Newsletter for
alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas,
1 of April 2021 No.1009 Apr
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Dear
Friends,
Here in Venezuela the day of Innocents Saints is
celebrated on the 28 of December, do not confuse this issue and tag it as
Fool´s Day.
I appreciate comments and shall publish them as soon
as they are received.
I thank those that have asked and have send in funds
anonymously.
At the end of this issue, you will find the
instructions to send funds, I know your limitations.
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Racism at the Abbey School?
Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>
4 Jan 2021, 02:39
Oh dear,
Joe, what’s troubling you, please?
I have little idea as to what really is
your problem and what can I do to make it right?
If it is that I have referred to the
Brother who was in charge of the apiary as “Brother Swa” then I should explain:
I began in Form 3 at the Abbey School in
1955. Among the many interesting facts of life at the school, I soon
discovered, was the realization that almost everyone, including the teachers
and priests, had been given a nickname by the boys. One quickly became aware of
these names, which actually were names, might I suggest, of endearment and
acceptance.
One would never speak of Fr. Bernard,
but he was transformed into “Bobo” or “Bobes”, Fr. Benedict was re-named
“Voosh”, Fr. Eugene was nicknamed “Mozart”, Fr. Gregory was “Duck”, Fr.
Ildefons became “Scroongy”, Fr. Augustine was named “Rughead”, Fr. Lee Sing was
“J.C.” and “Cutty” of later, well-beloved memory, a.k.a Fr. Cuthbert”
Among the boys there was widespread
acceptance of this fact of life, and before you knew it, guys were more popularly
re-named as “Nylon”, Koji Joe, “Gabby”, “Pampy”, George Mickiewicz was known as
“Shish” and so on and so on. Don Mitchell himself became “Boxhead” and his
younger brother “Little Boxhead”, Geoffrey Ames was “Bighead”, Simon da Costa,
now in New Zealand, was “Little Beam” because his taller, older brother was
“Mr. Beam” (R.I.P), and Richard Farah became “ Mousie”. I was not fortunate to
acquire a nickname myself. Richard Galt, our top swimmer with the handle
“Turtle Back” had a younger brother, Randall, (also R.I.P) who rejoiced in the
nickname “SWAMI”, but he certainly was not Afro-American.
Nicknames really said a lot and
indicated friendship, popularity, the recognition of prowess at one-or-other
sport or some such attribute. It never occurred to me, and possibly to others
of those days, that it might be considered racist or whatever else for
references to one’s body-fat, head-shape, different accent, clothing, colour or
name. These names were popularly bestowed by an admiring school of boys / young
men upon their peers, who might have been good runners, tennis players,
footballers, trumpet-blowers, Queen Scouts, carpenters, electronics-admirers,
pole-vaulters, etc.
We rejoiced in the company of black boys
as well, with seemingly little appreciation that perhaps they might just prefer
if we would call them by their real names. The two Xavier brothers were very
good examples of manhood, and my dear friend, Wayne Vincent-Brown rejoiced in
his new name of “Koki-Joe” (so named because he had crossed-eyes). Egan Baichoo
from Guyana was a coloured boy, a friend of mine, who derived his nick-name by
reversing his real name – to become “Nage Oohciab”. He actually would call me
“Legin Soob”.
The only names I’ve ever known for Bro.
Vincent were “Bro. Vince” or, behind his back “Vincey”. And the only name I’ve
ever heard for the Apiary Manager was “Bro. Swa”. This was never intended as a
racist comment, but, as I have tried to explain, it was merely, in my days at
the Mount, the popular name by which the Brother who was the Apiary Manager was
known. This was the 1955-60 period, Joe, some time before the next generation
of youngsters arrived at the Mount and themes of racism and the need for other
more politically-correct positions were being made elsewhere.
I have noted your hurt and your concern
with the use of the nickname which had been assigned to the Brother, and I
appreciate your feelings about it. I would not have used his nickname, had I
known his real name, and since I now realize that I have offended you, I am
very sorry and I offer my apology for so doing. I shall watch my use of the MSB
nicknames indeed, and be aware of the feelings of hurt which such use / abuse
has caused and can cause.
