Race in TT — truth or perception?

ACCORDING to the last census carried out in Trinidad and Tobago, the East-Indian population accounted for 40 percent, African 37.5 percent, mixed 20.5 percent, others 1.2 percent and unspecified 0.8 percent (2000 census).

In spite of the dominance of the East Indian population in terms of the figures the recent past is a clear indication of the perception of many East-Indian persons that there is pervasive institutionalised racism in Trinidad and Tobago.

During an Indian Arrival Day address at the Parvati Girls’ High School on May 30, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared, “Indians in the State employ are being fired or displaced by Government merely because they are Indians.”

Making reference to several demotions and contract terminations experienced by East Indians in the public service she added, “The Indo-Trinidadian community is witnessing a ‘shock and awe’ programme with State-sanctioned policy that significantly discriminates against Indo-Trinis.”

A study published during a period of PNM administration in 1994 by the UWI Centre for Ethnic Studies entitled “Employment Practices in the Public Sector” found that in TT there were ethnic preferences in employment. The findings indicated low proportions of Indians in the highest levels of government, though they were well represented at the clerical levels and in the judicial and professional sectors. The report also said there were many inconsistencies in hiring practices by The Public Service Commission and questioned certain promotions and appointments.

A report from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2001 noted that although surveys of recruitment practices in the public and private sectors had revealed that Indians were under-represented at the highest levels of the public sector for historical and cultural reasons, the available evidence had not substantiated allegations of racial discrimination. It went on to highlight the fact that in the private sector the number of firms owned by Indo-Trinidadians far exceeded the number belonging to other ethnic groups.

Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha member and GOPIO President Devant Maharaj told Sunday Newsday, “In Trinidad racism is manifested in very sophisticated forms and it has taken this form because of the nature of our society.

“I have experienced hostility from persons of African decent at times of political tension. I am speaking about people who I would usually get along with, people who I’ve known longer than I’ve been married.”

Maharaj added, “This racism is clearly seen in the present composition of the public services and the armed forces. There has always been the feeling that when either political party’s adherents were of one ethnic group the other is excluded.

“When you enter the Ministry of Culture or the Central Bank there is nothing you can connect with as an East Indian. It is really felt in a cultural manner. As an East Indian person the national symbols such as the Christian Trinity Cross don’t allow inclusion of all persons.”

However Black Caucus Leader, David Muhammad has a different view of the use of certain national symbols.

“The national symbols of TT such as the national flag or coat of arms serve a dual purpose. Firstly they consolidate the citizens as one nation but secondly they serve to promote an illusion of inclusion even in the eyes of the poor and disenfranchised. On this basis even the poor are led to believe that they are reaping the benefits of citizenship just as the elite! Wherever there is discourse regarding racism and discrimination arises there is swift reference to these national symbols.”

Muhammad made reference to the line penned by Pat Castagne in the National Anthem “here every creed and race find an equal place.”

“Many fail to realise that we are equal when the endeavour at hand is one that we consider to be a proficiency of Africans such as football. However with regard to bank loans for private use or business we are definitely not equal but even then the symbols come to the rescue. An African person seeking to secure a loan is not going to be as easily successful.”

Regarding the perception that East Indians are the exclusive victims of racist acts in Trinidad and Tobago Muhammad said that it was reflective of culture and not analysis of reality.

Muhammad expressed concern for the next generation of East Indians who he said are educated persons who may easily be acculturated into an, “absence of thought and semi-literate ideology.”

David Abdulah, FITUN President and OWTU Education Officer, said, “These racial divisions which are being fostered by political parties have more to do with political leverage than race. The UNC is now in a weak position and would attempt to consolidate support and the one thing it can hold on to is race. It is natural that they hold on to the ethnic base.”

The 2004 UNDP Occasional Paper on “Ethnic Diversity and State Response in the Caribbean” by Joy Moncrieffe stated, “In countries such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, for example, ethnic affiliation has been used as one of the pawns for political mobilisation and leaders have, to varying degrees, reinforced forms and methods of colonial racial segregation.”

Abdulah added, “Many of the prejudices highlighted by persons now are not necessarily based on racism. A lot of the high profile court cases which look to race are actually based on party and party affiliation. Past administrations did the same thing. It is a use of party resources to secure their interest and when there is a co-incidence of race this factor is highlighted.” According to Abdulah, this is one glaring testament to the need for constitutional reform, which is one point which Maharaj agrees with.