A divided nation

(Concise Oxford). “Mainly common descent, history, language?” Not so. Still, there is hope that a common core of civic values would help make us “a community” - a multi-cultural society.

However, a look at how the fourteen regional corporations are now distributed between the People’s National Movement (PNM) and the United National Congress (UNC) across the country, exposes a divided nation.

The largely urban-PNM and rural- UNC distribution, propped by ethnicity, helps confirm the electoral records. Are we moving forward or backward? Why? Or is it that our political structures should accommodate the ethnic-diversity rights assured by the Constitution, that is a pluralistic democracy; or is that ethnic attitudes should change towards having ethnically-integrated political structures, starting with political parties? The British-derived Constitution provides for a distrustful, divided society; that is a government facing an opposition. But the colonial plantation system threw in such a large amount of ethnic divisions, giving rise, for example, to what is today commonly called “racial politics.” In his 1955 “letting down my bucket” speech at Woodford Square, Dr Eric Williams said: “What is needed in Trinidad and Tobago is a climate in which each racial or religious group will feel relatively secure.” He followed this speech with “Massa Day Done” in 1961 at Woodford Square. At a later Independence Day speech, as Prime Minister, he pronounced: “Two races have been freed but a society has not been formed. It takes more than a National Anthem, a National Flag.” Anyhow, over one month ago, after one man killed another for allegedly making a racial remark against PM Dr Rowley, a newspaper asked for my comments. I recall my comments for a glimpse into race relations here.

The published comments (Guardian, Oct 30) were: “Race relations in this country have long existed in two worlds. One world, struggling to keep things together with exuberant optimism, comprises pretty “all ah we is one” speeches, self-praises and lavish displays of political correctness.

This is the virtual reality world, often mixed with inevitable hypocrisies.

The other world, the more realistic one, is a bruising, threatening one. This other world mainly operates underground here, social-media style for example, and filled with angry, latent prejudices which erupt at the slightest provocation. The racial undercurrents, inflamed by platform rhetoric during the last general elections have not yet died down and in fact will become even more vitriolic as the country heads towards the next general elections.” I added: “The society is becoming more severely competitive with various social groups feeling relatively deprived; and as public sector resources get diminished within our ethnically-divided political system, racial antagonisms would likely escalate.

Big dangers lie ahead.” Additionally, in terms of race relations, including the “roti war,” this column (Nov 27) commended calypsonian Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance) who, after winning TUCO’s presidency two Sundays ago, said, “TUCO expects to do some cutting while seeking to deliver a world class product with restricted budget, cognisant of the economic realities.” I then advised: “My civic interest here is not primarily in which Prime Minister spent more than the other.

Whether Eid, Divali, Emancipation or Christmas, stop such lavish, tax-dollared expenditures at this time. For those who wish them, let such occasions be more community- driven than politically-sponsored.

Some may disagree, but governments must have limits. Get back to basic needs. Let the donors and organisers themselves do such celebrations in their various districts.

After all, these religious or cultural occasions essentially rest on humility, simplicity, devout worship and thanksgiving. No doubt, this project began with good intentions.” I added: “There is no evidence that such expensive, lavish celebrations bring ethnic unity or national harmony.

On the contrary, there is quite often ethnic arousal of relative deprivation by one against the other. I say with respect and without malice, find less ostentatious, thrifty ways to celebrate and worship in this multi-racial society of worrisome contradictions, especially when there is no national cultural policy – assuming one is possible.” Thelocal government results call for caution in this divided “nation.”