We in The Bahamas do not honour our artists enough - whether painters or musicians, writers, actors, you name it. Despite the fact that it is the art of a society that outlives even sometimes its people (I wish we could ask the Mayans or even the early Egyptians), in The Bahamas if one chooses not to abide by the convention of becoming a lawyer, doctor, accountant or some other service oriented status quo professional, one is deemed almost a waste of time. Yet it is the Bahamian Calvin Lockhart or "Baha-American" Sidney Poitier who are among the best recognized by the world, out of all Bahamian citizenry.When I met Mr. Lockhart it was certainly an honour for me because there sat a man who had represented his, our Country well on television and the big screen. Sadly however, he had not done as well as Sir Sidney, and was forced in his latter years to live outside of stardom, especially in his home Country. But as we sat in the 'Chicken Nest' in the settlement of West End, Grand Bahama, eating conch salad and drinking a cold one, there also sat a man whom outside of stardom had not lost his love for naturally entertaining others, and had not in the least grown bitter or discontent. And for me therefore, Calvin Lockhart, just the man, will forever remain in life and death, the original, "Mr. BIGs." May his soul rest in peace.
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