True villains cajole us into racial frenzy

THE EDITOR: Let’s put an end to this racial nonsense, before we end up like Guyana, with widespread social unrest triggered by racial disharmony, which took its toll on the economy and social fabric of the island; with recovery nowhere in sight. Our watered down disharmony among the races in TT is a catalyst that is healthy for the country; if we do not allow it to get out of hand. It is about both Afros and Indos coming to grips with our innermost pent up feelings, which would serve as a catharsis. People have spoken for us for too long; it is about time we speak for ourselves. However, my primary concern is where are we heading? Where are we allowing this new found consciousness to take us?

Afro-Trinidadians have a lot of catching up to do. Our Indo counterparts already have a commanding head start on us. This, they were able to accomplish with a great degree of success, through their vision and resourcefulness, while Afro-Trinidadians, for reasons unknown, remained mired in complacency and disillusionment, with our indifference focused on those of our own race rendering us void of coherence and brotherly love. During the last five years, the fragility of the social fabric of the society was exploited by a few charlatans in our midst, who divided our society by pitting Indos against their Afro counterparts which resulted in the country going into a tail spin, causing a meltdown in the “melting pot” that we had grown accustomed to. Despite our differences and minor conflicts we enjoyed a somewhat peaceful co-existence. Even though interracial marriages and romantic involvements were frowned on by both races there still remained some degree of dignity and conformity within the diversity. We are now going through a transition period. Like Eve in the Garden of Eden, we both discovered our nakedness simultaneously. As fate would have it, Afro-Trinidadians discovered for the first time that they were Africans and in like manner Indo-Trinidadians discovered that they were Indians.

We have always been different, but suddenly this new awakening has brought about a discomforting change in our relationship. Be that as it may, we are both in it together, fighting for parity and identity. This mission is what is daunting us. What bothers me is that someone like Sat Maharaj can make all kinds of disparaging remarks and gets away with it while Dr Selwyn Cudjoe is maligned and ostracised even by Afro-Trinidadians for his point-of-view. We may not agree with what Sat Maharaj or Selwyn Cudjoe may have to say with regards to the race issue, which has reached boiling point in TT, but they should be afforded the right to express their views. TT is not monolith, as such both Afros and Indos alike should be tolerant of each other with emphasis on respect for each others’ feelings. (Respect breeds respect). As a consequence we would be well on our way in keeping racism and discrimination in check. It is about time that we pull ourselves out of primitive ignorance. With freedom of speech as the benchmark of a democracy, we should endeavour to turn a “blind eye” to any remarks made by Sat Maharaj that we as Afro-Trinidadians may find offensive, in like manner remarks of Dr Selwyn Cudjoe that may offend Indo-Trinidadians should be treated in the same manner.

All in all, they are both on the same mission, which is to make their presence felt as representatives of their respective race. Notice I have not said “leaders” of their “respective race” for obvious reasons. It is primarily because of the fact that the word, like that of the function, is now in the early stage of obsolescence. We no longer have “leaders” as such; there is no longer a need for use of the word. Both Sat Maharaj and Dr Selwyn Cudjoe may be in a position to weave some marginal influence, but they have limited power. The real power remains in the hands of the masses; which we continuously relinquish to the least competent among us. This is my unsolicited advice to Sat Maharaj and Dr Selwyn Cudjoe, Sat Maharaj should think before he speaks, which will save him the trouble of having to dig himself out of the hole that he constantly gets himself into.

While my advice to Dr Selwyn Cudjoe is that he should restrain himself from being overly emotional, which would not be an easy task, but will go a long way in saving him from being carried away by his emotions. When compared to our present crop of politicians, Dr Selwyn Cudjoe and Sat Maharaj come out smelling like roses. Their high-voltage remarks no matter how they are interpreted do not pose as great a danger that we seemingly envision as that of our politicians; the true villains, who continue to cajole us into this racial frenzy, for their own personal gains and self-aggrandisement. The situation in TT is not all that crucial. It is just a learning process, from which we could emerge much more enlightened being ever mindful that we must disagree to agree; progress evolves through antagonistic cooperation.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin