Some people have entered the racism derby like a galloping horse, outrageously anxious to pursue a negative agenda regardless of the consequences.Sad to say, some politicians, journalists, religious leaders, businessmen, lawyers throw caution to the wind and make statements which could produce some horrific consequences.When will we face the stark reality that we have to contend with a challenging tripod: race, religion and politics? In this plural society, arriving at a consensus could be easily promised, but not easily delivered. Race and religion have produced scorching flames that have devoured millions, and when you add politics it is like adding fuel to the towering flames.Who really, really wants an ethnic war in this country? None but the idiotic and psychotic. Look at Divali: you have youth who love to travel from location to location and view the spectacular Festival of Lights.It is just not the stimulus which triggers an unhealthy discussion, but also the response. Then, some people will carry the racism monster with them to the cemetery. The latest stimulus that resurrected the dormant racists was the issue of the Equal Opportunities Commission's report on the Devant Maharaj allegation. He claimed that there was heavy discrimination in the award of secret scholarships in T&T.
Now I have one problem with how politicians treat information that comes from these august bodies called commissions. I wonder if it would not be a better strategy for the institutions like the EOC to report their findings rather than a politician giving a summary in the Parliament. Of course, you may want to know the justification for making the recommendation.It is simply thisÚ politicians love to score points but they don't always know when the wicket is turning, and they are sometimes dumb, deaf and blind when it comes to assessing the potential outcome of their statements.Archbishop Gilbert has given an intermediate analysis of the current scenario. However, for too long we have ignored the factors that have contributed to the divisions in the society. So although the outgoing archbishop made some valuable points, a case must be made for the constructive dialogue/debate on racism and discrimination.It is not just the talk, but the management of the discussion that will prove to be critically important. Both parties are accusing each other of playing the race card, whether it relates to scholarships or employment practices. I am sure we have heard the very familiar expression of "jobs for the boys."
Archbishop Gilbert referred to a plea made by both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President George Maxwell Richards. This was the cry for a return to universal values.Listen to the swirling currents around us. Mayor Lee Sing is concerned about the sad state of neglect of the Afro-dominated east Port-of-Spain. President Max Richards appealed to citizens to work together. He was speaking during celebrations at the Divali Nagar site.The next Archbishop of Port-of-Spain, Joseph Harris, made a provocative but profound observation: "As they say, at the end of a rainbow there is a pot of gold. But when you look at our country at the moment, at all levels there is a total breakdown."He proceeded to talk about the divisions of the society. My impression is that he was concluding that the rainbow society consisted of a fractured rainbow.This is not the first time that the term slush fund was used. Enter former Community Development Minister Joan Yuille-Williams. She claimed there was no ethnic bias. Then she launched an atomic bomb. She stated that she was "exploring her legal options."
People started to react fast and furious. Some went so far as to suggest that it was not racism but cronyism. In other words, it was more a party loyalty issue than an ethnic issue. Again, separating the issues is not an easy thing in a plural society, especially where unethical people in the media, poli- tics and even religion drive the debate into the realm of the "dangerous."The nation is under stress; so much is happening simultaneously. Criminals are being arrested while some are being released. School violence continues with St Ann's species of parents intervening. The commission of enquiry into the 1990 coup continues with startling revelations. It is now heating up. Debate on the budget ended in Parliament but continues in the streets.In the Middle East, the Arab Spring may convulse and be converted into the Arab winter, especially for groups like the Coptic Christians in Egypt and those who are scared of Sharia law in Libya. Was America really shocked?One must confess that some of our talk show hosts are the worst things since rotten sliced bread. They enjoy the charges and counter charges. However, they do not add maturity and balance to the discussion.Let us stop this addiction for plenty heat and little light. Let us show respect for each individual and share their pain. Next year promises to produce some economic shock waves across the globe. Maybe the word that should occupy our attention is the word "sacrifice."In closing, let us be wise and not otherwise.