Preaching the race gospel

THE EDITOR: The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin, through its President, Parsuran Maharaj, is “demanding” that the Government, police and judiciary increase the resources allocated towards fighting crime in the country “immediately.” This “demand” is so because of Indo- Trinis being “under threat,” an obvious reaction to the murders of Ashmead Baksh and Mala Mohammed. These executions they claimed, “forced them to ask if there is a death and kidnapping squad targetting the Indo-Trinidad community.”

Their question in turn, forces me to ask: Who are you insinuating is responsible for the death of Ashmead Baksh, Mala Mohammed or any other Indian killed or kidnapped in this country? Is your tone suggesting that it’s the Afro-Trini? And he further went on: “It appears that the political leadership that represents the majority of Indo-Trinidadians as well as the Indo-Trinidadian business community, have been marked for death by virtue of the colour of their skin, texture of their hair and strength of their voice in the Indian community.” He wondered further, if the next victim will be a politician, a pundit, Imam, an Indian lawyer or an Indian columnist.

The fact is, no one has been held yet for the two murders. So why is race playing a factor here? Another fact is that, the majority of murdered victims in this country are the black youth (by the black youth) and other victims in the East-West corridor. And Maharaj and GOPIO know that. A number of the kidnap suspects held so far are Indians like themselves and they know that also. Obviously, these people have an atrociously racial and political agenda, determined to destroy what ever is left of the racial harmony amongst the two major groups in this country. Similar sentiments come from the UNC, pundits, Indian columnists and Indian Lawyers. These are probably the “Indian voices of strength” that were referred to earlier.

The only form of sanity and decency seem to come from the Imam — you almost never hear them issue racial fulminations. Unfortunately, there are newspapers in this country, which allow them the time and space to execute their nastiness to be promoted to the outer world, via the Internet. Definitely, the ignorant will think that it’s authentic. Why is there so much silence from the sensible, intelligent East Indian brothers and sisters? Are Maharaj and GOPIO speaking on your behalf also? Everyone, including those in the black community, crucified Selwyn Cudjoe for his COSTAATT statement, which was in no way as brutal and dangerous as this.

Is this why they are so clamouring for an East Indian newspaper, so that the pages would be dominated by constant talk of race as the radio stations do? Once this sort of “gospel” continues to be preached, whether it is through the media or directly, I will never be convinced that racial harmony would ever improve in TT. Interestingly, another UNC relative is killed, this time it is Monohar Ramsaran’s niece in Canada. — a country where they are supposed to be safe from  such “heinous slaughter.” Are they going to “demand” the Canadian Government protect their people? I’ll be more than grateful if this article is published because it’s never easy for the “other view” to be heard.           

GARVIN WALTERS
Tobago