Rishard Khan
rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
President Paula-Mae Weekes has described the country as quickly becoming a "brutish and hostile society" and fears citizens have become a "savage people." Her comments came in a year-end address yesterday that highlighted perennial issues facing citizens as she wished for them to be rectified in her overall hope for a better country.
"My overarching wish for the nation is for grace and peace. I fear that we have become a savage people. Lines drawn between ethnicities, political affiliations, the haves and have-nots, worker and employer, citizens and migrants have solidified into intolerance, impatience, unkindness, vitriol and, in many cases, downright nastiness," she said.
"No longer do we seem to be able to have differences of opinion without descending into vicious, no-holds, bad attacks on the individual rather than a debate or discussion on the issues. We appear to have lost all courteous goodwill, civility, decency, and respect and are fast becoming a brutish and hostile society. I pray for a quick return to graciousness, to giving people a fair hearing and a carefully considered response instead of a rush to judgment."
In what is expected to be her last such address as president, her words also come at the end of a year that witnessed over 600 people losing their lives to murder–the highest number in the country's history. It also did not go unaddressed.
"I deeply desire safety and security in 2023. Safety from man and nature. I would like to be able to see friends off at my gate leisurely continuing old talk, not with their scurrying fearfully to their cars as I lock and bolt my gate behind me," she said.
Also, she wishes for flooding to be resolved, the further stabilisation of the economy so citizens could be more financially prosperous, increased individual practices to safeguard against illness, and more programs to address mental health and domestic violence.
"While zero domestic violence is an unrealistic goal, I wish that zero tolerance for it becomes the norm and the vulnerable are taught to recognize the red flags and where they fall victim (they) are provided with the necessary safeguards and services," she said.
On January 20, the electoral college will meet to elect a new president for the country as Weekes' tenure comes to an end.