Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has condemned a promotional stunt by the band Tribe, calling it inappropriate and a threat to young people during Carnival celebrations.
“If what I’m seeing on social media is right, Tribe wants to hand out an adult female sex toy to the bags of all the females buying their costume. #Tribegonetoofar,” the Archbishop said during his homily at Mass at Archbishop’s Chapel, Monday, February 9.
He stressed, “just as I’ve asked the government to regulate social media for the sake of our children, if Tribe cannot pull back on its own, I think the government will have to regulate it. #Tribegonetoofar.”
Archbishop Gordon declared, “Our country is not for sale, and our young people are not for sale. We the good citizens of this beautiful country have to start putting guard rails for our children.”
He criticised the broader trend of Carnival becoming dominated by a few commercial entities.
“Now these are the same people who own Stink and Dutty. The same people who own Get Naked. The same people who own Island Crashers that corrupt our children every single year in Tobago. Owned by one person. Two people max,” Archbishop Gordon said.
He also criticised the commercialisation of Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
“I’m talking about Carnival Monday and Tuesday and I’m talking about the fete industry… This is big business.”
Despite his concerns, Archbishop Gordon praised the cultural and artistic aspects of Carnival.
“I love Carnival. Last week I was in Renegades. I go to all the pan sides. There’s so much beauty about this Carnival that has come from the bowels and belly of our nation.”
“Whatever happens in Trinidad Carnival goes to Barbados. It goes to Grenada. It goes to St Vincent. It goes all up the islands. We cannot be the people exporting this level. What we now reach to is hedonism.”
Archbishop Gordon also reflected on Carnival’s historical and social significance, referencing his recent literary work. “Two years ago, I wrote this book, Rekindling Our Carnival Rhythms, where I trace the history of Carnival from before slavery right through, showing how Carnival really shows the social history of our nation.”
“As Carnival goes, so our nation is. It’s really only reflecting who we are. It’s not driving it, but it’s doing both.”
Concluding with a call for collective action, Archbishop Gordon urged citizens and authorities to prioritise safety and preserve Carnival’s spirit.
“If the company is unwilling to dial it back, then the citizens have to ask the government to put regulations. ….We’ve been heading down the wrong road here. Let’s get back to safety for our young people who want to play Carnival.”
He also called for citizens to go to Tribe’s Facebook to register their disapproval with the hashtag #Tribegonetoofar.
