BACK HOME AGAIN!

Flying in from Germany, across the steep, forested hills of the northern range, my heart is lifted as I look for the places familiar to me — along the coast, and deep into the hills and valleys, and wonder how soon I will be able to seek sanctuary there again. Then I look down at the sprawl of the East-West Corridor, the traffic pile-ups along the Eastern Main Road and Churchill Roosevelt Highway, and my heart begins to sink. Try not to be impatient, I tell myself, take a taxi home, avoid the frustrations, ignore the “bad-drives” that I never saw in Germany.

But the driver is pleasant, and we discuss World Cup, and how it was “here,” at home. He, a Trini of East Indian descent, telling me how everyone was so together, and if only we did not have the politicians to suffer, this could be such a nice place. But we all know this already, and still we cannot seem to find a formula to deliver us from the clutches of the corrupt, incompetent and racist politicians to whom we have handed our destiny. Are the Soca Warriors the formula? Please don’t count on that — not in this seven-day wonder society. Regrettably, I advise that the Soca Warriors and the Germany experience will have no lasting effect on us as a people. The “Upliftment” has already come and gone, like a wave passing unnoticed in the ocean. If we are to reap anything lasting from that wonderful, albeit transient experience, then we must embrace it with more than just fete and congratulatory messages.

Have we tried to understand the messages coming from these fine young men? Have we listened, as they spoke from their neighbourhoods, and from their hearts? Even those — no, especially those — whose contributions may have seemed peripheral to the actual performances (reserves who stood in waiting), never spoke of disappointment at their participation, or lack of it. They spoke of team, and of discipline, and of respect for the coach, and the senior players, and of the wonder and the pride they had developed-in themselves, in their team and in their country. And those who came from disadvantaged neighbourhoods clearly recognised the duty their new status has placed upon them.

How will we, as a society, build upon what these young men have given us? Has the flag proudly waving on your car caused you to be a more considerate driver? Do you still throw the empty food box on the road while you fly your flag on your car? Did any of you — parents, teachers, mentors, underline, or even note some of the comments these young men made, or asked your children or your charges what they thought that comment, and how it might influence their lives?

I suspect not. I suspect that the jumping and the waving will be the limit of our appreciation and our understanding of the Germany experience. As I write this I wonder how we might develop some form of permanence in the pride we felt while our Warriors were in Germany. Certainly, it is not within the capability of the government to do this. They self have understood nothing from the experience. Their contribution is over-a typical Trini flag-waving fete, without substance and without any idea of where to go from here. Sadly, our business community will quietly withdraw their enthusiasm, as the World Cup winds down. South Africa is still four years away (actually, the FIFA Draw takes place next year!), so they can wait to see how the new Soca Warriors are looking before they commit themselves to anything.

Think about this, Trinidad and Tobago: Will we, through our feting and indifference, let this moment pass just so? It’s happening already, you know. How can we keep this spirit alive — the togetherness, the discipline and the commitment? Is it worth savouring for longer than ten days? Is there any one, or any group, who will try to keep this ember of hope and pride glowing long enough to light up our lives once again-maybe even permanently? Your ideas are most welcome, but please do not include politicians in this effort.

So, I’m back home again, with all these thoughts, and wondering how they can become reality. I watch the matches still being played, but as a distraction. The World Cup ended for me that Tuesday night in Kaiserslautern, when we all left the Stadium, with thoughts of what might have been... I have no bitterness in saying this, but when it was over for TT, it was over for me, and it was time to come home, and face the awful reality of our failing government and our flailing opposition, and wonder why we have condemned ourselves to them. The vain hope that the Warriors exploits might reduce crime was shattered with ongoing murders and the inability of the government to convict anyone.

As yet another prosecution, dependent upon yet another criminal witness in a “safe-house” fails, and the accused walk free, the Minister of National Security — Senator Elmer Fudd — “The matter is receiving the full attention of the Ministry of National Security and the Security Agencies.” Five men, one of them being the Minister’s own “most wanted individual,” walk free on a murder charge because the prime witness has disappeared since December, and Minister Elmer Fudd tells us, with a straight face, that the State’s “witness protection programme is functioning as it has been mandated to.”

And, as the country crumbles into crime and anarchy, our “best ever” Minister of Education has this to tell us: Her Ministry finally has a Goal! The goal, she gushes, is to ensure that by 2016, at least eighty percent of the pupils finishing Secondary School, will be “Fully Certified.” Does this mean they will be able to read and write? How many leaving school this year will be “Fully Certified”? Ten percent? Zero? What would Dr Eric Williams have thought about such a goal being set by a PNM Administration for 60 years after the PNM’s founding successes? You see why we need to build on the Soca Warriors?