lookback Moment: When Two Queens Met – Elizabeth II Meets My Queen Mother

As I watch the coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, I thought I should share a photo of the “Queen Mother” being introduced to my mom and dad during her visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 1966. I vaguely recall the event, being a preschooler at the time. The framed original, however, was one of those that hung on our living room walls, in it black-and-white beauty. I know my dad, George, was extremely proud of that moment; when the twin-island nation’s last Colonial Governor and first Governor General, Sir Solomon Hochoy, proudly presented the President of the National Association Of Trinidad and Tobago Steelbandsmen (NATTS) to Her Royal Highness. I know my mom is also appreciative of being the one alongside my dad during that historic moment on the Botanical Gardens lawn in Port of Spain. And, clearly, I am also proud to have been a part of that history, even though I barely recall who “babysat” me, as my dad conducted official duties. With that said, I hope you all enjoy this photo as much as I continue to. And, I love the fact that it was captured in black-and-white, as sometimes colour/color, distracts from the beauty and details of whatever we view. Skin included. This concludes my “Queen Story”.

George D. Goddard

L to R: Sir Solomon Hochoy, Queen Elizabeth II, George Goddard, Mona Goddard.

My Book Of Proverbs: The Hook Line.

Painting A Few Words With A Picture.

MARCH MADNESS: IT’S AWESOME, BABY!

The More Things Don’t Change…the more they remain the same.

Unquestionably, George “Sonny” Goddard is the G.O.A.T. of (what is now) Pan Trinbago. Goddard is the ONLY person that history can record as being leader of the steelbands’ association under all three of its names. So, it was fitting that this town hall meeting was so named in his honor. (Click anywhere on the YouTube image below.)

This meeting, led to a report that was published by Panicle Trinidad Ltd.; a report that included recommendations based on the findings of our research. And, like Goddard, we also warned “panmen and panwomen” against Pan Trinbago, in terms of the formers’ survival and livelihood. Fast-forward to today, and “pannists” (their accepted titles) are in no better position or condition, than they were in 2014. And, I predicted as much.

Why? Because, in 2014, pannists (or whatever you’d like to call them) were no better socioeconomically or socio-politically juxtaposed than they were in 1970, when my dad (Goddard) raised the red flag. They were as dependent then as they are today. Insanity is truly expecting a different result (drawing from Einstein’s quote), and I predict that things will remain the same. At least, until a bona fide leader in the likes of George “Sonny” Goddard emerges and takes the reign. Feel free to quote me on that.

George D. Goddard.

Happy Birthday George “Sonny” Goddard!!!

I just published the first episode of my new podcast! Listen to Panning The Globe™ on Anchor https://anchor.fm/pan-in-the-globe/episodes/Celebrating-The-Life-and-Legacy-Of-George-Sonny-Goddard-Godfather-Of-The-Steelband-Movement-evkccp

Women In Pan: The Unsung Sheroes – Mona Goddard.

Mona in her early twenties.

It is absolutely fitting that Women’s History Month would culminate (climax) on my mom’s “Earth Arrival Day”. As the wife of steelband’s most iconic union leader, she may never have played pan or even cared about playing pan, but she made it possible for my dad to make history! George “Sonny” Goddard was because of her. Without her, our subculture and “national instrument” would not have seen their “Coming of Age” as early as the mid-1960s. Mommy…for you:

“A young mother grabs the old Klim pan filled with assorted wooden and plastic clothes pins, as she walks out of the small 6th floor apartment with young boy child in one hand. She walks pass the broken, taped-off elevator, and they make their way down the musty, dim lit U-shaped flight of stairs leading to the building’s back exit. She struggles to push the door open, and they head to the clothes line outside. It is already dark, as it is a week day, and her chores come after a long day at the bank where the money flows, but not into her tiny, tired hands.”

“She methodically hangs out her family’s clothes on whatever lines are available. When she is done, she grabs her young son, and they proceed up the flight of steps back up to the 6th floor. She is tired, but she knows that her husband and sons still need their shirts and trousers to be ironed for the next day. And so she proceeds to grab the starch, set up the ironing board and heat up the iron, while telling us to brush our teeth and to get ready for bed. A nation awards her husband, but even he knew who the real shero was.” George D Goddard, On Unsung Sheroes.

PHOTO: My mom (right) with my dad, as they are introduced to Queen Elizabeth II by Sir Solomon Hochoy in 1966.

Dancing with my Queen

#happybirthday #womeninpan #Sheroes

Black History Month: Pan-Africanism and the Connecting of the Steel Drum/Steelpan to Black History

Most people with a basic knowledge of the history of the steel drum/steelpan/pan, have no difficulty in connecting the percussive instrument to its Trinidad origins. However, few are able to make the connection between the instrument and “Black History”. Arguably, not many are aware of steelpan’s Western African (Yoruba) roots. In celebration and honor of Black History Month 2021, Panicle USA will bring into focus this overlooked contribution to Black history, namely, the STEELBAND. Naturally, as with other African contributions to the arts, today’s “steel orchestra” appears more diverse than the early “steelbands”. Factually, the “inventors” and earliest practitioners were documented as being young, Black men from “underprivileged areas”.

