I recently told a morning talk show host that the issue of race cannot be swept beneath the political carpet and will not go away as some would like to believe. I made these comments based on my interaction with people on a daily basis. Perhaps if I were a political scientist the host of the programme would have invited me to discuss this issue openly. The issue of racism in society is and will always be openly discussed by the people of our country and the politicians and media will continue to add fire to the discussion, one to gain support and the other to gain market share at the expense of maintaining harmony and peace in the society. Dr Eric Williams, noted historian, knew that in order to win an election he had to keep the Muslims and Hindus apart and poison the minds of the Afro-Trinidadians/Tobagonians by referring to Indo-Trinidadians/ Tobagonians as a recalcitrant and hostile minority. He knew that by keeping society in a state of divisiveness and given the demographics the PNM would remain in power for a long time. The back of this divide-and-rule syndrome was broken in 1986 when the NAR was formed, calling on all to unite to remove the PNM from power but the damage to society was already done. Our society evolved economically, socially and politically but the issue of race remained.
Politicians played on the minds of the electorate with their half-truths and innuendos to conquer the corridors of power without thinking of the future consequences their aspiration to gain power would have on society. It was reported that political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath is calling for an urgent debate on race relations. Ragoonath is demanding that somebody "starts the debate." He said: "I think it is going to cause more and more people to rally so that their voices be heard. We need to discuss race relations in general and not in a limited sense, in a general sense that would also include the Police Service." Ragoonath said the debate also must be performed in a "measured" way so it is not blown out of control
The fact that several people in high office indicated that there is an ethnic imbalance in the Police Service and was not condemned is an indication that local politicians are guilty of having "dog hearing." The issue of race will remain an albatross on those who have been entrusted to govern yet fail to listen to the voice of our people. In fact every government is more preoccupied with casting aspersion on its predecessor rather than dealing with the reality that is before it. Now that Prof Ramesh Deosaran has taken up his appointment as chairman of the Police Service Commission, he too must address the burning issue of ethnic imbalance and restore unity in the Police Service by making recommendations to Parliament on the issue. It is the job of those who occupy the corridors of power to educate and explain the rational for their actions in shaping society.
In the perfect world politicians are expected to explain and inspire the people, they are supposed to be the mentors to future generations but they are more interested in holding on to power at the expense of society. The question is: Do our politicians have the foresight and knowledge to deal with the issue of race with an open mind so as not to create further divisiveness in society? Also: Is the media responsible enough to ensure that their journalists report exactly what is said rather that assume what is meant by what was said? The reporting of any statement made by those who occupy high offices must be done accurately and left to the judgment of the people who put them in office. It is the expectation of the people that those who we have chosen to govern do so with integrity, respect and transparency. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar frequently used the quotation "vox populi vox dios"- "the voice of the people is the voice of god"-and during the election spoke about the right to recall by referendum. Why is there such a long delay in the appointment of a constitutional commission to address the shortcomings of the Constitution? We have heard that the Constitution gives the Prime Minister unfettered power and how dangerous that is. Has the situation changed since the last election? I think not and the people must continue to let their voices be heard. They must not remain silent and have everyone believe that our society is one with a 10-days memory.
Shyankaran Lalla
Via e-mail