When supporters and members of political parties say, ‘we in power’ or ‘we lost power’ we have to be reminded that they are emotionally tied to these political parties. They share a communal sense of well-being. As with all political parties, the supporters also live vicariously through their party’s oligarchy. Most grassroots supporters in Trinidad and Tobago are comforted with a sense of inclusion through seeing their racial kind in leadership.
Many Africans remember the “Is We Turn Now” language and conduct from many Indians when the Panday-led UNC was in government during the period 1995 to 2001. Having seen political power for the first time many Indians in their exuberance were openly spewing their racial dislike for Africans. One must also remember that Basdeo Panday solidified himself as the political leader of Indians by appealing to them on a racial level at every turn. He convinced many Indians that they were under a constant racial assault from the PNM. So in many respects, Africans do have reason to be distrustful of Indians in leadership.
This People’s Partnership government is somewhat different, besides the obvious fact that it is led by an Indian woman who has broad appeal across racial lines. At this point in time, this government does not have the appearance of being an extremely elitist, Indian-controlled coalition. The UNC and the People’s Partnership coalition both have a better image today and this is largely due to the presence of one man: Jack Warner. He is the only African in a leadership position in the alliance, who, by virtue of being relatively financially independent and powerful in his own right, will not be seen as a stooge of the Indian elite or anyone else. Without Warner, all the other Africans in the coalition could be considered subordinates to Indian elites.
If Warner is ever forced out of that party or demoted in government then the People’s Partnership would be led by several elitist-type Indians who were staunch defenders of Basdeo Panday’s failed leadership. They did not take a stand with Warner in calling for UNC’s internal party elections which eventually ended Panday’s political control and which made the UNC attractive to the wider populace for a chance in government.
It is in this light that Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who herself did not take an early stand to remove Panday, must unequivocally defend Jack Warner except if he flagrantly breaks the law.
Many Africans, who are supportive of this partnership, for now, are cautiously keeping an eye on how they deal with Jack Warner and how they control Indian racism.
Of course, because of how Jack Warner invested in Chaguanas and other parts of Trinidad, many poor Indians and Africans are grateful to him and defend him as their representative. This is a welcoming sign because poor Indians are usually the force behind the Indian elites, and with their support behind Jack Warner, he cannot be easily discarded.
Having said this, I am personally not too bothered by some of the racist comments that I hear from some Indians. I am sure that there are racist Indians in the People’s Partnership government. But many Indians, including the ones who spew racial venom, are quite aware that this People’s Partnership victory was dependent on several African factors – Jack Warner’s leadership and finance, and the increased support from Africans on the ground. For this government to survive they will need the ongoing support of Africans in and out of government.
I have also long heard many Africans utter racist comments about Indians.
Christian-Africans through the PNM have dominated political power in this country for a long time and have even marginalized other Africans who promote African awareness. Many Christian-Africans consider any indigenous form of worship to be evil, so their prejudice is not only towards Indians but even other Africans who engage traditional African religious practices. They, like ex-PM Manning, consider the wearing of traditional African clothes on a regular basis to be backward (they make a costumed allowance for the Emancipation celebrations). This Christianized-African PNM dominance has also contributed to Indians holding firm to what they perceived as their only political vehicle, the UNC and its earlier manifestations. It is no surprise that even when Indians were disappointed in Basdeo Panday, they did not throw their support behind the PNM. PNM represented a dominant African-based political force over them.
African PNM supporters should not be in the position they are today of feeling threatened by racist Indians. PNM has been in political power the longest and if they were unable to make their support base feel better about themselves and to be in a position to challenge and defeat any racist group in Trinidad and Tobago, it is their fault. If the PNM government did not allow the education system to comprehensively address racism, then guess who is to blame? It is foolhardy for PNM members to feel that maintaining PNM in power at any cost is about resistance to Indian racism. Their complacency in the PNM is why the party always played down the concerns of African activists who sought to engender African consciousness. PNM’s inability to consider African-centred folks to be worthy of promotion in the political landscape is partly responsible for their party members’ low self-image.
There is a history of PNM disrespecting and disregarding African activists even while facilitating Indian culture in the state media in an attempt to woo Indian voters. This foolish policy that denied Africans and allowed Indians to use the state media, inadvertently allowed Indian activists to use the same state media to consolidate their political forces against the dominant PNM. PNM members were never interested in what was being presented under the guise of Indian cultural programs. They smugly thought that PNM would be in power forever.
While Indian activists stepped up their campaign of building political awareness and started challenging the status quo in the early 90’s, Christianized PNM supporters were caught unaware. They could not decipher which Indian concerns were legitimate and which were illegitimate. The presence of Dr. Cudjoe only helped a little except that Africans who gravitated to him were mostly interested in rivaling Sat Maharaj and other Indians. This is not sufficient to raise the consciousness of Africans so they could liberate themselves while preparing them to guard against both external and internal threats.
Africans who feel threatened this time around can use this time to learn the many lessons that they have traditionally neglected – especially African history – to first raise their awareness to become more creative and more astute financially and politically. If they do this while aligning themselves with other progressive Africans they would never have to feel threatened by anyone.