Now, I do not know where you derived the
idea that the word “S*a” has been classified as an Afro-American word, as I can
find no reference to that at all:
I would therefore like to know where
that thought originated, and furthermore, perhaps you can also let me know what
“Pichón”, as used in Cuba, means.
Finally, Joe, I must claim ignorance
about the incident to which you refer, namely that I supposedly am "still
in denial about the racism that existed in Abbey School which you so unfairly
condemned me for speaking about and in doing so singlehandedly put a major axe
to the unity of the Old Boys and destroyed the alumni association.” This is a
serious accusation, and I would ask you please to remind me of this incident.
Then, perhaps, we can begin a solid discussion about it. Frankly, it has been
quite a few years since you and I have spoken about anything at all, but I do
not recall ever discussing the idea of racism at the Abbey School with you or
with anyone else, and since you have accused me of doing so, I am asking for
your explanation of this matter.
And one more thing - I had also asked
about the name “Toolsie”, which is possibly another nickname from another Abbey
School generation, but no-one has yet been able to answer the question. Can you
clarify this for me?
With respect,
Nigel Boos
--------------------------------------------------------------
On Jan 3, 2021, at 2:25 PM, Joseph Berment-McDowald
<bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com> wrote:
Oh no Don, sorry.
If you read carefully (not meaning that
I made it clear as I should have) my response is intended for Nigel, who should
now do as he demanded of me and apologise publicly.
---------------------------------------------------------------
On Sun, Jan 3, 2021 at 2:49 PM, idmitch@anguillanet.com
Hello, Joe,
I cannot believe you directed this
accusation to me! I have never used the term swa in my life. I have repeatedly
in the past written about my experience of racism in the Abbey School. I have
written about my tiny and ineffective effort to counter this racism. I have
never condemned you for anything. I have always written in support of your
challenges against racism at the Abbey.
I have to believe that this accusation
was accidentally misdirected. But, if you really meant it, I am devastated by
the unfairness of it.
Don
--------------------------------------------------------------.
From: Joseph Berment-McDowald
<bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, 3 January 2021 12:57
Subject: Re: Ladislao's Circulars #996
Swa is a derogatory term used to refer to Afro Venezuelans much like
Pichón is used in Cuba. Swa means you dirty Black swine but I suppose that you
are still in denial about the racism that existed in Abbey School which you so
unfairly condemned me for speaking about and in doing so singlehandedly put a
major axe to the unity of the Old Boys and destroyed the alumni association.
-----------------------------------------------------------.
On Thu, Dec 31, 2020 at 4:39 AM, idmitch@anguillanet.com
How absolutely hilarious to read this, although I realise it was not so
at the time.
Best for the coming New Year.
Don
-----------------------------------------------------------.
From: Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 30 December 2020 23:03
Don,
Thank you for this latest email re.
Ladislao’s Circular #996.
Over the years I have really enjoyed the
Circulars from Laz. They’ve revived my drooping memory and sustained me with
the little stories, the pictures, the recollections, and so on.
Now, I do have a few comments and one
question.
Q: Who
is “Toolsie”, please. And could you add his name, if you know it, to the MSB
database?
My story: Dad worked for Texaco whose
Chairman at the time of this story was Mr. Augustus Long. He and his wife
visited Trinidad around 1958-9 and Mrs. Long expressed a desire to see for
herself the well-known apiary of Mt. St. Benedict, whence came “Pax" honey
The Texaco authorities received
permission from Fr. Abbot to visit the apiary. They also learned that the son
of one of their employees was a student at the Abbey School, MSB. (Of course
there were others, e.g. Roger Henderson) but somehow, I became the victim of
their silent planning) They asked my dad whether he would quietly ask his son -
i.e me - to escort Mrs. Long on her proposed visit to the apiary.
So said, so done.
Decked out in my finest Abbey School red
blazer, white long pants and tie, I awaited the black Texaco limousine under
the main canopy of the school in the company of Bobo (Fr. Bernard) and Bro.
Swa, quite ignorant of what my duties would entail. But I had been told that I
should engage Mrs. Long, if asked, in some brief banter about the school, the
monastery, etc.
