Build pride with names of public spaces

The current mindless debate on the naming of a stand at the recently completed Brian Lara Stadium clearly demonstrates this. I firmly believe there ought to be a philosophical underpinning to the naming of public spaces based on a conscious desire to build a deep feeling of pride and identity with this young nation.

A cursory look at publicly named spaces does not support such a position. Unfortunately, our opinion shapers, viz the media, appear to be not up to the task. Unwittingly, they have emphasised every other attribute and in many instances have reduced the debate to race.

On the other hand, we should understand that the act of naming public spaces as well as other initiatives should target building a sense of pride in our being nationals of TT .

There is need to take stock and desist from calls to equate conscription of delinquent youths and equating it with national service or perpetrating falsehoods of Indian and African culture and equating it with multiculturalism.

We should also immediately cease having State participation in religious celebrations of any type simply to respect our Constitution that clearly states that it is indeed so.

I firmly believe our aspiration should simply be to build one nation, one people reflecting a distinct TT culture. With this as a philosophical underpin we will ultimately take pride in our unity.

SAMUEL B HOWARD via emai