“In Africa, we ‘invented’ the talking drum. In Trinidad, we ‘invented’ the singing drum.” George D. Goddard

In 1963, George “Sonny” Goddard (my dad), as co-founder of the inaugural Steelbands Panorama, would express disgust over the marginalization of the (predominantly) Black “steelbandsman” [sic]. Sadly, race and class remain inconvenient factors in post-Colonial Trinidad and Tobago in every facet of society. It becomes more of a coincidence then, that “Pan-Africanism” (as a construct) aims at connecting ALL “Black people” in the Diaspora. “Pan” and “Africanism” as hyphenated, conjoined twin! Of course, effective Pan-Africanism requires connections with (BOTH) the “Motherland” (Alkebulan/Africa), and with each other as the “scattered seeds” in the Daispora (i.e. African-Americans and Caribbean/West Indian people of African descent).

Unfortunately, African-Americans were never adequately exposed to the “steelband culture” of Trinidad and Tobago, and, as a consequence, only a handful feel a connection to it, in terms of its “Africanness”, and their claim to it (being African descendants themselves). We, at Panicle USA, aim to function as “cultural ambassadors” as we remain focused on connecting this (steelband) subculture to the African Diaspora in the United States. Stay plugged in to our website, as we will be adding featured articles, videos and photos, that will make the connection as discussed. Happy Black History Month!

George D. Goddard

Cultural farewell for Singing Sandra on Wednesday

https://newsday.co.tt/2021/02/01/cultural-farewell-for-singing-sandra-on-wednesday-and-thursday/

RISE IN PARADISE, SINGING SANDRA!!!

As we celebrate Black History Month across the United States, it is important that the contributions of Blacks in the Diaspora be given attention, as calypso was once the “hip-hop” of America’s music industry. (Search: Rum and Coca-Cola.)

Singing Sandra was one of those unique voices in a subculture once considerd “daily news” for the working class. Her topics were exclusive; her lyrics targeted. She was a proud, Black, “Trinbagonian” woman, who used her “bully pulpit” to uplift the listener.

In honor of “Mother”, we share this Newsday article, as we ask that those who are not aware of her contributions, search for them on the internet and elsewhere. May she be welcomed among the Realm of Ancestors. Ase O.

LISTEN! YOU HEAR?

The link below, redirects to one of my earlier Facebook notes. People tend to “hear”, and wait for “soundbites”, or the chance to “butt in” and intercept your conversation before listening to the entirety of your points.

Many can’t wait for you to finish speaking, and when they “respond”, their input often has nothing to do with the point that you were attempting to make, and everything to do with the point(s) that they wish to “discuss”.

In order for any conversation to be cohesive, however, all involved parties MUST be willing to “listen” and not just simply hear what others are saying. Listening, in all actuality, requires more than just the use of our ears, but the engaging of mind, body and spirit, as we attempt to communicate effectively.

George D. Goddard

Click on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/george-d-goddard/is-anyone-listening-by-george-d-goddard/10150471520608690/

Monday’s Motivation…

REMEMBER: Without extreme pressure and numerous cuts, a diamond would have remained a piece of coal. Be that forever diamond!!!

Sometimes, we tend to ignore the value of tough life lessons. Naturally, we expect everything to turn out the way we would like. But, life is not as generous in granting wishes based on our own deadlines. Success, does not expose itself, until a process of passing thorough proverbial fires and emerging like the Phoenix out of its fiery pyre , occurs.

In our business lives, as in our private lives, we must develop the spiritual, psychological and physical power, in order to overcome the numerous challenges and obstacles that fall upon us. Most of them, if not all, are beyond our control, however, neither of them have control over how we internalize them as they pop up. And, most importantly, we must be able to learn from those challenging moments; to be able to carry the lessons learnt with us, as we anticipate the next challenge or obstacle, but this time with more information (data or knowledge) than one had prior to the last challenge.

One of the keys to successfully progressing from “lesson to lesson”, is to have no emotional attachment to any of them. I know, as “feeling” human beings, that may seem to be a tall order, however, that is the only way to stop dwelling in the past and feeling sorry for yourself. I refer to those lessons for intellectual purposes only; to assist me in my decision-making during current challenges and in planning for upcoming challenges. Every lesson, in all actuality, either hardens or cracks their subjects. Coal that survives the pressure of the earth crust, metamorphosizes into the hardest naturally-occurring substance on Earth!

So, as you start a new “work week”, remind yourself of your own hardened value. Life placed you under pressure, and continues to do so, in order to increase your net worth! Of course, even in your “coal” stage, you were worth something, because ALL the elements of your value, were there all along; hidden in their chemical structure, and in wait for the pressures of life to incubate them, and convert you to the bright, glittering gem that you ALWAYS were! Shine on, radiant diamond!!! Have a great week!

George D. Goddard, B. A.