Use your skill to build, not destroy

THE EDITOR: Dr Anil Maharaj-Parsad, and other same minded citizens, I wish to provide you with valuable information regarding your letter dated Saturday March 1, 2003 in the Newsday page 28.

The cover picture of “Stan” (St Augustine News ) UWI, Jan-Mar 2003 issue, reflects the First Class Honours Gradients of 2002. The picture celebrates the university’s capability and potential to be an all embracing, all-inclusive, non-political, institution of higher learning. This reflects the truth that success comes because of hard work and diligence regardless of one’s accidents. In your letter you suggested that the picture was a deliberate attempt to marginalise Indians, by selecting a “fat squint eye Indian” for the cover shot while the African and mixed raced persons were of “acceptable” images, fit to be UWI students “except for the ring in the nose of the young lady.”

Anyone who has spent at least one year on the UWI campus would know that these students come in all colours, shapes, sizes, and some with different kinds of “defects”.  You should know that some defects are invisible like dyslexia and hearing problems. Some are visible like squint eye, twisted feet, and high and low hip. Some students have hearing aids, some wheelchairs and even walking sticks but as the “squint eye” picture proves these defects are in no way hindrances to learning and success and at par excellence at that. In this young and evolving society it would be wise that our “intellectuals” such as yourself, Dr Anil Maharaj-Parsad, use your learning and skill to build unity rather than to attempt to destroy the efforts of so many, especially when such destructive words as yours are based on “whole lies’ and political agendas. The victims are not just those you attack but all members of society.

Dr Anil Maharaj-Parsad, maybe this quote from Peter Minshall might be of help to you and similar “intellectuals.” “It would be nice if people would really consider their responsibility to society, at least as much as to themselves but some feet will have to be stepped upon if a cure is to be found....” Maybe after reflecting on the preceding thoughts you might find time to send a congratulation note to these young achievers, an apology to the Stan team and the people of this beautiful twin island “Sweet TT.”

MICHAEL FRANCIS GRANDISON