Castries, St. Lucia, Feb 21:   Prime Minister Kenny Anthony paid tribute to Sir John Compton who led Saint Lucia into independence 35 years ago, Feb. 22, 1979. The speech, Celebrating Our Past,” was given at the unveiling of a statue of the late Sir. John Compton at Constitution Park on the eve of Saint Lucia’s independence.

“Think of the Taj Mahal of India, the Sphinx of Egypt, the Mona Lisa held in the Louvre Museum, Mount Rushmore and its presidential features, the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour. Statues abound in every city square around the world. They tell a tale of achievement, of courage and of honour. They proclaim the progress of nations and identifies the character of the people they represent.

In this instance, this statue which we will unveil is part of the story that is our history – that long road from discovery to self-determination; of our achievements from colony to independent statehood; of our progress from underdevelopment to a developing and diversified country; of our character from a politically tribal to a maturing democracy. This unveiling is helping define a new Saint Lucia which is at peace with its past.

THIS MONUMENT DOES NOT INDEMNIFY

Here in the heart of Castries, this place of honour we unveil today should not be conjured or confused in our minds as the summation of the man, the leader, the statesman, that was John Compton.

No! All of Saint Lucia knows better. He was and will always be more than a park and a monument.

Saint Lucians are also cognisant that this monument does not indemnify or repay the untiring, unyielding will that this soul from Canouan carved into the landscape of Saint Lucia and in the psyche of its people.

HIS HISTORY CANNOT BE DIMINISHED

This monument will remind all Saint Lucians of the life and stories which can be told of John Compton. It will allow the story to be retold more often to those who did not know him, who were not of his era.

Some of these stories are facts of history. Some of these stories might well be myth or legend, some more skewed and tinted red, yellow or blue, dependent on the bard. Either way, his history cannot be diminished or denied.

UNEQUIVOCAL VOCATION

Sixty years ago this year, a young John George Melvin Compton was immersed into what would be his baptism of Saint Lucian politics, into what would become a life-long, unequivocal vocation. A decade on from then, in 1964, and following his sojourn and irreconcilable differences with the Saint Lucia Labour Party of the day headed by Sir George F.L. Charles, he branched out boldly to form the National Labour Movement (NLM) which merged with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to form the United Workers Party; an entity through which he championed his vision for Saint Lucia. As such, this year is perhaps a fitting one within which to unveil this lifelike epitaph of bronze.

John Compton was the ‘Father of Independence’. He completed a process of self-determination that stretched from the resistance of the Amerindians against the arrival of Europeans, the rebellions of the slaves against slavery and the rejection by George Charles against colonial disenfranchisement. George Charles fought for our right to vote and have our own political leadership effectively ending direct white rule. John Compton completed the circle of decolonisation by leading us to achieve the right to decide our own destiny.

But more than carrying us over the line of self-determination where we could proudly state we are now independent, able to stand and join other nations as an equal, John Compton gave his life pursuing a vision for the development of Saint Lucia. His achievements in leading Saint Lucia from a colonial backwater to a developing state, speak of a man who was resolute, committed, and relentless in his efforts. It took a lot of character, dedication and visioning to tackle the colonial ills of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, disease and backwardness.

This park should be rightfully seen as a place of respect and honour for a man who gave so much of his life in the service of Saint Lucia.

NEITHER BEATIFICATION NOR SANTIFICATION

Citizens of Saint Lucia, at the cusp of our anniversary of Independence, we have come together as a nation to publicly honour the life of service of John Compton. This ceremony is neither beatification nor sanctification, for we are mindful enough of the tribulations that is the theatre of politics and the troubles, tragedy and toils of its actors.

Yet, our politics, this clashing of contending sides within our country must be noble enough, courageous enough – and courteous to a fault – so that we might embrace such moments of undeniable unity.

DIFFERENCES SHOULD NOT DENY GOODNESS

In truth, I trust that we should know that there lies no shame or hypocrisy in the leader of one political party paying homage to the honour of another leader, even as they might once have been political adversaries. At the end of things, if such homage is due, then it should never be denied. All politicians have faults, but such blemishes should not deny the goodness of character and strength of heart of each.