PNM members (most of whom are Christians) have to be a lot more honest and stop only looking at racism in the context of what some Indians spew and do, but also look at themselves and see how they are racist towards Indians too. They also have to examine their prejudices toward other Africans who adhere to African traditions.
HERU
I found this discourse by Heru, very well thought out. Although, categorising Trinidadians into Africans and Indians which seems to be the norm these days, makes me a bit queasy. I remember an Indo-Trinidadian woman telling me that she always grew up thinking she was an Indian, until she went to England and met Indians from India, and was firmly put in her place.
As Heru said, both sides have been guilty of racist comments, the people that he referred to in the last paragraph of his discourse would do well to consider Matthew 7:1-5 ……”And why behold you the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye”…..
The same goes for the “African Trinidadian” who arrives in Washington D.C. who is told by his cab driver from Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal, etcetera that he is not African. If you have to research a tradition, perhaps you should not focus on it as a gateway to the definition that is you.
Kamlas victory was for the People of Trinidad and Tobago. There will be racist comments, but as long as the government is not wasting precious recourses and is trying to help all of the people in the country we shouldn’t have a problem with her or how the Peoples Partnership is racially composed. All that matters is that TNT is moving forward with positive growth and improvements to lives of the people.
excellent analysis, well balanced, thoughtful and well meaning.
How come when we have an Indian PM, we have the talk of racist Indians as shown by the writer of “Indo-Afro Political Dynamic”? He points out that many Africans are going to be exposes to a racist, Indian backlash from this People’s Partnership government. I think if that happens, I would not cry over it, because for almost 30–35 years when the PNM ruled Trinidad, Indians were subdued, treated like garbage, deprived of many things, and exposed to blatant racism and prejudice in every sector of society in Trinidad. But, then again, I would not look to an Indian backlash, because the new PM is a too good-natured lady. I do not think she has that mean streak in her veins, which other past Prime Ministers have. You talk about backlash, under Dr. Eric Williams, Indian kept their mouth shut because of the fear of more persecution. If an Indian got a good job in the public, he was lucky. Indian received backlash and more than backlash because they did not vote for PNM.
I grew up under PNM ruled, in PNM and Dr. Eric Williams days droves of Afro-Trinidadians roam the street at night thrashing other party’s advertisements/banners during elections. This was done with the blessing of the PNM government. Many supporters of the Indians were beaten, Indians were also beaten. I know of one Indian gentlemen who was beaten and slashed on his hands and back, bleeding he had to run for his life. The only thing that saved him, it was night and his hiding place was in some one’s yard. The attacker could not find him. Unknown to this Indian, the yard he hid in was an Afro-Trinidadian yard. With the commotion, the Afro-Trinidadian woke up and found this Indian gentleman and applied bandages to help stop the flow of blood. The police turned a blind eye to everything.
Now we have a different mentality in the police force, they have grown beyond racism. They uphold the law and protect not only Afro-Trinidadian but all Trinidadians, whether you are white, black yellow, green, brown or a colour in-between. Many Afro Trinidadians who supported the PP, see the Indians as their brothers/sisters, they have also grown beyond racism. They no longer want to dwell or follow the racist ideas of the PNM, the want a better society and are willing to work with the Indians.
I am tired of racist writers and critics who turn a blind eye to plight of their Indian brothers and sisters, who perpetuate racism, preach / write words that leads to violence or racism, and who wants to destroy the good things that their new PM wants to build. Please remember that Kamla is the one, who changed the education system, so all children can go to high school. She has a lot of more good things planned to better this nation. In the past the PNM and its PMs only look after the Afo-Trinidadians, others in society were neglected or suffered tremendously. I leave you with a saying, before the pot calls the coal pot (cooker) black; the pot should have a look at itself because both are black. If the Indians are racist, then Afro-Trinidadians are even more racist and this racism has been taught by past PNM Prime Ministers and PNM Ministers. We are looking to build a new nation. Many Indians and blacks are looking forward to a new beginning, justice, and less discrimination and less prejudice. Let us not mess up a good thing for the new PM and all the people of TT. We are looking for a place where “every creed and race finds an equal place.” We do not want more racism to be practiced against our Indian brothers and sisters. You had black governments in the past and they messed up the country, let’s give the Indians and the PP a chance.
Jim, you have to be under 30 years and grew up listening to the PNM gift to the Indian community 91.1 fm. Maybe if the ‘author’ plays a FAIR game, you may learn something here.
Take a chill pill Jim, how did Indians became an economic force under those oppressive PNM blacks? How did Indians became a “Majority” (I still have reservations about their majority status) in T&T under such oppressive conditions?
Poor Curtis, always thought he was mixed until he hit DC, like so many of these 20% that who claim to be mixed in T&T.. Ent Linda, you are like a willow tree. Give off ample shade and medicine for pain.
Anyway Heru, Gambling is a game of chance.. It is not a good way to earn a living. The ‘Jack of Spades’ may not be the highest card dealt this rounds.
You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away and know when to run
You never count your money, when you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’, when the dealin’s done.
George- clearly you read that wrong. My response to Helen is not about being mixed. It’s about patriotism in TNT for TNT and not for India or The whole continent of Africa. It’s about the reality as Africans from Africa living in the United States view Africans of the Diaspora.
