DENYSE PLUMMER, PATRIOT

MEDIA photographers captured the ugly scenes at that 1986 Calypso Fiesta Saturday at San Fernando.

After a decade and a half of performing gentle love ballads at Maraval, Denyse Plummer had dared to venture into the native culture and made it to the semi-final of the Calypso Monarch competition.

Ms. Plummer’s songs were “Ah Feelin’ Nice” and Lenn “Boogsie” Sharpe’s “Pan Rising.”

No artiste on a local stage has faced the torrent of toilet paper, corn husks, and debris to which she was subjected.

As she sang, he collected missiles and waved them at the antagonistic members of her audience.

Television commentators called it a rite of passage but it was much more sinister; it was a dark moment for the then-25-year-old nation.

Ironically, the missile barrage took place in the year in which Trinidad and Tobago united politically under the banner of “One Love.”

Ms. Plummer stayed loyal to her craft and her country – “Nah Leaving,” she pronounced – and later won the competition, secured widespread acclaim, and became a beloved entertainment superstar.

She emerged as one of her country’s finest artistic representatives, warmly embraced around the world.

She proudly promoted the red-white-and-black, displaying gusto for her art, passion for her country, and respect for her gender.

As a lyrical patriot and courageous artiste, she was determined not to be defined by bigots who saw her as a culture vulture.

Her body of work was matched by her steely personality.

She lifted us all by using her art for a positive purpose.