By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
October 2, 2017
Like the Prime Minister, I want to tell the naysayers against his proposal to house our Dominican brothers and sisters to shut up but for different reasons. I couldn’t see how decent men could speak of our neighbors as though they were aliens (“refugees”) who have no place in our land.
Dominicans ain’t no now come. They have participated in the making of this society. In 1814 there were 25,717 enslaved Africans in the island. Between 1813 and 1821 Trinidad received 3,800 enslaved Africans “of whom nearly 1,100 came from Dominica and nearly 1,200 from Grenada” (Eric Williams, History of the People of Trinidad and Tobago).
In 1824 Dominicans were about 5 percent of Trinidad’s African population and roughly about 2.6 percent of our overall population. In today’s terms, this is about 34,000 people, or 45 percent of Dominica’s present population.
In 1814 Sir Ralph Woodford offered the following rationale for bringing East Indians to Trinidad: “The cultivators of Hindostan are known to be peaceful and industrious. An extensive introduction of that class of people accustomed to live on the produce of their own labour only, and totally withdrawn from African connections or feelings, would probably be the best experiment for the population of the island.”
Dr. Williams pointed out: “The first suggestion that India might replace Africa as the source of labor in Trinidad involved the use of Indians not in a state of semi-servitude, working on the plantation for wages, but as small farmers cultivating their own land.”
Dominicans were here before the Indians arrived in 1845. They were among those who welcomed Indians when they arrived in those dark and desolate days. Common decency demands that all of us reciprocate this kindness during their time of need. Hindus use the term “nimakoram,” to describe people who turn their backs on those who have been kind to them.
Sat Maraj, Stephen Kangal and UNC leaders object to our opening our doors to Dominicans. Sat says, “We should be extending financial and other support to them rather than bringing in more refugees here because we have about 60,000 refugees already” (Newsday, September 23).
Kangal’s objection disguises itself as humanitarian generosity. He argues that this “unilateral decision taken by PM Rowley…to an unregulated influx of Hurricane Maria refugees from Dominica will have the effect of decimating and draining the much-needed current human resource capital of Dominica” (trinicenter.com).
How does providing shelter to those who choose to come to Trinidad result in decimating the people of Dominica?
He suggests we mount “a concerted T&T Humanitarian Rescue Mission” to “show our humane solidarity with them [Dominicans] rather than bringing them to T&T to exacerbate the current health, housing and education delivery debacles.”
How do we show “humane solidarity” when we do not even want Domincans in our land; when we prefer to leave them in Dominica to die?
Sending money to Dominicans to keep them in their island does not hide the racial motives behind these “generous” gifts that are being offered. In 2016 Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, conscious of the anti-immigrant and racist sentiments of her people and sensing she may have been in trouble politically, contributed £570 million (US $625 million) to the World Food Program (WPF) to support the refugees from Syria. Germany was “WPF’s second largest donor in this crisis following the United State (World Food Programme, February 4, 2016).
These monies were used to prevent Syrian refugees from going to Germany. It did not stop the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), from getting 13 percent of the votes cast in the recent election. Exulting in the election results, Alexander Gauland, one of AfD’s leaders, told his supporters: “We will go after them. We will claim back our country” (New York Times, September 24).
Sat, Kangal and UNC leaders displays of generosity hide sinister motives. The First Peoples said of their invaders: “Beware! They speak with ‘forked tongue.'” David Abdulah, leader of MSJ, was on target when, in responding to the naysayers’ remarks, he noted: “These statements are xenophobic. They are no different from President Trump and the white supremacists in the US talking about immigrants coming from Mexico or from Latin American countries, or the rightwing in Germany that just got 30 per cent of the votes” (Trinidad Guardian, September 26).
While UNC fumes that “no Opposition member has made any negative announcement on the issue” raised by the PM (Express, September 29) none has offered any positive comment either. Do they regard Dominicans as their brothers and sisters, worthy of lying beneath their roofs? Are they still committed to Governor Woodford’s proposition that Indians are “totally withdrawn from African connections or feelings?”