My point is that Trinibagonians should embrace who they are rather than identifying with the separation of racial tribalism that gets nothing accomplished. Dawn a dashiki daily and stick a bone through your nose if you want to. In Africa to Africans you are not African your Trinidadian. In India to Indians you are Trinidadian. You are all apart of something different. Trinidad and Tobago is for Trinibagonians. Everyone else are only visitors, trouble makers, or xenophobes. The country will be there long after you and I have died so we might as well embrace our future together rather than our separate past.
Indians became an economic force BECAUSE of the discrimination. Locked out of the Public Service and government institutions, Indians turned to business and professional occupations to support themselves. Higher education was pursued as a means to further knowledge and experience to expand their businesses.
When it became obvious that a centralized economy was not sustainable, and government enterprises were privatized,it was mostly afro-trinis who were let go. Now they would have to compete with people who had degrees and experience in a non-insulated environment.
For the most part Indians have now internalized these educational traditions and are the better for it.
Jim, I have a story that is similar, my mother a Portugese Trinidadian always bought meat from an African Trini in the market, they chatted and were good friends, as soon as TT got independence in 1962, my mother was told by this same person, “now we rule no more “White” rule from all yuh” my mother was devastated by this comment, and never thought that this man would say such a thing to her. Needless to say that she shopped elsewhere.
We all have stories like that Trini Girl I guess it goes to show that we need to be drawn together by a common identity. We have to find it and it is up to our leaders to promote it. I would love to see us all unite as one. But I guess this would only happen through acceptance not of colour but of culture which I believe is where our biases exist.
“Many Africans, especially those who have traditionally supported the PNM, are concerned about a possible racist, Indian backlash from this People’s Partnership government”.
I’m sorry, I don’t get the sense from blogs, call-in shows or from speaking with my friends that African or Afro-Trinidadians are ‘afraid’ of anything, least of all “racist” Indians. Afro-Trinidadians are more than capable of defending their interests, usually under less than ideal circumstances and I won’t cite the numerous historal and modern-day references in support of my point. We will be just fine thank you!!
Dawn a dashiki daily and stick a bone through your nose if you want to.
Thanks Curtis, after you have enjoyed your Callaloo or your ‘Jalloff Rice’ (you might call it ‘Pilau’) and played your ‘Trinidad is the Land of Calypso’ songs.. I guess you are in that patriotic Trini mood this Sunday afternoon, ehh?
Go ahead.. Enjoy yuh evening.
There will be no leaves, trees or branches without the roots..
Some of my roots are deep in Trinidad and Tobago on their way back to the mother land. I am aware of that and my family is proud of our heritage and we accept the good with the bad. It is important to know how we got to where we are and we should never forget. But we cannot live like we are somewhere other than here. Here is where we must live together and accept individuals based on what they bring to the table rather than for some link to a continent or country that our ancestors come from. We have to live with the realities of now and that is Trinidad and Tobago.
I have had my fill of Jallof Rice by the way. My Liberian friends are good cooks.
Jim; “You know the thing they call “Sou, Sou,” money. It is local form or lending or giving a person a short-term loan, Indians also use this credit system.”
See Curtis, Jim is the perfect victim of this plot. In all his Indian jubilance, he failed to acknowledge that ‘Sou Sou’ is an African banking system brought to T&T by way of the slave trade.
I think you need to face up to the reality that African culture has shaped what we call ‘Trinbagonian’ today.. It is not a threat to your idea of a more perfect society, but rather a BLESSING.
Now, a question for you… What can ‘Hinduism’ bring to the table for this dream of a more harmonious society?
You are barking up the wrong tree… The problem is not with the AFRICANS..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WriO0at6kBw
I never stated that the problem was with Africans or Indians but rather how they self identify in TNT and the toxic environment that it creates when such self identification extracts from social cohesiveness.
I say take the best from both cultures but also acknowledge the differences in your daily norms from what daily norms from abroad.
It’s just an opinion.
Heru, thanks for a well-thought and balanced article. Most political blogs spend a lot of time in spewing racial and cultural hatred based on Indianese or Africanese. This fear lies rooted in our psyche and usually comes out in words like ‘balanced’, ‘equity’, ‘majority’, ‘multiculturalism’,’minority’,’is we time now’, ‘racist’,’nigger’,’coolie’, ‘African’, ‘Indian’ etc. These and many other words describe our fear of the other gaining (mainly) political power over the other. Naturally, with the inclusiopn of cabionet ministers like Gopeesingh, Rambachan, Ramlogan who have in the past uttered words that were coloured with racial innuendos people will become more sensitive to the backlash (real or imagined). The ‘elevation’ of Sat Maharaj’s presence in voicing and gaining what appears to be ‘Kamla’s ear’ does not help these fears also. The People’s Partnership have a great opportunity to show and convince all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago that under their governance there is no reason for one to worry about racism or cultural elitism. Most people applaud the make up of the cabinet and are willing to see where we are being taken by this new government. If they deliver on a non-racial theme and treat all citizens with respect and work to eradicate ignorance in our society then they are well set to remain in power for a while but if they fail we will definitely return to our tribal ways and the words ‘African’ and ‘Indian’ will forever haunt us to the point where we may never aspire to be real Trinidadians.
to put it simply, the real racist are the ones that write such arrogant racist columns, perpetration that Indians are racist,, Indians are not the enemy of africans , africans are there own enemy by their backward thinking, believing that everyone is out to get them.
