Our bad race relations in Trinidad and Tobago is a phenomenon, that exists all over the world at times under the guise of ethnic cleansing, civil wars and tribal wars.

Fortunately, for us in Trinidad and Tobago, all we have to deal with here is: Marginal cultural differences, intensified by subliminal political pressures, with selfish self-interests as the common denominator. Just pretending that a racial problem does not exist in TT, will not make it go away. We must come to terms with it once and for all. It must be addressed and consequently eradicated. One does not have to visit the Public Library or surf the Internet for information and facts of this dilemma.

It is out there for all to see. The once peaceful-coexistence that once existed here has since eroded much to our detriment.

The million-dollar question is: What has brought "Afro" and "Indo" Trinidadians to this predicament? The answer is simple. Our "dirty politics" not our social endeavours.

The "divide and conquer" idiom is what is at work here. Depending on one's point-of-view, our problems racial and otherwise, are for the most part "of our own making" which will require serious introspection in order to be resolved.

We have been spared up until now the plights of the citizens of Guyana, the US and South Africa which are for the most part racial in nature and that of Nigeria which is tribal. Our cultural differences are more peripheral than dominant and our pigmentation (generally speaking) because of its homogeneity, highlights our similarity, our tolerance level is extremely high, so say the least and our fore bearing is matchless. Therein lies our salvation from civil unrest and racial strife.

We are setting the clock back, by continuously going at each other's throat day in, day out, which can eventually lead to the complete annihilation of our beautiful-island/society. We have been known, in the not too distant past to live together as "one." From the days of TUB Butler, one of our foremost leaders, whose closest confidantes were for the most part Indo Trinidadians which brings to mind an election slogan in that era, which was: "a vote for Roodal is a vote for Butler." Timothy Roodal, an extremely wealthy Indo Trinidadian, who at the time was unknown to the masses, decided to become involved in politics as a "dark horse" candidate, and the Protégé of TUB Butler. A similar parallel to that of TUB Butler, can be drawn in the political career of Dr Eric Williams, if even to a lesser extent.

We have now traversed to the "Let's get them, before they get us," era in our politics. Unmindful of the fact that no side wins, in a war; one side may declare victory and pack up and walk away as was the case in the not too distant past in the protracted US Vietnam War, which ended with no decisive winner only casualties.

The "non-sense" is steering us in the face yet we continue to ignore it. Just to digress a bit: the Indos and Afro Trinidadians, were able to coexist peacefully, (relatively speaking) all these years, despite our disagreements during the "dark-ages" of slavery (Afros) and Indentureship (Indos) under colonialism: with the yoke of oppression, dehumanisation and prejudice/racism and now on the threshold of an imminent Oil/Gas boom, the two predominant groups who built this country with their blood, sweat and tears from comparative obscurity to what it is today — the most prosperous island in the region and arguably, one of the richest countries in the world, barring none are now foolishly engaging in a slug-fest of great proportion, much to the consternation of the foreign businessmen who visit our country. The latter hell-bent on taking over some of our best companies, as in the case of TCL with others orchestrating the absolute control of ALNG, the procurer of unheard of revenue in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ironically, our Indo counterparts who seem to be more vocal, have benefited the most from the largesse, emanating from our oil/gas boom. They are predominant in the professions and entrepreneurships which is not the case with Afro Trinidadians. The Indo Trinidadian's "pluck" derives from jingoism, which the Afro Trinidadian unfortunately lacks at this point in time.

This he must inculcate. On the matter of what I view to be derogatory name-calling is not only obnoxious, but is also unacceptably prevalent. We either learn to swim together, or we will inevitably sink together. It is for us to embellish our unique identity of "same-ness," as Trinidadians and endeavour to obliterate our "petty differences" — all in the name of peace, harmony and prosperity.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin