Picong is Part of Our Culture

Dear Editor,

Picong or Piquant is light comical satirical banter, usually at someone else’s expense. It is the way in which West Indians tease, heckle and mock each other in a friendly manner. Apart from the average citizen, picong has been acceptably used in society by calypsonians, teachers, doctors and also politicians. Within recent times however, it appears that this practice is no longer welcome by politicians.

Recent remarks by the Attorney General in the senate has been met by what I would refer to as nothing short of an exaggeration by the  Opposition. If it is not ok for some, then it should also be frowned upon when used by others. It is now ironical that Camille Robinson Regis threw picong of her own by referring to the UNC as people who were naked and running down from a hotel when caught with a mistress. As the leader of Opposition business in the senate, the “UNC” she claimed to be referring to includes women…so what was she implying? This to me is picong of a sexual nature, which society and the Parliament are no strangers to.

Now, politicians are usually thick-skinned, as the nature of their job requires them to be able to handle various situations that would otherwise have the average citizen dishevelled. However, the recent reactions to what I would consider very common picong, leaves one to wonder… Are we witnessing a de-evolution in the acceptance of this so once embraced part of our culture?

Ann Jones

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