Certainly this is not the real issue,the real problem is most africans want handouts from anyone and and when not given they cry racism.
Its about time this type of thinking is left by the way side, and people move forward. No need to feel discriminated against.
The true enemy of africans are the their clan members
Whilst I`m all for unity and equality of the races, it does not take a rocket scientist to see what is being played out now,some of the afro Trinidadians in this country can stick their heads in the sand like the noble ostrich and act as if all is well..
I have news for them, leopard dont change their spots, just be still, watch carefully what`s happening around you and it will all be revealed to you in time, what`s in a man or woman`s heart
always comes to the fore in time, you cannot hide what you truly are forever, Bob Marley said you can`t fool all the people all the time…
Here endeth…
KingofKings…
Weren’t all people in TNT getting manipulated by the PNM? The PNM and Patrick Manning were spending lavishly on things that the country didn’t need or could have used the money more efficiently. That hurt everyone including African Trinbagonians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plz0vb2Qczo&feature=player_embedded
Rise up ye mighty people, and lead once more. You are the byproducts of real kings and queens. A more savage race have tried ,and failed to run you underground, but you instead survived with your mental faculties intact ,choose to remained strong, and full of dignity.
In this country ,mostly ungrateful,and selfish others, who mistakenly sees themselves as culturally superior ,and more noble,have benefited from your free labor , and unending sacrifices in the interest of this nation since independence, but this too shall end.
Today , the skewed reactions, as played out on this forum , by a misguided few in the aftermath of a progressive voting electorate ,that supported a self proclaimed change mantra, is a clear indication, as to what you are up against moving forward. I say enough.
It is time to organize, and educate the sleeping amongst you, pool resources, so as to reshape the agenda of a country that your ancestors died in service of and received so little – even in acknowledgement, much less compensations, in return.
Rise up ye mighty people. This land belongs to you as well, even if many would not have known it ,due in great measure to the efforts of a clueless, neo colonial elite ,that allowed themselves to be manipulated , first by Europeans, then their descendants, and today a very conniving , and insecure segment of our society,hellbent on planting the seeds of their ghastly , and destructive cultural ,predilections in our country as a matter of policy, so as to continually maintain economic power ,as well as political power-moving forward.
Stay informed , and vigilant, and I admonish you to know your enemies! I wish you well, and much luv.
Very good article.well thought out.It is not meant to be racist,it is facts which we tend to ignore if we are to correct this situation we better face it head on.It it definitely inour face.The stories about the Trini girl in England and the Trini in Washington happens all the time.The danger in this whole situation is that the indians feel that they must still hold alligence to India and not Trinidad and Tobago.I like George”s response.Unless we decide to be Trinis(Trinidad and Tobago)the racial devide will continue to exists.Come on people see it as it is.We better understand that Jack Warner is not UNC or PNM. Jack is a businessman.H cannot suceed with his strategies undre the PNM so he aligned himself with the UNC. Jack the Indians are not that stupid,they know that you are useful to them.Even as we speak their are plans to bring you down,you simply cannot have that amount of power in that organisation.
African people simply do not understand Indians as is evident in the afore-mentioned comment. The problem is this tribalism. Indians do not carry the weight of tribalism around their shoulders, hence African people need not be afraid of the People’s Partnership. The reason for this is quite simple. Indians come in all shades. The madrass Indians are black and curly hair and yet they are as Indian the white green eyed Indians living in the northern India.
One of my aunt and an uncle are black as any black person the only difference is their hair. The point I am making is that Indians are not saddled with racism as black people are. If you look at the People’s Partnership some of the biggest porfolios when to non-Indians. Defence, works, labour, health, sports are amongst the biggest spending portfolios. This is because Indians strongly believe in the culture of inclusion…. I would say give the PP a fair chance and don’t allow your prejudices to build these unnecessary walls.
Hello, George, I do not need the chill pill; I seriously think you should take one of those chill pills. Maybe, you will see the light and learn something. I am forwarding answers to your two questions:
1. How Indians became an economic force under an oppressive PNM?
2. How Indian became a majority in TT under oppressive conditions?
You speak of a gift of radio station 98.1 FM to the Indians. Nothing was gifted or came easily to the Indians in Trinidad under PNM. What ever they got, is it by the sweat of their brows. They had to fight for it.
If the PNM was so generous, how come the Hindus were deprived of a radio license for 7- 8 years by Manning even while licenses were being given to others? The Hindus had to file a case, asking the Privy Council or court in England to examine their case. The judgment handed down, said that the PNM government was prejudice, and discriminatory in carry out its action of not granting a license. It is a judge in Trinidad, who finally passed judgment forcing the government hands; telling Manning that the PNM government must obey the laws and give the Hindus a license for the radio station. I do not want to waste time pointing out the wrongs extended to Indians.
You see George Indians are like the cactus plants or the palm trees, which grown in the desert/ wasteland areas under very harsh conditions. There is a scorching sun, little water, plenty of dust, strong winds, and extremely cold nights, yet these plants keep thriving. Indians are like these plants, they are resilient, and they thrive under adverse conditions. The more you try to keep them down, or knock them down, or try to block their ways, the more they will be coming back at you. You wonder why Indians become an economic force, while you / others were drinking beers and liming, the Indians were working very hard to better their lives. They were in the sugar cane fields and on the agricultural lands working. Indians were on the cocoa and coffee lands working. They were at the markets working as vendors; they were by the road side selling products. They were also operating little corner stores, or shops or raising live stocks. They were trying to earn a living and save some of their money. When government offered them no jobs, they created businesses with whatever they had. Those who could manage loans, borrowed small amounts from banks or money lenders. You know the thing they call “Sou, Sou,” money. It is local form or lending or giving a person a short-term loan, Indians also use this credit system.
Even under an oppressive PNM government the Indians learned to survive. They took on the racism, prejudice, discrimination and lack of opportunities extended to them, they struggled but they survived. Indians created their own opportunities. They continue to build up themselves. PNM did not give the Indians millions of dollars. What ever they have today, they work very hard for that wealth. That’s how they become an economic force.
As for the PP majority, if you are talking about the new government, the People Party has a dynamic and intelligent Indian leader (Kamla), who charted a new dream and a new way forward for the people. Not only Indians join hands with Kamla but people of all different races including blacks, who saw a new beginning. Maybe you did not see the love for this lady, Kamal; the day she was being sworn in, quite a number of blacks /Afro- Trinis came to see her and stood waiting out side the place where the ceremony was taking place. The blacks/Afro-Trinidadians when interview by reporters and asked what they were doing there, they replied they came to see their leader, Kamla. Mind you they had one huge picture of Kamla. That’s the love. They were giving their love to an Indian leader. Wake up man, step out of your negative and PNN racist mentality and hate. Time to change.
If you are referring to a majority in the population and still wondering how Indians became a majority. Well, the Indians did not want to die out, so they think how best to survive, they raise their children and themselves on basic things. They eat less and save some. Mind you there were no golden opportunities for them under the PNM government. As time went on, their off springs lived to survive and survived to live another day. And the Indian population grew. That’s the simple version of a majority in the population.
Imagine today, many people still do not understand the difference between race and nationality and believe that one negates the other. Let’s see who can help explain this?
Injury worry
Black recalled how he and his two team-mates were set about by four men after remonstrating with them for smashing bottles in the road.
The three cricketers tried to flee but the fast bowler was knocked down and beaten with a wooden implement.
Black needed 10 stitches in his head and suffered other cuts and bruises.
He also aggravated a shoulder injury which could keep him out of the first Test against South Africa, which starts on 9 March.
“It was really unfortunate, Black said.
“I think they might have mistaken us for African people.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/1165603.stm
What do you mean by,” and believe that one negates the other?” Most countries have many races or minority groups. Whites born in South Africa are White and they are South Africans, but they are not African racially speaking. A European (white person) born in China is Chinese by nationality, but a European racially speaking. The question is who are they loyal to, their nation or tribe. In the U.S., most Irish Americans pledge allegiance to the U.S. and acknowledge daily their Irish ancestry. However, to say that they are Irish over American would probably be inaccurate.
Most immigrant groups in the United States conformed or assimilated to a social norm of patriotism throughout the states until recent decades, but who says that they are the example that TNT should follow?
Most Black/African Americans (the descendents of the transatlantic slave trade in the 13 colonies and eventual U.S.) when asked will tell you that they are Black, and that they are American. Domestic issues concerning the community most groups think in terms of racial, religious, or ethnic group. When it comes to patriotism most think in terms of nation first.
In TNT, it seems currently that most people try to prove how in touch with their ancestry they are over their current existence as a Trinbagonian. Nothing will ever be accomplished with that train of thought.
Thats my attempt to help explain the difference between Nationality and race.
What do you mean by, “and believe that one negates the other?”
When people say they are African or Indian, some people react as if race is somehow incompatible with nationality.
We commonly hear people say that someone is not an African – they are a Trinidadian. Similarly, as you pointed out, one’s race does not deny one’s nationality. One could be Asian, Indian, African, European by race and Trinidadian by nationality.
Trini-Africans are not accepted as real African by our Africa-African, and Trini-Indian is not acceptable real by India-Indian what are you all point (Try studying in an Internationational University you would find out when it is group sessions). So stop the nonsense ‘daah’ we all are Trinbagonian. LOL
There is confusion among many people across all cultures about race. And, it would not be correct to presuppose that continentals (Indians and Africans) are somehow more knowledgeable on these matters just because they live on the continent. Africa and India were also colonized, and as a result, had to learn how to deal with racism and the concept of race just like everyone else.
Below is an extract from Bukka Rennie’s article, “The Lyrics and The Licks: Re-Brand the PNM!” which you read and commented on. While my own definition is somewhat different I think his point of view is worth considering.
there was a time when christains observed the month of Lent.
Nobody worked on Sunday.
What about the DLP?
I love creole food real bad oui.
When you talk about power you forgot to write of the syrians elites.
