It appears quite obvious to me that the written document referring to the gov. 2004 Social policy and CONSTATT, that has become so controversial, could have been avoided. It was nothing more than PNM bungling in not foreseeing the probable impact such a policy using the phrase, "especially, Afro males 17-24, would have precipitated. In light of the opposition's stance on the nature of PNM's governance at present, nothing more could have been as useful to the UNC towards proving their point. Whether typographical error or intentional sabotage, oversight or myopic arrogance. The results of the process were the same. Outrage and disdain; the biting cries for discrimination now seems to have something to chew on. A tad more sensitivity on behalf of the gov. could have avoided the debacle by merely leaving out the word Afro., and including other statistical markers reflective of financial need etc. such as unemployment, school dropout, etc.; this would have simultaneously targeted (especially) the high-risk group of individuals from the previously worded policy and yet be more inclusive of other groups/races. Of course, all afro Trinidadian males of ages 17-24 are not high risk, as would also apply for any other racial group in tnt. However, the percentage of insecure individuals within this group constitutes a statistically unacceptable amount; making this group peculiar and in need of intervention. In addition, it must be reasoned to be unfortunate and unjust that members of this group (Afros aged 17-24) were so specially 'labeled' in a gov. policy document.

Again, let's not get the message crossed. No one is advocating any kind of affirmative action or racial quota system. That is just the political perspective proffered by the UNC.

We live in a free society with the rights of all citizens enshrined in the constitution, supported by an independent judiciary and press. In a country of almost half and half Indo to Afro populations, racial quotas and affirmative action could never work here.

The gov. policy document, labels a group in our society and suggest that they should be targeted for special attention, not because of their race, age or sex. Rather, this group was targeted due to the fact that there is a markedly high percentage of under achievement in this group. It was happenstance that members of this group would be male, Afro and betw the ages 17-24. We must ask ourselves, why has this become an issue solely of race?

The goal of the policy was to attend to a problem of under achievement in our society that most definitely demands intervention.

In light of the UNC's response, this question must be submitted; if the Gov was interested in affirmative action or racial quotas, how would they accomplish this? The answer, though simple, perhaps clichéd by the various despotic, tyrannical govs. around the world could not up to this point in this discussion be sincerely construed to the gov. intentions.

Consequently, if we eliminate the improbable we are then left with the probable.
Improbable :(Indo female)
Quote:
I was rejected from the course ma, because they say it only have room for more afros?

The constitution would protect the average citizen from such inequity. Therefore, we must consider the probable...

Probable : (Afro male 17-24)
Quote:
Boy, me eh have nothing to do but dey say dong de road that if I want to learn mechanic, I jess have to apply and de gov. go make sure it have classes for we....

Judging from the statement made by Dana Setahal; independent senator:
Quote:
Afros not lining up for universities and colleges throughout the country.
The more than probable approach, would be to make training more accessible and more readily available to this beleaguered group.

What if the gov. policy merely intended that training programs run by CONSTATT would be so modified so as to include a previously left out group; taking care to make training more accessible: via mechanisms leading to the creation of infrastructure. Such as the construction of training facilities at locations proximal to the habitations of the target group. Or, by reducing the size of ed. facilities and increasing the number and diversity of the courses.

Likewise, making training programs more available may involve strategies that focus resources towards the removal of real or perceived obstacles that inhibit this group in question. Possible measures may include. 1) Lowering/subsidizing tuition fees, 2)Providing stipends (for students lacking appropriate financial support) etc.

These are some of the probable mechanisms that could be used in a free democratic society that would distinctly target any high risk group exempting the use of racial quotas etcetera.

I know some people may use the US as a backdrop to their questioning, however, the history of deprivation of minority groups in the US is well documented and acknowledged by the state. Accordingly, affirmative action in the US must be viewed as a form of reparations to those previously aggrieved as apposed to a discriminatory practice which objectives are based on bigoted motives.