Thank you for clarifying the intention behind your posts; however, I suspect that there is more than a modicum of genuine feeling in much of what you have written thus far since there is always an element of truth in any type of humour. Be that as it may, I am going to attempt to articulate my background and position more clearly.

Firstly, I am a patriot. I am a proud Trinidadian. I grew up in La Romaine and St. Joseph Village, and am a proud southerner, in the Trinidadian sense. My father, a proud inhabitant of San Fernando, has always mocked people in Port-of-Spain for believing that Trinidad ends at Chaguanas. Although I live abroad at the moment, I make regular trips back to Trinidad and am planning on purchasing property there soon.

As for Sandy’s remarks, I do believe that they were very unfortunate in that they have triggered a lot of ill feeling and rancour amongst this nation’s two major races. I do not think that there is any room for that in the public domain. I understand that there have been similar incendiary comments made from government officials, but I believe that two wrongs do not make a right.

With that said, Sandy’s remarks represent an opportunity for an examination of the state of race relations in Trinidad and Tobago. I have remarked before that the public domain, i.e. all forms of media, the citizen in the street and the government chambers, have been mired in an interminable racial stalemate, where public figures, and private citizens from both of T&T’s main racial groups have cast aspersions on the political, economic and social motivations of the other groups. These Trinicenter blogs are an excellent case in point. Over the past three years or so, I have observed the same unrelenting pattern of discourse, where bloggers impute the most negative characteristics to the East Indian and African races. You request a meaningful contribution from me, well on this score, my meaningful contribution is that this pattern of conversation must cease immediately and we all have to begin truly listening to the other.

With that said, there is still much to be said about the lack of cultural identity present among Trinidadians of African descent.I cannot speak for Tobagonians as much, but I can speak for African-Trinidadians. This cannot continue much longer if racial harmony is to become a reality and not a mere abstract desire. As things stand now, many from the East Indian community have held on to their traditions and gone from strength to strength as a result; the same cannot be said for African-Trinbagonians, with the result being the social decay and collapse that is evident today. You seem to dismiss my view on this point. That is fine. All I am asking of you is not to be dismayed as the economic and social collapse of the African-Trinbagonian continues unabated.

Admittedly, cultural discovery is a long-term goal and cannot be achieved overnight; however there are things that the mainly African-descended community can do to return to the stability of earlier decades. Firstly, there needs to be a resurgence of the ideals of family and community-building within the African-Trinbagonian community. My wise Mizrahi Jewish Kohan has always declared that “family is the center of all living and in living, you live”. This is a very profound and true adage. Strong families lead to strong communities, which lead to strong municipalities, which eventually lead to strong countries. It is only when the African-Trinbagonian rejects the souless secularism of American culture and the destructiveness of gangsta rap and dancehall culture that there will be a resurgence of the African-Trinbagonian community.

You may not agree with me, and to you, it may seem “simplistic” as you put it, but everything starts from the smallest element and grows organically. So this is my two cents.

As for the rancourous tenor of my previous post, I am willing to let bygones be bygones and continue engaging in debate with you. The only thing I ask that our future interactions be marked by respect and civility.

And with that I bid you and this blog topic farewell for now.

You know ,part of my duty as a fervent practicioner of ‘Agnostic Buddhism ,’is to aid folks ,to end their sufferings, in all it’s manifestations- TriniAmerindian, being an obvious case in point, and oh AfroBuddahSunGod, who resides in our hearts , and not de sky-some some erroneously believes-give me the patience, if it’s really worth de effort.
Can it get any worst folks of Trinicenter nation? Should I simply applaud de fact that Cuz TriniAmerindain , chooses to place his tail between his legs, like a ‘San Souci Zandolee,’ by running to de hill,as opposed to indulging in a ‘lil bit oh , win / win ,cyber jousting,’while making his points?
That’s it , maybe it’s time to take off dem symbolic gloves of mine, and break down what I am about ,as far as ‘end game strategy ,’on dis here information highway , since the likes of a Triniamerindian , still ain’t get it , high intellect as he claimed to be.
Let me make something absolutely clear Triniamerindian ,when it comes to my cyber Machinations interplays ,with fellow bloggers. I do not care about the background of any individual that presently speaks , halt speaking, is referred to reverentially , or in contempt , whether they came into being 2000 years ago, is still alive , or yet to be born – since their incarnation cycle ain’t arrived as yet.
Your race , ethnicity, high end educational credentials , globally lauded achievements , national stature, political affiliations, gender , class , place of origin , place you or any other reside presently , and counting, is inconsequential as far as I am concern.
There is only one reason, I will take anyone seriously , or accord them the respect they deserve, and here it is. Do they love their country of birth , respect the rights , and history, of all the people of Trinidad and Tobago- and so wish , where applicable , to see positive changes for them , and essentially see every Individual advance to his or her full potential? Can’t help , if simply luv me some patriots!
I similarly despise hypocritical revisionists , ungratefulness, and selectively outrage , neo tribal – pro criminal apologists, as I believe no society can advance sustainably ,with such around.
I am however ,well aware , that some patience is necessary , on many occasions , since we all are not at the same level of thinking , as individually ,we bring different skills sets, and experiences to the table.
You are correct, I ain’t know you from jack rabbit, but neither do I know T-Man , Loyal Trini , Mamboo, and company , and yet I likewise ,have the same spirited discourse with them , sometimes very serious, other times humorous ,occasionally contentions , but through it all,’ I ain’t luv dem brothers , or maybe sister citizens’ ,any less. Of this I can assure you.
Trinidad and Tobago upliftment is the fundamental goal first. If we can thus become the small shining light in the region , that can then be a beacon of hope ,for others to follow , then that’s certainly a beautiful thing, ain’t it my learned friend?
Promise me you would therefore ,quit acting like that petulent kid , who lost his or her favorite toys , and get on with the business of trying to make a difference to the unenlightened, yes?
Be yourself, laugh , have a ‘lil cybernetic fun,’ and educate us , by bringing something tangible to de table,hmmm?
It just might be Oliver Goldsmith ,who once said, “No one but a fool would measure their satisfaction by what the world thinks of it.” I am almost certain that brother TriniAmerican ain’t no fool, ain’t dat right?
Best wishes my brother. If you still feel the way you do , after my attempt at respectable civility, well….Otra VEZ, Y , sorry, and it was nice communicating.
Ahhhhhh, and what a good life this is in my T&T , so what it is WASA fet tonight, even if half the country suffers from irregular water supply?
Well, ‘a lil distraction ain’t half bad.’ Maybe my first Panorama in 2 decades instead at de QPS? Hey TMan , I know you might be saving your full energies for Caribana,instead.In de interim ,be careful with dem Tobago gals , buddy. Think I might look to decadent Rio , for my dose of guilty pleasures. ‘Mucho gusto , obrigado!’
Luv Humanity folks!

However, I do not desire to belabour this point any longer. We will just have to beg to differ on this point.

As for the article, I have already stated my main arguments and see no need to rehash them here. Although our beliefs are different, I believe that we can work together to heal the culturally programmed masses in Trinidad and Tobago and help everyone to worship the Divine according to their own understanding and cultural background.

If it was not already clear in the beginning, I offer my sincerest apologies for any hostility and intemperance that may have seemed apparent from initial posts. I will have to learn to moderate my tone in the future.

Shalom