We are all mixed not African, Indian of other. We lack a sense of identity and common history. I have been asked in the last 10 years in the streets of Trinidad, where am I from.
My father is mixed African and French my mother Carib, Spanish and Portuguese. My Grand mother was mixed Spanish and Carib while my grandfather was Portuguese mixed.
I find my Identity in my African Spanish and Carib roots…I am a Trinidadian….I love my land and my people of varied races , colour and religious practices. Fortunately I have not been given a choice.
However that is what I think we all are but to afraid to cling to this small land and its variance as vital because we then feel to vulnerable but this difference is what makes us great.
We need symbols of nationhood and places of historic pride plus a promotion of our mixed values and customs so that as a people we could be united.
What are we all fussing about, after all, “the Queen is Indian, Prince Charles is African.”
I saw it on youtube, so it has to be true. 😉 🙂 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsM6AMmL_XU
With that example of integration from the Head of Commonwealth, why are we debating?
It is nice to hear talk of nationalistic tone.This is what Trinidad and Tobago should be about.We are not Africans,we are not indians we are not chinese,we are not Syrians etc.We are all one people,Trinidadian and Tobagonians.I think somebody should have the courage and attempt to cut the crap of Indian arrival Day and Emanciapation Day. We should have one day, and that should be Trinidad and Tobago Day.We are going to stay under develop if we continue to show allegience to Africa and India etc.We have to bo one people.Remember our Father of the nation”There can be no Mother Indian for those fore paremts who came from India ,or Africa.China,syria,Portugal or otherwise.There is only one mother and that is mother Trinidad and Tobago”Try this ,we will be proud of our maturity.GOD BLESS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
Here are race and nationality definitions for general consideration:
NATIONALITY
Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state. Nationality can be acquired by being born within the jurisdiction of a state, by inheriting it from parents, or by a process of naturalization.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality
RACE
Race is the categorization of people into populations or ancestral groups on the basis of various sets of heritable characteristics. The physical features commonly seen as indicating race are salient visual traits such as skin color, cranial or facial features and hair texture.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_%28classification_of_human_beings%29
Wikipedia heru, really?
Anyway, from an anthropological stand point there are only three (3) racial grouping for which all human fall into. In any case it is simply a social construct developed by the Europeans to “scientifically” claim superiority as all this categorization by early physical anthropologists were done solely based on physical attributes which they believed to have predominately genetic determinations. However, the concept of race in the human species has now become totally discredited and obsolete with the cracking of the human genome and modern evolutionary biology. Instead of physical race, anthropologists are now talking in terms of geographical race, as it is clear now, that physical features are more determined by geography than anything else. In general, most people still think of race in the archaic sense that the early europeans created it to be. Hence, we still have the feeling of one race being “scientifically” superior to the other.
Lastly, what I think is being discussed here is the distinction between race and ethnicity, not necessarily nationality.
I agree with those two definitions that I quoted and I have credited where I copied the text from.
Here are another definitions for consideration.
I disagree with your assertion that “the concept of race in the human species has now become totally discredited and obsolete.” What in fact has been discredited is the racist idea that people are either inherently superior or inferior based on groups of people’s major observable physical characteristics (race).
Scientists have not discredited the fact that, in the human specie, groups of people have major observable physical characteristics that, for the most part, reflect their evolutionary history.
In my view, race is not static: it is fluid. As humans continue to evolve and groups of people develop unique physical characteristics, then people’s idea of race will also have to evolve.
You said:
Lastly, what I think is being discussed here is the distinction between race and ethnicity, not necessarily nationality.
If people are trying to make a distinction between race and ethnicity then I would suggest they get the meaning of ethnicity. Race and nationality are also ethnic groupings.
For the most part, what you said about race above is essentially what I said. I should clarify my assertion, though. The archaic model of race posited that there was some major genetic difference within the human genome that explained the physical attributes that distinguished the inherent differences (superiority, etc) between the perceived racial groups. This model was based on “nature,” that is, the genotypes is completely responsible for the perceived differences and each specific racial group has its own specific genotype.
Instead, we now know that all humans share the same genes (genotypes) and each have different ways of being expressed (phenotypes). How it is expressed is very much dependent on “nature” as well as on nurture (environment). And, nurture, plays a much bigger role in how racial phenotypes are expressed than previously thought. Thus, we now think of races in terms of geography, i.e, geographical races. It is no coincidence then, that the darkest people are found at the equator and skin color gradually becomes lighter as we radiate further away from the equator (I use skin color because this is probably the most distinguishable racial feature to most people).
