Minister for Youth Development and Sports, Kenson Casimir, is retracting a statement he made while introducing Julien Alfred at the mural unveiling in her honour on September 26 at Ciceron Primary School.
Casimir’s use of the Kweyol phrase “Met B***h yo tout!” to describe Alfred’s prowess did not go down well with some members of the public, who argued that such language should not be condoned, particularly in the presence of children.
At Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing, the Minister acknowledged his mistake in using coarse language and apologised.
“I want to issue a formal apology for my pronouncement in my introduction to Julien Alfred at the Ciceron Primary School,” Casimir said.
“I think we all have had brief moments of lapses and in my three years in politics, I think this was the first. As a human being, I do not expect that it will be my last. [It was] a moment of just levity and fun and just the excitement of a long week of Julien Alfred celebrations and I really chose the wrong time and place to say what I said. I really want to apologise to everybody, every single Saint Lucian, and anybody that was offended by what I said.”
Despite this error in judgment, Casimir emphasised that his mistake should not detract from the significance and beauty of last week’s proceedings.
“I don’t think that should drown out what the day meant for Julien Alfred and Saint Lucia and what the week meant for everybody. As I said, human beings make mistakes. I think you have to own your mistakes as a human being and I have no problem doing that,” the Minister noted.
PHOTO: Stock image.
Seriously?! “Met bodah yo tout!”? That’s what we waist our energies raising and issue over?! This just goes to show the degree of ignorance of our people especially when it comes to the unfortunate negative attached to our beautiful Creole language. “Met bodah yo tout!”.. a worthy and relevant statement said in our language and we shame our minister, yet you very hypocrites would yell at a child saying, “Shut the hell up when I’m talking… I own your behind!” And that would be ok, because it’s said in English?! All of a sudden, this isn’t language that shouldn’t be condoned in use when speaking to or amongst children, correct? 🤦🏽♂️
Well please excuse me, but in the words of Ninja Dan, Kwèyól sé lung mama’w! So, Juju sé met bodah yo! With you’ll foolishness!
It only shows the level of ignorance and stupidity that floats in the minds of our elected persons in St Lucia today.
And ,this is nothing but maturity .well done mister minister . St.lucia is a bi-lingual society and most bi-lingual ppl unconsciously switch to they native/primary language in an emotionally charged state . When you can own your mistake no matter in which capacity you serve . People who “cannot be wrong ” are not fit for public office and also one should avoid including into one private circle or life . It is one of the most dysfunctional trait of a human being.
Glad that he saw the error of his language at that forum with many children who are impressionable. We need to change the direction of this country which is fast becoming a ghetto society. Good job Mr Casimir.
you were man enough to apologize that’s something most of them are to arrogant to do. I hope they all monitoring their own language and their children also . not that I am saying what you said was appropriate but it’s all hypocrisy. ofcourse their they will make an issue out of it
Will somebody lease be smart enough to give an accurate translation in English of the phrase “Met bodah yo tout!”, which the minister used in introducing Julien Alfred! Many online readers are not Kweyol speakers! Yet for close to a week this is being discussed and no one sees it fit to explain to the non-Kweyol community what he really said!!! Where is our journalistic commonsense or thoughtfulness!?
While there is nothing particularly wrong in the use of that phrase by the minister, there were many other ways he could have chosen given the context and formal nature of the occasion. It would not be deemed the best way, by students, for example, at an assembly, to introduce someone else. It is good that the minister realized this.
Meanwhile across the street from my house a rum shop is blasting loud vulgar obscene music day in day out corrupting my young child’s mind and upsetting the entire neighbourhood. We have called the police so many times to intervene yet they never show up.
The Kweyol phrase means the “master/best of all” or in control. Basically if someone holds you by your pants you cant do anything about it. I guess he was referring to Julien since she beat them all.
Either way, someone at this level should not be using this kind of language in public, it could have been said in a different and less vulgar way.
Very soon the defender of all things ghetto will come to the defense of the minister.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil? JEREMIAH 13: 23.
When one be he a politician or not, accustomed to talk crap, that one is bound at some time to say things not only to embarrass himself but the ones he or she represents.
Apologies what consists of the words; “I am sorry” I apologize is not the same as actually apologizing.
Casimie apologise for what?….this is a shed of hypocrisy, these are the same one’s that’s ashame to embrace our creole language and patowah(patois )even a biggest embarrassment that this is actually our creole month…..Met bodah simply means your toughest challenge.