If we cannot emulate this, then what sense is there when we meet only a few yards from this place in Parliament, to speak to the honourable business of the people?

ALWAYS CELEBRATE OUR HEROES

Today, I ask you not to perceive yourself as a member of the Saint Lucia Labour Party; nor as a member of the United Workers’ Party, or of any political group for that matter. Rather, we are here this evening to declare we are simply Saint Lucians, gathered to celebrate one of our heroes.

Indeed, this applies not only for today. Rather, on all days, we should think first of country and its wellbeing before political hue.

This monument, thus, is to remind us not just of the man, Sir John. Instead, it is a reflection of ourselves, a mirror of our heritage and achievements. This monument is not for Sir John Compton, nor even is it for his family. It is primarily for the people of Saint Lucia, for those who might not have known his form and feats of fame.

It is to remind us all of our past, of our struggles, of our stern and starved nights of pain, and then of our triumphs, to trace our dawns of brighter, more peaceful, more beautiful morns.

A TOOL OF LEARNING

It is this past which Sir John has so undeniably shaped and caused to alter from the dark days of colony to our maturing years of statehood and independence. We owe it to our youth as a tool of learning and instruction.

Thus, this monument serves to the child, to the school group, to the passer-by, to the many who find Constitution Park their place of rational thought, of worship or preaching or of diatribe, as an aide memoire of all these indelible moments and institutions that we must cherish.

I speak of independence. I speak of our right to govern and determine for ourselves, as best we can. I speak of our cherished values enshrined in our Constitution, for which we must hold onto dearly.

Sir John cherished these for he undoubtedly fought for their realisation.

On this year of our thirty-fifth anniversary of Independence, we cannot stretch out to glad, new, brighter days if we are not at peace with our past, if we cannot celebrate our past. Nor should we parry to the past our ignominious and wanting faults without accepting them. We will find it difficult to champion a new world for ourselves if we disregard and depreciate our heroes.

AN ALLOY OF METAL

This alloy of metal, this statue – while exquisitely and superbly formed and cast as it may be – does not capture the memories that Sir John Compton has himself sculpted in the minds of many; particularly the people of Micoud, who knew him lovingly as Daddy Compton.

Some may well argue that he would perhaps not have approved such a form of remembrance, for he was a man of frugality and practicality. And it is true, indeed, that he believed in memorials that did things for people: a dam that provided people with potable water, a highway that linked the city with the suburbs, and so on. I think no one would debate such economy of resources, and these things have been named in his honour.

ANOTHER PRICE TO BE PAID

Yet, there is value even in this small gesture, and I am sure he would have been proud of it because he might interpret it as an elevation of the Saint Lucian patrimony. Or, perhaps grudgingly, he might accept it as just another price to be paid by the politician in the vocation of service in politics.

FOOTSTEPS AMIDST THE FIELDS

Whatever may have been his true feelings, there is value in having a place of physical memorial that people might gather and pay homage to his memory and achievement. His favourite places, no doubt will be cherished by his family and close friends: his home at Moulin-a-Vent, walking his footsteps amidst the fields at Mahaut, and so on. Indeed, there are few places in Saint Lucia where his feet had not walked, where his hands did not do work.

And even while this is the case, this landmark brings to focus our memory of this courageous man. He did walk through here without fear, interacting with people whether in moments of calm or of political turmoil and upheaval .

And so, this statue completes Constitution Park, with the bearer of the constitution document in his hand. Perhaps he might suggest we plant a banana tree nearby as a memory of him, but I am sure Lady Janice would agree only if it maintains the aesthetic and character of this green space. And while he might have preferred us to remember him by his simplicity and humanity- his green F.A.R., his voice always filled with prose, his kindness and humour, we are duty bound for our own posterity to remember him for his national legacy.

LET HIS MEMORY FIND RESONANCE

And so tonight, at this temporal confluence filled with anniversaries, in this spatial intersect of Parliament and the Courts, the Castries City Hall and William Peter Boulevard where he worked professionally and politically, we find a place to let his memory find resonance in the minds of the Saint Lucian people. Let our nation find balance in his midst. Let our nation find peace about this place.