In Imagined Communities, Benedict Anderson defined a nation as “an imagined political community [or communities]” that are distinguished “by the style in which they are imagined.” I wonder if Sat, Kangal and/or UNC ever see Trinbagonians as part of a larger Caribbean community or do they always see us as Indians, Africans and/or Chinese existing in the same land? Do they ever see us an organic, non-racialized community?
The PM needs to keep on speaking out on this issue. Our survival as a nation depends on it.
In retrospect, i don’t blame the unlettered like Sat Maharaj and Stephen “paddock” Kangal for the Dominica hurricane debacle, my beef is with the uneducated and mis-educated Africans in Trinidad, the ones who called themselves “Trini to De bone”.These misguided so-called Trinidad Africans,have built a path way for the narratives of the UNC.As i have said in my earlier comments,Trinidad blacks are ashamed of their connection with the small islands, “they come by boat”, but did not all of the caribbean peoples come by boat? the uncanny thing in this discourse, is that a statement has not been made by the woman leader of the UNC, but she saw it fit to dress African when the occasion arises, and refuses to share the load of the unfortunate.In every caribbean unity discourse,so-called Indians from Trinidad, put themselves in place to make contributions, that only comes across as deceit, their aim? seeking access to a platform, physically weak snakes lurking in the bushes, as they continue to trust their wealth,in most cases ill gained,their impaired darkness covers the whole nation.They do not see us as a nation,the national flag of India is portrayed both in vehicles and homes, in time to come, we will have to asked what have been their true contribution to nation building, vis-a-vis corruption in every aspect,with the exception of cast aside Basdeo Panday,how many are able to do anything of relevance on the international stage? how many Indian athletes have bring joy to this here Trinidad? with all the winning of national scholarships,how many have continued to be true intellectuals of repute? yes mediocre people willing to pay for their degrees and cheat as they continue upwards in life successes, while staying closely knit as a cabal, “who you are in the valley,is who you are” Indians in Trinidad have their very own agenda, and it does not encompass the Africans, this have been well documented, while they wish for the opportunity to ethnic cleanse, the island is to small and multi ethnical to embark on what they have always conceived.The wealth achieve in Trinidad would never have been tolerated in India, the caste system would surely be an impediment, LEARN YOUR HISTORY.THE LIPS OF WISDOM ARE CLASED, EXEPT TO THE EARS OF UNDERSTANDING.
“Do they ever see us an organic, non-racialized community?”
That is the million dollar question Dr. Cudjoe. Evident by its disastrous outcome, hurricane devoured Dominica and Puerto Rico.
It left the residents of these two countries homeless and desperate. Both peoples are in dire need of help and sympathy but in the national discourse in this country, while the majority of us sympathize and want to help, a minority, namely hindus are vociferous in their opposition to the Prime Minister’s call to help the Dominicans seeking shelter in Trinidad. Their view is plain and simple, they do not see the Dominicans as part of their community. They even call them refugees. Refugees? the dictionary describes the word ‘refugee’ as one who is forced to seek refuge from war, persecution or natural disaster. It is hardly a term used for people who have been displaced in this manner as is experienced by the Dominicans.
A pertinent question to ask these nay sayers is, what if Trinidad becomes a casualty in one of these hurricanes and you are displaced, would you want to be helped by Dominica or any other Caribbean country? Most surely these hindus might rather change the question to mean something else, than answer such a relevant question. From a purely human nature perspective, when one is in trouble, where the benevolence comes from does not really matter, they will accept it. So, why are hindus so much against the acceptance of Dominicans into this country? The best answer one can come up with is that they envision that the Dominicans don’t look like them. Plain and simple!!!. The hindus are afraid of what they believe the PNM stands to gain by allowing them into this c country. Plain and simple.