Anyway, what I asserting is that most people still ascribe to the old concept of race. This is why we still have people saying thing like Indians smarter than creoles and vice versa. I still hold that the concept of race has become discredited and obsolete in the modern world given the body of evidence. (See here: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jonmorro/race.html)
Now, on to what I said regarding race vs ethnicity. Now, you can correct me if I’m wrong, but I see race as typically classified along physical lines. While, ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another. Ethnicity may or may not include race and nationality. Nationality is simply the membership of one in a nation/ sovereign state. Now, each of these concept can be mutually inclusive or be mutually exclusive of each other. For instance, someone born in Trinidad who migrates to the US and becomes a naturalized citizen may choose to identify his nationality as American, but ethnically identify as Trinidadian while being of the negroid race. On the other hand, someone born and raised in India will have the same ethnic/national/racial identity (yes their are different ethnic groups in India but for the sake of parsimony grant me this example). Now, if you agree with this assessment, I will say that in Trinidad and Tobago we have two major racial groupings, one nationality and several ethnic groups. These ethnic groups seem to be divided along religious lines for the most part (I think the fear Africans hold towards Indians is mostly directed to the Hindu groups and I think the Hindu groups has made it abundantly clear that they are separate from the whole.) Therefore, the tensions that we see between these groups seem to me to occur along ethnic lines. Lastly, I will agree with you also, that there is some unfounded nationalistic tensions, as some groups seem to hold allegiances to India and “Africa” moreso than Trinidad and Tobago.
You have one black man in a leadership alliance that is 99% Indian, and they waxing about nationalism. This is what Indians mean when they talk about intergration. They mean one token negro out front to excite the excitable and obtuse, while they control the vast majority of power. Give me a break!!
Racial prejudice has nothing to do with the biological facts of human connections. Racial prejudice is a product of religious and cultural belief systems that either teach superiority based on physical differences, or are interpreted thus by a majority. If you wish to investigate the origin and reasons behind racial prejudice examine the groups ideologued along these lines.
Okay! Therefor you are saying that this party is racial? Or the Indians are racial? Therefore Indians are not as open as the people of african origin? And one group feels it is better than the other?
To: keeping it realer
June 16, 2010 at 4:28 pm
RACE – Etymology
As an addendum to the above: If we look at the Arabic root word “ra”, which some claim is the root of the word race, I see another similarity. ‘Ra’ could have been derived from the African-Egyptian Ra, which signifies head in the Egyptian pantheon. So here is possible evidence that the word race had its conceptual origin in Africa. Because of where Egypt is situated, the ancient Egyptians were, very early on, aware of several groups of people who looked different from them. Also, in the Egyptian “Book of Gates” there were four racial classifications based on the people that they interacted with. So, in other words, although not ascribing the word ‘race’ to describe the differences in people, as evidenced by some hieroglyphics, they recognized different races that lived around them, particularly in the northern regions.
During slavery, Whites were using the term ‘race’ in the same way – to differentiate among the different human groupings – but this time they were claiming inferiority and superiority based on these differences. The idea of one group of people being superior to another has been bandied about throughout history, even before the word race was used to describe physical differences. In fact, as recently as two centuries before the 19th century pseudo-scientific theories of race and its connection with superiority and inferiority emerged, there were arguments among ethnic groups in Europe about who was superior and inferior and who thus had the right to lead or the right to land among other things. So there is evidence that concepts about inferiority and superiority were on the minds of enslavers, as indeed others, based on differences such as region, gender, nation and other factors. It is not that one’s race or sex or nationality is the problem – these differences would always be as long as humanity exists. The real issue is people’s prejudices. So to dismiss the word ‘race’ or racial classifications such as African and Indian and claim that they are irrelevant is not only inaccurate, but it does not stop people from being different along the same lines as defined by race; neither does it negate the hate or distrust based on observable phenotype.
The reason some modern anthropologists had problems dealing with racial classification annexed to ideas of inferiority and superiority was because they were not finding evidence to support these claims based on racial classifications. The fact that a small portion of our genes account for these physical differences led some to claim race is insignificant. They were not making an argument for dealing with the social ramifications of racism, which they confused with race. In other words, what they were discounting was the false science that was developed to claim inferiority and superiority based on race. The fact that many people still ascribe to White supremacist concepts annexed to race only means they are uninformed.
The meaning of race in itself is not discredited. If anything else it is even more relevant today as a point to start addressing racism. One cannot address racism without referring to race and addressing its effects on people.
About Race and Ethnicity:
The dynamics of ethnicity are broad. Ethnicity is not a specific label; it is a general term for a broad rage of differences. For example, Indian, African, Orisa, Shango, Christianity, Hindu, PNM, and UNC are all ethnic groups. People often share many ethnicities and not just one, so to just use ‘ethnicity’ as a label is being too general when addressing specific issues. (By the way, I do not accept the term “negroid” as a racial classification. Others can if they want). If I am addressing issues relating to race then I will have to use the word ‘race’ and not ‘ethnicity’ to be specific about what I am addressing.
Let me quote you here:
Here is why I will disagree with you on this. My point may appear to be minor but, in my view, it speaks to the general misunderstanding many people have about the meaning of ethnicity. I would have said:
‘In Trinidad and Tobago we have two major racial groupings, one nationality and several OTHER ethnic groups.’ I would include “other” in that statement because race and nationality are also ethnic groups.
Your last point about there being “unfounded nationalistic tensions” based on some holding “allegiance to India and ‘Africa’ moreso than Trinidad and Tobago,” is not a valid reason to dismiss such allegiances. In fact, the conditions under which races evolved points to important aspects of our history and culture that are often neglected in favour of preaching colorblindness and assimilation. Embracing or rejecting one’s ancestral homeland can pave the way for more discussions, feelings of pride and unity or to tensions and disunity. However, a true historical search can point the way to the commonality of all, which, by the way, still does not negate the validity of identifying with one’s place of racial origin.
