Forget the parties, feting, liming

THE EDITOR: Dr Keith Rowley states that Afro Trinidadian males were “underachieving in the classroom, they were overachieving in the jails.” Keith Rowley says that because of this, COSTAAT should place greater focus on the recruitment of Afro Trinidadian males. I suggest to Dr Rowley that instead of showing favouritism to one ethnic group and “sacrificing” the other groups he should instead appeal to the parents of Afro-Trinidadian males to provide a stable environment at home, to ensure that these males attend church/mosque etc, attend school, provide the necessary equipment for school. The moulding of these Afro Trinidadian males needs to come from the home and at an early age. Forget the parties, the feting and the liming. Concentrate on your children, the way the other ethnic groups do. Why are Afro malesunder-achieving? Why are they in jail? And why not the other ethnic groups in such a large proportion?

The responsibility lies with the individuals themselves and first and foremost their families, Certainly the government should owe the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago a measure of responsibility, not just the Afro Trinidadian males. Responsibility for the Afro Trinidadian males must not be at the expense of the other ethnic groups. Additionally, the mere fact that the Minister is considering this is demeaning to Afro-Trinidad males, since it is perceived by many that Rowley believes that the Afro Trinidadian males cannot measure up to the other ethnic groups. Dr Rowley, if you feel a responsibility to assist the Afro Trinidadian males by all means do so, but do so on an individual basis, not in a government policy, thereby victimising other groups. Why should everyone pay for the neglect of Afro Trinidadian males?

DIANNA MADHOO
Port-of-Spain