To Lady Janice and your children, Sean, Jeanine, Maya, Nina, Fiona, Saint Lucia says thank you for allowing us to share with you and to shine in Sir John’s legacy.

I thank you”

Port-of-Spain, Feb 19:  The highest award Trinidad & Tobago can bestow on its citizens,  Order of Trinidad & Tobago, will be bestowed on Grenada-born Dr. Slinger Francisco known worldwide as The Mighty Sparrow. Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar made the announcement at a carnival school event attended by The Mighty Sparrow who recently returned to Trinidad & Tobago after a long hospitalization and rehabilitation stay in New York.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar proclaimed that Sparrow’s very high medical expenses will be paid by the Government of Trinidad & Tobago.

The Prime Minister stated that she was happy to make the announcements in the presence of The Mighty Sparrow. Addressing Sparrow at the event she said with the approval of Cabinet “ I recommend to His Excellency, President Anthony Carmona, to confer on you, Dr Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, the prestigious Order of Trinidad and Tobago, the highest national recognition and honour which can be awarded to any citizen.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar continued  “like so many citizens from all walks of life, I have long admired and enjoyed the impressive work of the Mighty Sparrow whose unparalleled contribution to our music and our culture has been hailed all over the world.”

“The Prime Minister told him “Your work , Sir, has been studied, analyzed, dissected and interpreted by scholars, academics, musicologists, but above all by the multitude of ordinary people not only here in our twin island, and all over the Caribbean, but in so many other parts of the world. Indeed you have justly earned the title — the Calypso King of The World.”

As the crowd and children applauded the PM said “It is a fitting tribute to the contribution you have made to Trinidad and Tobago, and to the World …  I am sure the national community will agree this is a richly deserved honour. I am also very pleased to announce that the Cabinet has further agreed to cover all the medical expenses incurred by your recent illness, from which by the Grace of God, you successfully recovered …  you have entertained our senses and challenged our sensibilities. Your words have inspired, reflected, caused serious introspection and at times have just provided sheer musical and lyrical delight.”

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar also saluted Guyanese-born but Trinidad raised Peter Minshall. The renowned carnival costume designer who also designed the opening and closing scenes of the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games was given the deed to a State owned property that Minshall occupied for decades.

 

 

 

Port-of-Spain, Feb. 17: The Trinidad & Tobago Unified Calypso Association released the names of the 40 calypsonians, selected from various calypso tents across Trinidad & Tobago, who will compete in the National Semifinals on Saturday. At Skinner Park, San Fernando on February 22, the judges will choose 11 for the National Calypso Monarch title. They will try to dethrone the 2013 monarch Pink Panther. Many veterans are in the group of 40 including Chalkdust and Singing Sandra.

Sandra is already booked to appear at the EVERYBODY’S Mother’s Day Saturday Concert on May 10 in Brooklyn, NY.

Other veterans include Singing Francine, Brother Valentino and Allrounder.

Several young but experienced artists are in Saturday’s mix. Heather Mac Intosh who gave a sterling performance at last year’s Mother Day Saturday Concert is in; others include Brian London, Leslie Ann Ellis, St. Vincent-born Fya Empress, Body Guard and Georgia McIntyre.

The 40 are:

Alana Sinnette, Tobago Chalkie, Brother Mudada, Allan Welch,
Amrica Mutroo, Brother Valentino, All Rounder,
Bevon St Clair, Brian London, Skatie, Devon Seales,
Erphan ALves, Singing Francine, The Messenger, Giselle Washington,
Heather McIntosh, Snakey, Chalkdust, Karen Thomas, Karene Asche
Ke Ke, Kurt Allen, Leslie Ann Ellis, Fya Empress, Marlon Edwards,
King Luta, Myron B, Bunny B, Nicole Thomas, Chucky,
Body Guard, Rondell Donawa, Young Rose, Singing Sandra,
Psalmist, Mista Shak, Queen Victoria, Cro Cro
Stephen Marcelle, SPicey
RESERVES
Lady Gypsy and Protector

New York, Feb. 17:  Clyde Jones, an EVERYBODY’S Magazine photographer, has released the 2nd edition of his picturesque book, The Man and His Camera. The book was launched  a few weeks ago in Mr. Jones beloved nation, Barbados, and in New York last Friday.

Not even frigid New York where frequent snowfalls turned into solid ice stopped Mr. Jones colleagues from attending the launch at the Barbados Consulate. Introducing Clyde Jones was his longtime friend Ambassador Joseph Goddard.

The Man and His Camera is a collection of photographs that Jones took for over forty years. Forty years is a longtime. It makes The Man and His Camera a history book that presents a sweet slice of the history of the Caribbean in photos during the last four decades .

The book has 184 pages with nearly 400 memorable pictures.

As Mr. Jones remarked at the New York launch, “I have visited many places from Rome to  South Korea but regardless to how beautiful they are, I always look forward to get back to my home, Barbados.” It is not surprising, therefore, that The Man and His Camera captures the history of Barbados and Barbadians residing in the Caribbean diaspora.

November 30, 1966, was one of the most important days in Barbados history; the colony achieved independence after hundreds of years as a British possession. Clyde Jones shares a photo of Errol Barrow in formal attire on the nation’s first Independence Day clutching what seems to be a package of the constitution. The first Prime Minister, Errol Barrow, may have been leaving the new Parliament with the sacred documents.

The photos of prime ministers reveal Barbados only had seven since independence. Of the seven prime ministers, three died in office of natural cause.

Jones also includes the prime ministers wives.

On the Barbadian-American side, Jones presents the heads of many Barbadian-American organizations since independence and portraits of consuls general who served in New York.

Jones shares his collection of the visit of President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan in 1982 and also the visit of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Jones could not be a true Barbadian if he did not capture the achievements of Barbadian cricketers who excelled for West Indies Test teams and the contribution of fans in Barbados and New York. There’s a picture of the legend Sir Garfield Sobers and his Australian wife.

The award winning photojournalists who also won a regional award from the Caribbean Tourism Organization for a collection of tourism oriented photos in EVERYBODY’S magazine leaves “no stone unturned.” Barbadian artists from the  Merrymen of yesteryear to today’s Red Plastic Bag are included.

Needless to say visits of Queen Elizabeth II and a Concorde Plane permanently on display at Sir Grantley Adams International Airport are in the book.

True, The Man and His Camera mainly focuses on Barbados life and times but it is a book that any progressive Caribbean person would want to acquire for his or her collection.

The Man and His Camera by Clyde Jones is available in Barbados at Cave Sheppard.

In New York from CJ Media Communications, 1206 Bergen St.,  Suite 3G-C, Brooklyn, NY 11213.  Price $30

By Mail Order in the U.S., from EVERYBODY’S Magazine, www.everybodysmag.com. ($30 + $10 for S/H)

 

 

 

Cro Cro, a three-time National Calypso Monarch and a hardcore member of the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), frequently said he would not open his tent this year due to financial difficulties and the government decision not to give financial assistance.

Someone came to Cro Cro’s (Winston Rawlins) rescue and the People’s Tent was opened at the Ambassador Hotel, St. James. At the Tent’s opening Cro Cro invited Denisha and hubbie Dr. Devon Gardner on stage to announce that it was the Jamaican couple who were mainly responsible for saving his Tent because they led the campaign to raise the funds. The Jamaican couple got standing rounds of applause.

For non-calypso fans, a calypso tent is not really a tent.  They are nightly mini-concerts  staged in buildings, not in tents, during the carnival-calypso season.

About 150 years ago, during the carnival-calypso season, the calypsonians sang under real tents made from leaves, bamboo and old clothing to prevent them from getting wet. The name stuck. Modern calypso tents are in air conditioned buildings.

Historically relations between calypsonians and governments have been tense. Colonial governors took the liberty of banning tunes if the colonial government was criticized.

In the post colonial era, governments are not as repressive towards calypsonians. Governments finance calypso tents even though some calypsonians performing in the tent may be against the government and compose songs ridiculing the government and its leaders. The 2013 National Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago Pink Panther is active within the PNM and ran for public office as a PNM.

Continue reading →

Bunny Rugs whose real name was William Clarke, a popular member of the famed Third World reggae group, died at his home in Florida after a long fight with Leukemia. He was 65.

