Keep telling the truth, Chalkie

To the contrary, he showed the deepest respect for authentic Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. In fact, authentic Hindu tradition was exonerated as he waded through the erroneous arguments, that Hinduism had no concept of “trinity” or “cross” that can be related to the Trinity Cross award.

The summary of his reasoned arguments towards the end of his ‘Letter to Mr Manning’ reveals not only his historical acumen but his poetic genius: ‘The Trinity Cross is National in scope and function, and not religious, even though the name espouses a religious concept in the hearts of many. It is like a wrapped dhalpouri roti, which though East Indian by linguistic translation and modified eastern origin and history, is economically and socially Trinidadian in function.”

It is often said, that “a half truth is worse than a lie.” In unmasking the skewed understanding of “discrimination” in the history of Christianity and its relationship towards non-christians east indians as espoused by Justice Peter Jamadar, et al, Dr Liverpool revealed the truth of the charity displayed by christians towards non-christian east indians in Trinidad. All was not gloomy and dark, there were bright lights as well.

Benedict XVI had this to say on May 25, 2006, in Poland: “Humble sincerity is needed in order not to deny the sins of the past, and at the same time not to indulge in facile accusations in the absence of real evidence or without regard for the different perceptions of the time . . . As we ask pardon for the wrong that was done in the past, we must also remember the good accomplished with the help of divine grace, which, even if contained in earthenware vessels, has borne fruit that is often excellent.”

What motivated 12 Catholic nuns to care for lepers, which included a significant amount of non-christian east indians (by 1887), so that in the end “only one nun was alive, the other having contracted the disease”? What motivated Fr Forestier to open the Belmont Orphanage, where in 1887 out of 75 orphans, 50 were Hindu children?

What motivated the Anglicans to build and staff the Tacarigua Orphanage, and are for orphans, many of whom were our non-christian east indian brothers and sisters? What motivated Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians to open Primary Schools that brought education to east-indian non-christians and others as well?

The answer lies at the philosophical foundation of the core of christianity — The Love of Christ! “The love of Christ impels us . . .” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Authentic Christians from the beginning have obeyed their Master and Lord by proclaiming the good news of his love through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, . . . I was a stranger and you made me welcome, . . . sick and you visited me . . . And the King will answer . . ., in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew Ch 25: 31-45). It was the Love of Christ that motivated Mother Teresa of Calcutta to care for the poorest of the poor. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and given a state funeral by the Indian Government, with all the pomp and ceremony given to Mahatma Gandhi at his funeral.

The Love of Christ was so evident in the deed of the early christians, that the non-christian emperor Julien, (who despised christianity), had to grudgingly admire their charity: “The impious Galileans (Christians), support not only their poor, but ours as well. Everyone can see that our poor lack aid from us.”

It will augur well for those who write in the newspapers with headlines like “What charity, Chalkie? to have a little appreciation for the full truth. This at least will show that they have some gratitude!

Keep telling the truth Chalkie! kaiso boy, kaiso!! (Kaiso, literally means — well done!).