Lead Editor–Newsgathering
kejan.haynes@guardian.co.tt
Since August 1, she’s been immortalised through AI-generated memes, demonised by some Government supporters using the same technology, and even had AI-generated earrings, pendants, bags and T-shirts posted in her image.
But who is she?
Olabisi Olaguke describes herself as an ordinary country girl from Sangre Grande who later migrated to New York for school, earning an associate degree in under two years. But migration never weakened her ties to home.
She spoke to Guardian Media from her New York home as the sounds of the sirens echoed in the background. She says she stayed closely connected through regular visits and communication, while keeping up to date on local issues.
Emancipation Day is her annual pilgrimage.
But on this particular day, while listening to Minister of Culture Michelle Benjamin, something changed. As the minister spoke about African unity and the need to continue the struggle for freedom, Olaguke found herself becoming increasingly upset.
“I got upset because we, the people, know. Even though I don’t live there, I have friends who are there. I know when they are broke. I know when they don’t have food. I do. I know those who have children that I help to send supplies for. I mean, the list is endless.”
She said she never booed Minister Benjamin but heard others doing so. But she was moved to the front of the stage and, when Benjamin praised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Government, sections of the crowd erupted in boos, jeers and hisses.
Trinbagonians have never been apprehensive about saying how they feel in any situation. But during multiple States of Emergency, the public has become a lot more apprehensive about voicing dissenting opinions, but Olaguke said something came over her.
“It’s like when spirit chook you, you know,” she said. “ You say something, and by the time you say it, it’s like it’s too late to pull it back. You can’t pull it back. It’s already like an arrow that’s been launched. You just can’t pull it back, you know. And it was not disrespectful. It was the truth. And sometimes standing by the truth is not popular. Sometimes uttering the truth is not popular.”
In a country divided deeply along political lines, she has become either the hero or villain in the public’s eye depending on their political persuasion.
But she didn’t know that for a long time. Two of her phones were down for weeks, so the memes, cheers and jeers only reached her second-hand.
“When I saw some comments that people said, ‘Oh God, this woman make my pores raise,’ I knew then when I heard that. I saw that. I read that a couple of times, and like I said, I had to go through a third party because people had to send stuff for me.”
She has also heard how the words, “We will remember how you promised us food tomorrow while we starve today,” have been interpreted.
As an educator herself, she often has to teach her students what a metaphor is.
“So when I am hearing that I am not starving, I understand that I am not starving, and I do have a few extra pounds, and I can freely admit that I could happily lose them. But they find their way back,” she said with a hearty laugh.
She also takes the allegations of political affiliation in stride.
“I am not a PNM. I am a people person. I am a person for the people. Whether it’s PNM, UNC, NJAC, People’s Partnership, or any one of those parties that will do right by the people.”
And she reminds people that she’s an equal-opportunity heckler.
Two years ago, she also approached former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley during Pan Semis.
“Sometimes it’s hilarious because I say people are very convenient because Dr Keith Rowley got it from me live on the Greens two years ago. I gave it to him, like, gave it to him.”
Olaguke at the time raised issues with him about how he planned to uplift young black people.