Being of different races and recognizing such does not mean that people of different races cannot work together, or fraternize, or even be intimate with one other. The problem is racism which means that people act in negative ways against themselves and others based on negative assumptions about people’s race. Also, based on our unpleasant historical past, and indeed some of the struggles of the present, it is quite understandable that some people reject allegiance to their nationality. And even those who claim to love country first, that is, the country in which they were born, can still harbour very divisive and racist thoughts and act in ugly ways. Still, the holding of allegiances to different countries of origin is not what is negative: arrogance is.
Thank you very much for making this clear to me. I therefore hope that equality be legislated so we could all feel a part of Trinidad and Tobago. We need to feel equal and I guess we do not so we squabble over our feelings of inequality by looking at race or sex.
I think if we felt protected by our constitution and law we could then be able to move on and truly develop as a nation.
We can not appreciate who we are ,as a nation, if we do not have a feeling of belonging.
Ludger my brother,your suggestion though possibly laudible,and well intentioned ,is however misplaced.
It is virtually impossible to legislate everything-especially morality.Every civilize race on earth,shaped by a non pagan spiritual belief system,support the notion that one should love one’s bother or sister as oneself.
Who do you think should enforce a law of this nature that you propose ? In the wider historical context,what could have saved billions of Africans ,yellow,and brown people from white Christian colonial / neo imperial ,and ideological savages, from1492 to present? Do you think the UN perhaps had the means to prevent 800,000 Tutsi from being hacked to death,or ID big dada Amin from kicking out thousands of Ugandan Indians fellow citizens he viewed as insular ,non patriotic,economic blood sucking leeches?Today we celebrate the South African World Cup,and phony reconciliation ideals ,as attempted in that country ,and that may be fa good thing some say. However, whites,and coloured Indians anti African collaborators, are still living the good life,chiefly at the expense of Bantu,kinky head folks, they both treated as gabbage for decades,with no real remorse,since to them these fellow sentient beings are sub humans in their respective eyes.Think a law should be made to have them in 2010 develop a conscience,and share some of the economic spoils,before another Mugabe ,Amin ,Quadaffi,or worst emerge from the trenches ,and take it all ?
Since independence,more peoplle have been murdered through inter tribal rivalries in Southern Asia ,led by India,Pakistan,and Sri lanka, as well as the Middle East,and Latin America .The accumulated deaths can rival the two European tribal wars,including American genocidal nuclear bombs forays, in Japan ,all put together.
You might not know it,but internationals laws were put in place to prevent such barbaric follies,but you know the results ,unless you just turned 16 yesterday.
I say all this to tell you,your seemingly over zealous new government,and now more humbled Opposition-do the right thing in your hearts for the other,while also loving your selves,both as individuals ,and wider tribe. By so doing guess what? Yes,we would have a much better T&T.Failure so to do,and rest assured,we would have to live with the consequential fallouts in this blessed land.
Hopefully you would remember this conversation 5,10,15,or 20 years hence,when something hits the fan.To be forwarned ,is to be forearmed people.Keep the faith my brother,or is it sister?These gender bending ,fake names ,always confuses me. Ludger.As for me,I am a plain talking ,straight up gun slinger,and what you see here is the real deal.
Love country,and Ludger,tell the head socio -economic ,com political head gurus for me the following;-‘never refuse to give a wing to a man who gave you the chicken.’
Don’t worry ,they’ll know where we coming from.
History shows that it’s very difficult to push a sustainable long term agenda in one term.
Following and enforcing the laws are important. What is equally important is judicial judgment. There must be equal time for equal crime. In many cases, cultural norms may be the challenge in finding common ground and perspective. That’s why sometimes the laws have to be supported by all sub-groups. The belief that it is best for the country is something that could glue the nation together, but it could also pull it apart if “what is good for the nation” is a one sided viewpoint.
Catch the wave…Record number of Indian-Americans seeking office, according to AP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100619/ap_on_re_us/us_indian_american_politicians
Meet Reshma, Surya, Manan, Raj, Ami, Ravi, Nimrata and Kamala — a new wave of Indian-American politicians. At least eight children of Indian immigrants are running for Congress or statewide office, the most ever. The star of this trend is Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa, who is favored to win the election for governor of South Carolina. See Link for the rest of the story.
Okay! Therefor you are saying that this party is racial? Or the Indians are racial? Therefore Indians are not as open as the people of african origin? And one group feels it is better than the other?
If Kamla was keisha, and the majority of the party comported with that trend it would be perceived as racial because of the startling imbalance in proportionality. That is the problem with you guys. Your cockeyed interpretation of fairness and balance fluctuates based on ethnicity. There is now way the Indians who are hugging themselves and exclaiming about races coming together would accept that proportionality as represantative of that description if the ethnic power equation was reversed. I refuse to cock my eye in order to satify yours and any other skewed concept of inclusivity.
There is a frighteningly insidious implication to what is taking place here. In effect, we are being told that a predominant indian power majority is the best thing for T&T. I will remain as the little boy in Hans Christian Andersons Tale of the vain Emperor and resoundingly assert that this metapohorical one is just as naked.