"The day we begin
to be silent about the things that matter is the day we begin to die."
Martin Luther King Jr.
I consider myself one of Barbados' and the Caribbean's most conciliatory, skilful and effective advocates of the dangers of both religious and secular fundamentalist thought systems - fundamentalist forms of Christianity, Rastafarianism, Pan Africanism, Capitalism, Communism, Feminism, Scientism, Scholasticism etc.
At the Thirty-Second Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, June 2 to 4, 2002, I identified all fundamentalist thought systems - including fundamentalist strains of modern medical science - as the greatest threat to the world's peace and security. Addressing a forum of Governmental and NGO representatives, I identified such fundamentalist thinking as part of a continuum of divisiveness and violence: a continuum linking the pettiest prejudicial thoughts to the most pernicious, terrifying acts - such as those of the terrorists of the 9/11 tragedy.
I am also one of the youngest contributors to York University's "Caribbean Religions Project". A summary of my book "The Bible: beauty and terror reconciled", addressing Christian fundamentalism, is to be published as part of that Project. In his foreword to this text, Barbadian historian Trevor Marshall recommends my research and conclusions as manifestations of my pursuit of "the quintessence of spirituality".
As a poet-philosopher, free-lance journalist and publisher, deftly negotiating the minefield of intersecting (and one might add incestuous) economic, political, religious and racial interests that dominate Caribbean life, I believe I have managed to establish my voice as an independent advocate of social reform, justice and progress.
A catalyst of the 1990's cultural renaissance in my native Barbados, I have also distinguished myself in the minds of some observers as both a steadfast nationalist and an earnest internationalist.On the nationalist front, I am known for, among other things, my work as a founding member of Voices: Barbados Writers' Collective (possibly the Caribbean's longest running literary group). I was also one of the more outspoken supporters of the Barbados Government's Commission for Pan African Affairs and the first co-ordinator of this island's National Poetry Month, introduced by the Commission.
My internationalist views led me to found the former Roots Academy in 1992, the entity, now called Intelek International. Through Intelek I seek to promote the common origins (roots) and purposes of the human family. This internationalist orientation was also the inspiration behind my "pilgrimages" in 2003 to Egypt and the Vatican.Actually, travel plays a major role in my life. It has long been a goal of mine to visit every country in the world. Marrying a British travel agent who shares my passion for travel has helped me in the pursuit of this goal.
I'm currently working on a travel lover's project I'm calling "Born To Fly". The title is taken from my poem "Honestly" above, and speaks to the freedom and transcendence that comes with openness to all the beauty and truth our humanity holds.That project is developing quite nicely, with fellow travel lovers from Europe,
the Phillipines, Canada and North and South America, showing keen interest. I'll
be sharing more about it on this website in the days ahead. Essentially, it
represents a reconciliation of my nationalist and internationalist agendas. My
Pan Humanist credo offers useful insights
into what such a recociliation mean for me.
My literary and publishing career began in 1988 with the publication of religious tracts, reflecting my views as a Pentecostal Christian. However, while religion is still a significant theme in my work, the evolution of my spirituality has led me to engage a much wider range of subject matters - including politics, education, sports, the arts and gender issues - and to do so in a more holistic manner.
To-date, of my own writing, I have published two collections of poems, a number of booklets, an audio book entitled Lewd Logic (on CD and cassette) and two comic books.I have also published Barbadian "Mother Poet" Margret Gill's first collection of poems "Lyric You" and a work of literary criticism by feminist activist and educator Viola Jones-Davis' entitled "The Creative Use of Schizophrenia In Caribbean Writing".
I believe I can also claim, with some justification, to have indirectly contributed to a number of other publications, through my catalytic contribution - along with Joy Workman, Dr. Mark McKwatt, James Carmichael, Nailah Imoja (Charmaine Gill), Margret Gill and others -to Barbados' current literary and broader cultural renaissance.Unfortunately, the glory-grabbing propensities and pettiness of some writers, coupled with the opportunism of some Barbadian politicos has led to my contribution in this area being seriously devalued. I have even had to endure a long-running campaign of character assassination. The document Fundamentalist Feminism on this site, and my forthcoming book "Stigmata" elaborate on these challenges.
A rather outspoken and engaging person, I have been a significant contributor to national debate through numerous television appearances and interventions on local call-in programs. In March 2005 I spoke on the sensitive intersection of religion and popular Caribbean Culture at the University of Miami's "Calypso and the Caribbean Literary Imagination" Conference. This was my first visit to the United States - another "pilgrimage" of sorts.
I recently completed a BA in Linguistics and, among other things, I'm currently working on an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, for which the Calypso Conference was an important catalyst.I am currently living in England with my wife Sharon, a British travel and property consultant and our two year old daughter.