We as a true and patriotic citizens that also respect and appreciate our creole use the term on each other for any challenge you encounter that you can’t seem to by pass or beat or even get over it,we’d say sa sey MET BODOU…..stop being prejudice of our folk parents language that they proudly instilled unto us…..there is no other creole like Lucian creole if you know what I mean,for instance the word SHALLOP is our national creole word and you’d hear it utter at any event if there’s a spontaneous mishap or so,and it will be uttered by every crevice and premise,rich or poor,young or old,stature no stature….when I tell you our creole is unique it’s unique,if you go to Matinique,Dominica,Guadeloupe,or Haiti you can never hear them collectively in the entire national stadium or events uttering the word shallop….i dare someone to prove me wrong on this one.
Oh well there there there….Really now ?? Children might hear ?? Jokers….. go in town central in Castries around 3 o’clock and I guarantee you hear worst from “the children “ go see for yourself.
Further more MR.Casimir this was well coarse because this was all about Julian Alfred and that little rock in the ocean she came from,can we also imagine this was the only moment in the entire function that creole was uttered and if international audience was catching a glimpse they actually acknowledge that JUJU Julian Alfred country speaks a bilingual language….this may seem embarrassment to some right now but in the future endevours ppl will embrace and be proud of it cause MR.Casimir said it he was heartically and had no I’ll intent….And for the international world MET BODAH in a st.Lucian term simply means A CHALLENGE YOU CANNOT DEFEAT.
Ppl have their mind in gutters with their gutter argument
Much ado about nothing.
Just imagine, after beating my secondary school teacher 6-0 ina series of chess games and in the presence of my fellow students I tell him “Mwen ki met bodah”. Would that be offensive or disrespectful?
Much respect to Mr.Casimir for owning up to his gaffe. I listened to his apology and I have a new found admiration for him. I hope other politicians take note.
My only issue with this situation is the hypocrisy of the SLP month pieces. Their defence is that it’s Kweyol so we should accept it. Kweyol or not, certain words/phrases carry a level of vulgarity and shouldn’t be used at official events. Save that talk for the cabarway.
Further, I remember a few weeks ago UWP’s Nancy Charles use a similar term ” nom mamao”. The SLP hacks were all over asking for an apology, just wondering if the same people demanded an apology from Casimir.
Excuse me? Apologize for what. the remarks was fitting for the occasion. it was a moment of fun, excitement and celebration.
The gentleman apologized – I have not listened to the apology and that’s ok. However, moving forward folk need to be extremely careful of their words as well as actions. Especially in this current age of technology when the whole world is watching, listening and recording 24/7. Godspeed.
Wooyyy, the hypocrisy of our subtle culture.
I see no reason why that phrase could not or should not be used. I see no reason. Formal, informal, dignitaries or upscale wannabe. The phrase was used to demonstrate the level of class we St.Lucians can contribute to all over the world. I mean we are on the map, We beat u.s.a, China, England all dem power hungry nations and you mean to tell me. I cannot use “maitre boudah” ayyyy.
That should be a phrase for all bragging rights.
We too bias with our own language.
” I’m sorry, not sorry”. that what he should say.
“GO LEARN PATOIS FOR YOURSELF AND STOP INSULTING PEOPLE ASKING FOR AN APOLOGY BECAUSE “YOU FEELING OR FELT UNCOMFORTABLE.”.
Lucian chupps. Boy bye. Hypocrite….
The statement was unprofessional and unbecoming of a minister in a public forum – he apologized and that’s ok.
When you decide to run for public office you need to carry yourself in a very professional manner. There were children present at the school and in addition the entire world was watching and that further makes the statement very inappropriate in my opinion. In addition, Ms. Alfred has just began her olympic journey and that statement was tasteless on every level.
I apologize but then I defend it with a reason …..and in the presents of kids and then it goes further “I don’t expect it to be my last” not, I am hoping that it will be my last or I will strive for such mistake not to repeat itself. wow. People make mistakes but it is the way that it is handled that concerns me.
I am very happy mr. minister apologize for his comment on this day it was not appropriate in this forum, so I am pleased he did and need not to go that route again.
So what’s about the soooo many hiss salops during cricket.
