A Calypso masterpiece for our Kairos moment

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

This weekend, as we, Trinidad and Tobago, celebrated our 62nd anniversary of Independence, our nation stands at a critical juncture.

On August 31, 2024, the reflections on our past, the challenges of our present, and the hopes for our future converge. For our nation, this is a Kairos moment—an opportune time for us to draw inspiration from the work of national heroes, which align seamlessly with the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST).

One of those heroes is the late Dr Leroy Calliste, the Black Stalin, whose iconic Calypso ‘We Could Make It If We Try’  loudly echoes the call of CST for justice, solidarity, and honouring the dignity of every human person.

This Calypso masterpiece, written in 1988 during a time of economic hardship and social uncertainty, carries a message that resonates profoundly with the current reality of our nation. Yet it speaks more powerfully to the spirit of our people than it does to our reality.

Dr Stalin’s lyrics speak to a people facing their “darkest hour,” yet refusing to surrender, choosing instead to work harder, stay united, and believe in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.

The spirit of Trinbago and its people shines through. The themes of resilience, unity, and hope at the core of Stalin’s message are also at the heart of CST. They offer us valuable lessons as we celebrate our independence.

Today, our nation is buckling under the scourge of crime, economic inequities and various other social ills. Many of us are worried and rightly so. Yet, according to the Black Stalin, it is our “darkest hour” that draws resilience and light from us. Hence, he emphasises that when the nation faces a crisis, every citizen has a duty to stand together and assist, regardless of personal circumstances or hardships.

Dr Calliste’s sentiments express the Catholic understanding of solidarity and the common good, core principles of CST.

Solidarity is the idea that we are all responsible for one another. When we unite in times of difficulty and struggle, when as Trinbagonians we “show we patriotism”, we are expressing and living in solidarity with each other.

The idea of the common good is closely linked and teaches that the good of each person is inseparably linked to the good of the community. Friends, working for the good of each person is working for the good of our nation.

In the context of our Independence Day celebrations, these principles urge us to look beyond our individual concerns and to commit ourselves to the welfare of our entire nation.

The struggles of the poor, the marginalised, and those who are suffering the most in our country are not their struggles alone. They are our collective struggles and are challenges that we must all address together.

As Black Stalin reminds us, “our people need us today more than ever”. This legendary bard of Calypso is calling us to a remembrance of our nature as people and specifically as Trinbagonians.

The darkness and light maneuvered in his song are meant to ignite the sense of love, hope, resilience and responsibility that is fundamental to who we are as Trinis.

‘We Could Make It If We Try’ is a song about hope. A hope that is grounded in our Trini identity—we are citizens of a nation named for God—and the belief that with effort, unity, and determination, we can overcome any obstacle.

This is a hope that is deeply compatible with the Christian understanding of hope, which is not mere optimism, but a confident expectation that God is at work in the world, even in the midst of suffering and adversity.

As we celebrate our independence, let us embrace this hope, not as an excuse for complacency, but as a call to action. The challenges we face as a nation are real, but they are not insurmountable. With faith, hard work, and a commitment to justice, we can build a future that is brighter and more just for all.

“But in our fight to recover, if ever you feel to surrender,

It have one little thing that I want you always remember:

We could make it if we try

Just a little harder,

If we just give one more try,

Life will be much sweeter.”

With these words of inspiration from the late and legendary Dr Leroy Calliste, and in the spirit of hope and responsibility that they evoke, let us move forward in faith and action.

Let us remember that our independence is not just a historical event, but an ongoing journey—a journey that requires us to work together, to care for one another, and to believe that indeed, with the grace of God, we can make it if we try.

Happy Independence Day, Trinidad and Tobago!

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