True emancipation lies only in the eyes of a few fortunate beholders. The inevitability of being born with nothing and leaving nothing behind is even more stark when I see what is being described as discrimination in T&T.
We of African descent are overjoyed to have been emancipated but there were no gifts given to the horrendously treated former slaves. The 'new' slave population imported from India were also badly treated but at least, if they wished, they could return to India. And it came to pass that many years later (1975), a People's National Movement government gave out gifts of land when the sugar industry became too heavy a drain on the Treasury. Land is supposed to be gold. The former slaves originating out of Africa got no golden hand shakes in the years 1834, they were just simply unshackled.
Fast forward to 2016, and we have the descendants of the indentured labourers, wearing jerseys with the word 'Discrimination' boldly emblazoned. In the month of Emancipation, Neveruary 2016, there are some people with no conscience whatsoever, agitating for their own form of 'reparations' for indentured slavery. Is it not time to stop harassing the present government for money promised by a previous administration? Is it not a fitting time to get over pulling the race card and for embarking on yet another guilt trip? The Partnership/UNC made promises they could not keep and now expect the PNM to be the new 'sweetman' for sugar money to mind their political children.
None the less, I am happy to equally wish the descendants of both indentured labourers and the original slaves, Happy Emancipation Day in the year of our Lord, 2016.
Lynette Joseph
Via email