No one was complaining about the language. The issue was the phrase. I was there, and when I heard him, I said, “what?” That is tasteless and unnecessary! He publicly apologized, and that’s fine. There is a time and a place for everything. StLucia seems to be slipping into an abyss and setting themselves up for failure. The “bumbum” wall should be in the confines of individuals’ bedrooms.
Makes me wonder what we’re planning to do about the popular “hee-salop” 😃
The minister’s choice of expression during the ceremony was inappropriate, given the high standards expected at such an event. While the phrase is colloquial and relatable within the context of the St. Lucian Creole language, it was in poor taste for this particular setting. Dignitaries should exercise discretion in their language and refrain from making indecent remarks, especially at formal ceremonies. Furthermore, the argument that the comment was acceptable because the minister is bilingual is not a valid justification. Context, time, and place are critical factors in determining the appropriateness of language, and in this instance, the minister’s choice was not fitting for the occasion.
You know what most of us are just educated fools….y’all will hold back y’all own and prevent them from foward..meanwhile their same kids has easy access to internet where they can adapt and embrace foreign cultures and who knows what else they encounter,I can just imagine.no one is complaining they happily endulging…deux ban hypocrite.
Anonymous October 2, 2024 At 5:54 pm
“So what’s about the soooo many hiss salops during cricket”
The difference is no one at a cricket match is standing at a podium addressing the citizens of St. Lucia and the entire world. The fans at a cricket match supporting their respective team by expressing themselves is a totally different environment/scenario.…
Mr. Casimir behaved with aplomb and dignity in his response to the concerns of the public. Thank you Mister Minister. Previous ministers were indeed stiff-necked and unapologetic when confronted with far worse emotional remarks.
Regarding the actual comment, we all should measure our comments based upon our Creole Language. When other countries classify an athlete as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of Them All) is that not EXACTLY what Mr. Casimir said in our Creole Language? I shall not call the objectors to Casimir’s remark as hypocrites, but would rather ask them to please stop denigrating our Creole and measuring it against “polite English”
I would like to emphasize the importance of St. Lucians placing greater focus on speaking and writing proper English, particularly in public forums, rather than engaging in lengthy arguments about embracing Creole. While Creole is an integral part of our culture, there is a clear distinction between celebrating it and using derogatory phrases in official settings. Public officials are held to a standard of dignity and decorum. To label those who disagreed with an inappropriate comment by an official as ‘hypocrites’ is not only unfair but also undermines the professionalism expected in such contexts. Instead, we should commend the minister for his humility in issuing an apology, rather than criticizing those who expressed that the comment was out of place. Our tendency to normalize poor taste in discourse is disappointing and reflects poorly on our values.
Reading through these comments highlights how deficient we are in our command of the English language. The frequent misuse of homophones, along with numerous spelling and grammatical errors, should be of far greater concern to us than the pride we take in Creole, particularly in the use of its derogatory terms, irrespective of the setting.
Oh how our standards have fallen – what a tragic decline.
Well, Journee Kweyol is now in September.
I love the phrase, but not for that occasion.
All have come short in our excitement, apology accepted.
but come Kweyol October …
A…A … we in October, lol
I grew up on Jeremie St. in one of the two Buildings demolished due to Structural damage; I heard worse, but never used such; I was a Card carrying member of the 1st Labour Party under George Charles, a very decent and humble gentleman; on the ‘Market Steps’ where people of all shades, creed or Position gathered to listen to members of the Party – never was there such a similar phrase – but Jeremie St. was and still is. I cannot picture myself waking up in the morning, kneeling down, pray to my Lord and at anytime use an expression out of the same mouth that I’ve Prayed to my Heavenly Lord. Look at what’s happening in the World today, Its the ‘End times’ – at a time such as this, it is time to clean up our act; what comes out of your mouth is YOU; don’t blame it on PAtois.
AHHHH! Why are we looking for controversies where there is none? If it were me, I would not apologize for that. Absolutely NOT! Then again, I am not a minister.
Well said @Unwavering. We often forget the sociolinguistic aspect of communication that deals with appropriacy of language use; context is important– Who is your audience? What is the situation?
Disappointed in Kenson for apologizing for this! He did not need to apologize for this. This only allows pretentious idiots in St.Lucia to continue to hold our nation back by demonizing our creole language by attributing negativity and shame to it. Our creole is not meant to be hidden away and dusted off in October along with your ill fitting creole and “African Wear” while the few creole words you are able to utter make you sound like your mouths are filled with hot potatoes. Met bondah zot!