TT the land of protest

THE EDITOR: It’s ironic how people get what they want in this country. We have so many people employed to do specific jobs to ensure that this country moves along smoothly. Yet, the law of the land is based on protest. I cannot remember when last I looked at the television and saw people getting something because they deserved it, whether it is better roads, electricity, schools, wages or anything to improve their standard of living. You simply must protest. The more vociferous and vigorous a protestant you are, will depend on how much of an improvement you get. It is the law. Take for instance, the people using the Papourie Road of Barrackpore to reach the major towns of Princes Town, San Fernando, PoS etc.

I feel sure that like many other people in Trinidad they are in no hurry to discard their old tyres, refrigerators, washing machines, old vehicles and any item that would be difficult to move because they know the only way that they will get the road repaved is to block the roads in a form of protest. Even now as I write this article, I’m looking at the television and what can I see, teachers threatening to shut down schools if they do not get better wages, the Blind Welfare Association protesting that they need housing like everybody else and nurses protesting that they are ‘fed up’ of the promises made by Government to pay monies owed to them. It is not that I feel protests and debates are bad, in fact they can be good at times if a country is to move forward. However, in Trinidad, it has become downright ridiculous, especially since we are a small country with so many people employed in high places to ensure that we are granted basic goods and services.

MICKELL GUNNESSLAL
Iere High School
Siparia