The limo soon arrived, driven by a
properly-clad chauffeur with shoulder epaulettes, who opened the door of the
car, saluted Mrs. Long and stood politely to one side while formal
introductions were made.
The brief walk down to the bee-hives
with Mrs. Long and Bro. Swa was quite uneventful, but she was excited at the
beautiful view of the central plain of Trinidad from the school’s hill-top
location.
As it turned out, the hives themselves
had been placed on metal pipes which stood on concrete bases with their
openings jutting out southwards, over the “St. Augustine Valley”. There was no
way that Mrs. L. could see INTO the hives without leaning out over the valley
below, while holding on to the pipes themselves. But, as it turned out, that is
precisely what the good lady wished to do. And did!
She had not yet got into position,
holding on to the pipes and balancing herself as best she could, looking INTO
the hives’ entrances from the south, before a single bee decided to land in her
hair. Which was unfortunate! Mrs. Long straightened herself up and began
swatting at the bothersome bee. Apparently, however, one should not swat bees
while one is close to a number of actively- working other bees intent on
protecting their hives, their queens, their honey and themselves.
Standing back about ten feet from the
hives, poor Mrs. Long was by then swiping at her hair with both hands and
crying out loudly against the creatures as they basically attacked her. Bro.
Saw had already left the scene, running back the way we had come, back to the school
and to Bobo. I was left alone to try to help poor Mrs. Long. All I can remember
of the next few minutes was that I swiped at her hair to try to dislodge any
bees that might have been caught there. And then it happened!
I swiped the wig right off her head, as
we both raced after Bro. Swa to seek safety within the walls of Fr. Bernard’s
office.
I will never forget the day I thought I
had decapitated Mrs. Long.
May she rest In Peace.
Nigel
------------------------------------.
Ladislao Kertesz <kertesz11@gmail.com>
4 Jan 2021, 09:59
Hi Nigel,
I just wonder if us the Venezuelans
would have objected on what we were called or the east Indians.
I remember Urbano Fedak calling out the
arrival of Fr. Bernard, shouting BOBO. He was put to order after Mass.
Joe has a soft skin, so do not bother.
Here is your answer, I believe that it
was your annotation.
Happy New Year and wish you fast
recovery.
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Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>
5 Jan 2021, 01:40
Dear Nigel,
This is not a complete reply by any
means. You may notice that it is 1:30 in the morning and I have just returned
from work.
I never said that Swa was a
Afro-American word but an Afro-Venezuelan. The examples that you gave all
missed the point. Do you think that the boy that you called Sambo enjoyed being
called that? Why was he given that name? What does it mean?
Only the powerful can call the powerless
names like those with impunity.
The last time that I called your brother
Anthony "Fingers" I got a royal cuss off and that was harmless
compared to Sambo, Swa, and Pichón.
Sometime in 1972 some of the boys sang
Deutschland über alles and Fr. Bernard put the entire school in assembly in hot
sun for as long as it took for whoever sang it to own up for making Miss Marcus
cry.
----------------------------------------------------------------.
Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>
5 Jan 2021, 01:46
Anthony whom I have known to respond genially to the name "Fingers"
for the past 50 told me that he has always hated the name and found it
disrespectful and demeaning that anyone could call him so.
Maybe he wouldn't mind if someone else
calls him so but not me, for whatever reason.
----------------------------------------------------------------------.
After
all the discussion what did we learn?
Maybe that all of us had nicknames, some voiced aloud
and some behind our backs, and?? It did
not make us worse or better.
Remember that those that had nicknames were the active
members of the school, and some of us without nickname were the forgotten lot.
So, I protest, I wanted a nickname but none stuck.
Could be because I paid no attention when called by an
inappropriate name. It is a question of attitude and self-esteem.
-------------------------------------------------------------------.
EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com, if you would like to subscribe for
a whole year and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to
mention any old boy that you would like to include, write to me.
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Photos:
06LK0680FBABO, Anthony Boos
02LK0202NBO, Nigel Boos and family
58UN0125GRP, UNKNOWNS
64JK1111AKO, Alphonse Koenraadt
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