Over the years I have noted an unrelenting effort, albeit discrete, to relegate the activities and achievements of people from the south of the country to a "lesser status" than people of "northern origin."It is common knowledge that many residents from north have an extremely difficult time mentally adjusting to "going down South," or at least even going any further than the Caroni bridge. To some it is a painful proposition!
Yet it remains, that southerners have no such compunction, having to go up north for their very existence. Braving the weather and unbearable traffic to do business in the north, or to access the maze of government offices needed to be visited to transact their affairs.So the point of this discussion is that there is a fallacy that has been perpetuated, that what goes on north of the country is superior or better or more rewarding than what happens in south.
Nothing "down south but bush" has been the cry of many of my northern friends. This might have accounted for the many who have moved to the north in the post 1970 migration, when certain communities like Palmiste in the south were vacated as many moved to communities in the east and northwest of the country.
But it still remains that "South" has continued to make a considerable contribution to the progress of our beautiful country. Without South there will be no North. With the input from the energy sector and other industries, the south continues to produce for east, west, south and north and the other Caribbean islands as well. As the records show, outstanding contributions have been made in every facet of our nation's development. Let's give credit where credit is due.
In sports, for example, we have achievers like Hasely Crawford (first Olympic gold medalist), Rodney Wilkes (first Olympic medalist), Mansingh Amarsingh (Caribbean table tennis champion), Raphick Jumadeen (West Indies cricketer) and the late Manny Ramjohn, to name a few. Even the first Ombudsman came from Princes Town, and the late former Chief Justice Sir Isaac Hyatali (San Fernando) and writer/historian Michael Anthony from Mayaro.
In music, Ras Shorty I, Machel Montano, Kees Dieffenthaller, Faye Lyons and there was Sundar Popo and so many others including businessmen, educators, artists, ministers of religion...Then there is Naparima College with the distinction of being the first secondary school in the country.
Above all, we proudly acknowledge that three presidents and three prime ministers including our first female prime minister have come from the south.If there is still a problem with appreciating the south then let's consider the gifted people who live "south of South" in places like Point Fortin, Moruga and Cedros. The talents run deep.So next time you venture to talk about, or visit south, you should proudly say we "going up south." That might be more appropriate. I am just making a cardinal point.
Rev Terrence Honore
Palmiste