Bunny Rugs as he was known worldwide was a pivotal member of Third World when the group became famous with their 1978 hit, “Now that We Found Love.”

“He had a charisma and stage presence that were spellbinding, with a vibrant smile,” remarked Lisa Hanna Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture.

“Bunny Rugs will always be remembered as one of the truly talented and devoted pioneers of Jamaican reggae music, and as one of the finest voices to have grace the Jamaican music landscape,” said Olivia Grange former Jamaican Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Grange, a promoter of reggae music when she resided in Canada in the late 1970s, once sent a package of Third World bios and records to EVERYBODY’S Magazine. The young lady who brought the package direct to EVERYBODY’S and it was her first trip to NY was Carleen Davis who Grange was nurturing.

Rugs recorded more than 20 albums with Third World beginning with the mega hit of 1976, “Ninety-Six Degree In The Shade.”
At the peak of Third World in the late 1970s and through the 1980s, the group graced the cover of EVERYBODY’S on several occasions.

On the 20th anniversary of EVERYBODY’S Magazine in 1997, Third World performed at the magazine’s gala at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City. When the group was invited to perform both Bunny Rugs and Steven “Cat” Coore, another member of the group, said they were honored to be part of the celebration since they appreciated all the features and interviews the magazine did with them over the years.

William Clarke “Buny Rugs” is survived by his wife and children.

 

 BROOKLYN, NY, January 31, 2014: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams commemorated the unveiling of the new United States Postal Service’s Forever stamp in honor of Shirley Chisholm, the trailblazing Brooklynite who was the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968 and the first woman to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972.

She was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant to immigrant parents and earned her B.A. from Brooklyn College. Her stamp, featuring a painting by artist Robert Shetterly, is the 37th in the Postal Services’ Black Heritage series.

“We’re here to dignify a great woman by showing a display on a stamp…but the question mark that lingers over our lives, will she put a stamp on who and what we are?” said Borough President Adams. “Would her stamp of approval reflect that we’re moving in a direction that she started so many years ago? Shirley would have said, ‘what are we doing for everyday people who are hurting and hurt people?’ We have to not leave the question mark of ‘will she place a stamp of approval on us?” We have to straighten that question mark into an exclamation point…by what we do and not by what we say; by ensuring that our legacy will be as great as Congresswoman Chisholm’s legacy continues to be. ”

A confidante  of Chisholm, retired dentist, Dr. Lamuel Stanislaus now in his ’90s said, “The honor to Chisholm is well merited.  She was a brilliant educator and politician. She was one of my best friends ever since I got to know her many, many years ago.”

EVERYBODY’S Magazine Publisher Herman Hall is thrilled to say: “As a young immigrant, I met the Congresswoman in 1972 and we remained in contact until a year before she went to the other world. She was extremely proud of her Caribbean heritage and always proud to say she was the child of Barbadian and Guyanese immigrants. The Congresswoman was very helpful to me during the early years of EVERYBODY’S Magazine. Like those who knew her, I am happy that her contributions to this nation is recognized through the issuance of a U.S. postage stamp.”

Brooklyn, NY, January 18, 2014
Reported by H. Hall

What an evening!

Fans of the Mighty Sparrow and other diehard calypso lovers packed Melanie’s Sports Bar at Fulton Street to welcome the Mighty Sparrow. It was Sparrow’s first public appearance since his illness and worldwide rumors that he had died.

So believable were rumors of his passing last September that even the New York Times, Daily News, and media in Canada and England called EVERYBODY’S Magazine to confirm the sad news. The magazine continuously told them it was not true and asked them to urge fans to pray for the Mighty Sparrow.

At that time, the man named Slinger Francisco at birth in Gran Roi (Grand Roy), Grenada, remained in a diabetic coma in a Queens hospital in New York City.

Weeks later Sparrow gradually came out of the coma, discharged from the hospital and sent to a therapy center where he is still recuperating.

The therapy center reluctantly granted him three hours to meet fans in Brooklyn at a benefit for him organized by Derek Parsons of WACK Radio and Calypso Rose.

