Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday apologized for describing the upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival as "garbage" and said he spoke out of "ignorance". Miller said that after the members of the Carnival Commission explained the concept of carnival, his initial comments bothered him. He said he called Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday morning to "sincerely apologize".
On Wednesday, Miller said he had grave reservations about whether Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is in the best interest of The Bahamas, and said the country should not import any "garbage" to further destroy young people. His comments came several days after the Bahamas Christian Council released a statement saying carnival will encourage "promiscuity, fornication, rape, incest and other sins of the flesh".
As he addressed the Bahamas Business Outlook, which was held at the Melia Nassau Beach resort on Thursday, Christie said while he doesn't mind Miller's "intrusiveness", the PLP MP should have come to him with his concerns.
Christie, who defended the cultural festival, pointed out that Miller's daughters are heavily involved in Junkanoo Carnival.
Miller's daughter Leslia Brice is a part of Enigma, which is one of 30 companies that will produce costumes for the festival.
The prime minister also questioned whether Miller attends Junkanoo, which he said has featured carnival-themed costumes in recent years. Christie also addressed criticisms of the costumes. He said carnival provides an avenue for builders and artists to showcase their talents.
Yesterday, Miller said he did not realize his daughters' level of involvement in carnival. He said after speaking with them they also helped for his opinion and made a "believer" out of him.
Miller said he has been assured that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will not have the same format as Trinidad Carnival and that organizers plan to involve Bahamian artists. The Tall Pines MP said the prime minister also assured him during their discussion that carnival will be something all Bahamians can be proud of.
Miller said he has no problem admitting when he is wrong, noting that people have to be big enough to apologize. Miller, who has participated in past Junkanoo parades, said he plans to go out and have a good time at carnival along with everyone else. He said it is important that this event is successful.
Despite the opposition to the event in other sectors of society, including the christian council, Christie has insisted that "now is the time" to bring a festival that has the potential to bring significant economic benefits.
"We are going to move relentlessly to put in place the best cultural expressions," Christie said.
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