Mother England we need you now

Maybe it’s because it was so brutal and senseless, but then again, so is every murder. Maybe it’s because his untimely demise highlights for the 376th time the demise of our country. Maybe it’s because of the fact that this country will forget about him in a week, while his mother’s pain will last a lifetime.

Maybe it’s because Patrick Manning and Martin Joseph don’t seem to care once it’s not one of their own. Maybe it’s because I thought the blimps would have prevented this. Maybe it’s because I can’t convince myself that his death was collateral damage. Maybe it’s because I don’t believe his murder was drug related. Maybe it’s because I don’t believe his murder was gang related. Maybe it’s because I don’t believe his kidnapping was bogus.

Maybe it’s because a pair of Nike sneakers is worth more than a life. Maybe it’s because I am amazed at how stupid, ignorant and utterly self-centred these criminals were. Maybe it’s because I refuse to think of him as "No 376."

Maybe it’s because I see a little bit of myself in him, even though I never knew him. Maybe it’s because I see my own mother in his. Maybe it’s because they always seem to take the sweetest one.

Maybe it’s because I am ashamed of my country. Maybe it’s because I hate what my country has become. Maybe it’s because neither the PNM nor the UNC can solve the crime plague, and we need to return to Mother Britain and declare our dependence. Maybe Mother Britain can fix where Father Manning and Uncle Basdeo failed.

Maybe it’s because the only solution to crime in Trinidad is to just leave. Maybe it’s because I can imagine some ignorant person reading this and saying "well leave nah." And maybe it’s because I am alive because I already left.

ASHRAM BEACHOO

USA