T&T needs much more of the patriotic fervour that was displayed over the past few days in the lead-up to yesterday’s celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Independence.
Those rare occasions when national pride displaces conflicting ideologies and political preferences also give a glimpse into the potential for this to be a great country.
The Diamond Jubilee has made citizens more aware of their distinctive Trinbagonian identity, as they participate in Independence events dressed in the national colours. Public spaces adorned in red, white and black buntings, banners and flags reinforce that sense of patriotism and pride.
Such a pity that these moments are so rare.
And it is not only on national days that citizens have displayed a degree of patriotic pride that sweeps away disharmony and discontent.
There was that unforgettable moment when the Soca Warriors, the men’s national football team, qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. That magical moment when Dennis Lawrence scored the winning goal in that decisive qualifying game against Bahrain sparked spontaneous celebrations across the country.
Other occasions that stirred up national pride included Hasely Crawford’s 1976 Olympic 100 metres gold, Janelle Penny Commissiong’s Miss Universe title the following year, Brian Lara’s world record test innings knock in 1994 and Keshorn Walcott’s Olympic javelin gold medal in 2012.
Just a few months ago, cyclist Nicholas Paul and sprinter Jareem Richards also landed gold in their events at the Commonwealth Games, evoking more of that jubilation.
Too often, those moments are quickly overshadowed by the daily realities of fiery protests, blocked roads, industrial relations discord, political mudslinging and infrastructural failures.
But of even greater concern is the willingness of some citizens, lured by what looks like greener pastures elsewhere, to cast off that Trinbagonian identity, while others, cognizant only of ethnic and ancestral lineages, look to a distant past rather than present reality in their search for identity.
And therein are the seeds of self-loathing and misunderstanding that have yielded current social upheaval.
This country’s first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams, the father of our nation, had a clear vision of the society T&T could become. Even 60 years later, the profound wisdom of his words is undeniable.
To the newly-independent twin-island nation he said, “There can be no mother Africa, mother India, mother China or mother Syria, but only Mother Trinidad and Tobago and a mother does not discriminate against her children.”
As T&T has learnt over the years, often the hard way, establishing and maintaining a strong national identity from diverse ethnic, religious and cultural traditions need to be an ongoing process.
Occasions like these jubilee celebrations are opportunities to inculcate a deeper appreciation of our unique Trinbagonian-ness and embrace the multiculturalism that makes us who we are.
It is to Mother T&T that we owe our allegiance. That is a fact willingly accepted at times like this, when national accomplishments are at the forefront, but easily discarded at all other times.
There needs to be a greater effort to sustain that patriotism through education, public awareness campaigns and activities that highlight all it means to be Trinbagonian.
A heightened sense of pride in T&T means looking beyond the problems to the solutions, developing a shared vision of a brighter future, working together to achieve it and demonstrating “boundless faith in our destiny.”
