Many times I have raised the question to myself and to others in discussion of whether we are better as an independent nation, or would we be better off without it ... but when one really listens and absorbs the words of the independence speech given by Dr Eric Williams, I believe the former certainly has the edge.
Every word seemed so carefully selected and delicately placed to form meaningful sentences and ultimately a powerful speech. A speech that was the formula for a nation's success...A speech that when you hear it again and again something warms you inside. And it invites you to listen to the end...And if you listen well, nothing and no one left out. And within it, three powerful words laid down for us to abide and be guided ... Discipline ... Production ... Tolerance ...
But have we really adhered to those words or have they been lost somewhere along our journey of becoming an independent nation? I believe in this case, the latter applies.
While Trinidad and Tobago has made great, significant and commendable strides in development over the years, and has a lot to be proud of, I still believe something is fundamentally wrong with us as a people and a nation. While today we enjoy the benefits from many of our citizens and leaders long gone, and from being blessed with natural resources, we seem to be losing sight and focus of our responsibility as a people and what we must do to move this nation forward. No government can do it, we as a people must indeed do it ourselves. Our government can encourage and harness our abilities but we the people of this country are its most valuable asset.
In my humble opinion, I think we are fast becoming an undisciplined people, where we have no respect for the rule of law, for each other, for our elders ... our teachers. We all know it begins in the home, then in our schools, that's your home away from home preparing and moulding you for your adult life. It seems to be gone. We have become arrogant, hasty, hostile, impatient and greedy and as the old saying goes "Wrong and Strong."
Additionally, I feel that we as a people are not really as productive as we should be, as is evident in the service we receive anywhere we go. I feel that we have become lazy and spoilt by the wealth we have enjoyed, becoming very laid back, settling for mediocrity when we could do better. And lastly tolerance. I somehow feel also that our tolerance and respect for each other and their opinions, beliefs, religion and ethnicity is being gradually eroded and simply hanging on by a thin thread. It almost feels as though it could erupt anytime.
So may I suggest that "The Speech" be played every morning in every school and not just on August 31. Let it be theirs and our motto. Instinctively, it will register into the minds of the children. Let it be known to all others that we are still a wonderful and harmonious people that live in a blessed country. But the negatives seem to be gaining ground on the positives and we should all attempt to make that extra little difference to stop the slide.
Jason Karam,
Woodbrook