A house divided

THE EDITOR: I take this opportunity to highlight to the national community the blatant practice of segregation and division taking place in this independent Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. While it is universally recognised that the celebration of Christmas is a season to bring cheer and goodwill to all mankind regardless of race, colour or socio-economic stature, it is painfully sad to report that segregation is now being institutionalised at the newly restructured Housing Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago. The new corporation held its annual Christmas Dinner at Pier One on Wednesday December 14 2005. It was extremely distasteful and despicable that certain lower levels of staff were debarred from attending the function. The lower level staff members were allocated a paltry $75 per staff member to organise their Christmas party separately.

These blue colour workers and even some middle managers who do not find favour with the newly installed elitists management team of the HDC are not considered to be in the same class as these “Johnny come lately” snobs. Could you imagine that most of the contractors with the HDC were feted, wined and dined while the bonafide employees, who have served the predecessor organisation, the NHA faithfully for many years, have to resort to celebrating the birth of Christ hiding from their masters. The new management of the Home Development Corporation must hang their heads in shame.  If only they had taken time to listen to the song of the famous songwriter when he serenaded the world with the words “it is that time of the year when the world falls in love.” Then who gives the management of this newly formed organisation the right to desecrate the very meaning and significance of the birth of the Christ child. Why use Christmas as a tool to segregate and create division among God’s people?

H CLOVIS
Port-of-Spain