Burdens of privilege

THE EDITOR: The reported comment of one Westmoorings resident, subsequent to the kidnapping of a female jogger in the neighbourhood, that it was “striking too close to home for comfort,” is typical of the mindset by which we have permitted ourselves to become hostage to criminal anarchy. One interpretation of that reaction from a member of affluent and “respectable” Westmoorings being that the kidnap or murder in ghetto or cane field was, for them, an issue of scant concern. It took the kidnapping of one of their own, off their own jogging track, before it warranted their personal concern as an issue of national import.

It ranks, therefore, as somewhat hypocritical when it is rumoured that protest marches around the Savannah are imminent as a result of this latest atrocity. Be that as it may, it is perhaps fortuitous happenstance that the Anti-Terrorism Bill has not yet been enacted; after which, it is entirely possible that such Savannah excursions may be considered legally unacceptable, as was the protest walk of those in Chaguanas against their victimhood by criminal depredation. Why was the society not regaled by the prospect of exemplars marching in determined protest when at the end of 2002, the incidence of murder, reduced by a much reviled UNC from 146 in 1994 to 93 by 2001, comfortably exceeded that total by 2002?

Was there no compassion in Westmoorings for scores murdered in ghettoes of East Port-of-Spain or kidnapped south of the Caroni? Safe refuge in places like Miami, notwithstanding, unless and until those denizens of our most affluent suburbs recognise and accept the responsibility concomitant with wealth and influence, to ensure by both, the welfare, safety and progress of the less fortunate in society, several more of their number, not, unfortunately, in the same proportion as those of the less fortunate, will continue to be victimised with impunity by criminals.

It has been grossly immoral of them while deriving their wealth from this society to abdicate their social, moral and political responsibilities toward it. Participation in Carnival or loud protest in the event of the victimisation of one “too close to home” is not effective involvement in the process of nation building. The politics of any society is as corrupt as those of wealth and influence permit it to be. That is but one of the burdens of privilege. Until they shoulder that burden, they and the entire society will continue to pay a terrible price.

T G MENDES
Port-of-Spain