Fishermen deserve recognition too

THE EDITOR: Permit me space to respond to your front page headline “Trinidad gone mad!” an utterance by Canon Clarke at a slain cop’s funeral.  The average citizen of TT is fortunate to hear these utterances from the hierarchy of the Church. It took the slaying of a top cop to achieve same. Three eulogies were read at the funeral expressing concerns about the cops dedication to duty, commitment, bravery etc. For tangible recognition a posthumous award was presented at Independence celebrations. The congregation was showered with dignitaries, including politicians, President, hierarchy of the Defence Force and Police Service.

To the same cause, feeding the nation, there was no recognition for the men who lost their lives by piracy in Cedros, Icacos and Moruga. There was no outcry that Trinidad gone mad. Are we to believe that nothing good could emerge from third class citizens. Are we to believe that social mobility is absent in TT Society? That first class citizens do not recognise that a life is a life be it poor or rich. Alas! I further state, in support of this statement, when Alexander lost his life recently, not one politician graced the cortege with his or her presence, not even a person from the Ministry of Agriculture Lands and Marine Resources, far less Fisheries Division.

The main dignitaries at that funeral were Mr Emile Louis from All Tobago Fisherfolk Association and Miss Gloria Cameron from the SE Fishing Association. It makes us believe that the only time in the eyes of the politicians, that the fishermen are important are at election time or when a diet of fish is needed. How sad!

PETER BLANDIN
Moruga