Although old winter raised its ugly head after a few days of reprieve even the freezing temperature and high winds couldn’t prevent Sparrow from meeting fans and admirers from welcoming him. Melanie’s was packed with people like a subway train in the peak of rush hour.

Calypso Rose opened the show with kind remarks and belted out a few crowd favorites. Rose loves her idol, Sparrow, so much that she remained in NY for the event rather than going to Tobago for her brother’s funeral.

Sparrow did exactly what he told me he would do in a phone conversation last week. He started by singing the Lord’s Prayer but burst out into tears  in reaction to the outpouring of love and affections from a cross section of the Caribbean-American community which included radio personalities, musicians and promoters such as Ian D’Goose Elegan, Charlie of Charlie’s Records, Sunshine Diaz, Frankie McIntosh and DJ Maddy. “The Mighty Sparrow’s appearance reflected the courage and determination of the Calypso King of the World,” said Gil Figaro, Founder and Producer of the Sunshine Awards. Indeed, tears of joy flowed from many while Sparrow was singing. Since Sparrow has been on the recovery road he has been accepting calls from many leaders including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda.

“I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I want fans to come to see me sing and entertain,” Sparrow told EVERYBODY’S Magazine a few days before.

And, what a stirring interpretation of “The Lord’s Prayer,” for an unforgettable evening. Throughout his 40-minute performance his voice and delivery did not give a hint that a few months ago Sparrow was motionless in a coma.

When Sparrow delivered, “Man Will Survive,” he gave hope and optimism to everyone in the audience suggesting that he is not going anywhere soon, as he expects to continue singing with God’s guidance.

Sitting on a tall stool, Sparrow rendered a fraction of his classics. When he sang “Jean and Dinah” he took me back to Clozier-Belvidere of 1956, when, as a nine year-older, I watched the glow of the grownups as they proudly said, “Mr. Sandy Francisco who rides his donkey to Clozier everyday is the grandfather of the man singing on the radio.”

When Sparrow delivered “Melda,” he had me reminiscing about friends on Carnival Saturday night of 1965 or 1966 as we listened to carnival events happening in Trinidad in Lincoln Smith’s house in the mountains of Grenada. The late Lincoln Smith, an ardent Sparrow fan, was the one who lifted Prime Minister Maurice Bishop from house arrest in 1983.

“Congo Man,” “Drunk and Disorderly” and “Lying Excuses” followed but the fans though wanting more, were sensitive to Sparrow’s health, did not request “more Sparrow, more” as it was time for him to get back to the therapy center.

In spite of still recovering from pneumonia, I had to be at Melanie’s to welcome Sparrow but I left there believing that Dr. Slinger Francisco went to Melanie’s to help me. He was the doctor, I was the patient. He lifted my spirits after weeks of health issues, business challenges and frustration that I could not do my annual swim on New Year’s Day at Coney Island with the Polar Bear Club.

Sparrow is almost back and those who proclaim to love Sparrow must never offer him a beer or other alcoholic beverages. They are now taboo for Sparrow and he joked about not having them anymore.

It was 9:50pm when Sparrow ended his renditions and he was scheduled to leave promptly at 10pm for his therapy residence and the limo was waiting. The great one remained greeting fans and posing for photos. It was 10:40pm when he entered the limo. As I told one of his daughters, Michelle who is a lawyer, Secret Service is tough on the President of the US; a prime minister has to obey the prime minister’s security personnel for the prime minister’s safety. The family and inner circle of Sparrow will have to be tough on him to safeguard his health.

Sparrow expects to be discharged from the therapy center soon and he is looking forward to perform in Trinidad & Tobago in March during carnival, including a stellar event at the National Academy for the Performing Arts and resuming entertaining fans worldwide.

In May, Sparrow, the man around whom the annual Mother’s Day Caribbean concert in New York City was developed, is looking forward to performing at EVERYBODY’S Mother Day Saturday Concert with Shadow, Sandra, King Short Shirt, Calypso Rose, Braata Jamaican Folk Singers and others. What an evening that would be. We expect the anticipated 2, 500 persons at the concert will welcome Sparrow with a standing ovation that will echo across the calypso world.

  PHOTOS: Sparrow at Melanie’s photos by DJ Madman Maddy