For now, they are not concerned that we too might suffer the same fate as Dominica, because we have not yet been such victims. But as long as they see us not being affected they (hindus) will fuss and cuss, if we allow our Caribbean brothers and sisters into Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, if they are from Guyana or Suriname I don’t think they have any objections, because they know many of them will look like them. So, do they see us as an organic, non-racialize society? We might find answers to this question in how they represent Trinidad and Tobago in matters, not pertaining to business acumen or private financial gains. How do they represent us internationally? Do they participate in anything that will enhance the name of Trinidad and Tobago and not themselves? This brings to light the questions of allegiance, benevolence and patriotism. How do they fare in these areas?
I am not sure that if they are viewed from this perspective they would appear to be good nationalists. Being part of a non-racialized society is nothing that they have championed. They have always prided themselves as being different and distinct from us, but they have also used numbers to their advantage wherever and whenever they can.
Excerpts from Mamoo, TMan, Kangal, Kamla, Sat and others give a definite perspective in terms of where they stand as a community
(exclusive of the non-Indian population). It is where they feel comfortable, comforted, in wealth and in strength, they are united.
I get nervous whenever I am lumped in with Sat, the Hindu fundamentalist. I do not support mass migration from Dominica for many excellent reasons already stated. Reread my post on Sept 24.
TMan
September 24, 2017 at 11:48 am
The dignified, human response is to trust and support the PM on this desperate issue, especially when children, the elderly and the disabled are involved.
I am disappointed in the selfish response if people like Sat Marajah who is supposed to be a religious leader.
When people are without food, shelter and water you do not focus on voters’ lists. You help in the many ways possible.
This was 2014 statistics over 130,000 undocumented people live in Trinidad. Today it would be more like a 150,000 with a large influx of Chinese citizens along with South Americans. Our open border policy to the Jamaicans would mean they presently exceed the Guyanese here.
illegal immigrants comes from Guyana—25,884; followed by Jamaica.
There are 19,500 Jamaicans living here illegally, while Venezuela has 40,574 illegal immigrants residing here. Next in line are people from St Vincent—9,606; Barbadians—7,169; Grenadians—6,947; Colombians—6,388; Chinese—4,593; Filipinos—4,437; St Lucians—4,391; Indians—3,651; Dominican Republic—2,256; Surinamese—1,944; Cubans—1,434; Nigerians—1,071; and Bangladeshis—167
To say that Trinidad is anti immigrant is a serious understatement. The facts bear out that 1 in 9 person living in Trinidad and Tobago is an illegal immigrant. If that trend continues over time one in every two person will be an illegal immigrant. With an open border policy to our Caribbean neighbours and huge problems in Venezuela along with vast number of Chinese arriving via cargo ships this nation is an immigrant magnate. Thieves, criminals and the homeless along with good people love TNT.
So how would it be wrong for citizens who are suffering everyday and seeing all kinds of schemes introduced to take more of their little money be not annoyed at the request to open their doors for more! The current administration does not have an effective immigration policy just an open border policy. An open border policy is the recipe for disaster. When people arrive here you have to feed them, clothes them, house them, find school placement for their children provide health care for them and their families. Most of all you have to find jobs for them. The Prime Minister estimates 2,000 will take up the offer to relocate to Trinidad. Does the nation have a resettlement plan given these tough economic times? Shouldn’t nationals by virtue of birth be afforded priority in these areas? Or is citizenship meaningless?
These are not heartless questions. There is no doubt the people in Dominica needs help but one look at how Trinis have responded and no one can point a finger and say nothing is being done. In fact the biggest response in the Caribbean has been from Trinis. Sending badges filled with containers for those in need. The Americans and Canadians are there helping to rebuild the nation. So to many other nations have joined in. As for these folks leaving their homes with blown away roofs to find life elsewhere it does not make sense when the roofs can be repaired and community restored. But that is their choice, people relocate all the time. I wish them the best. With over 130,000 illegals in trinidad and a dying economy…..I rest my case.
“Sending money to Dominicans to keep them in their island does not hide the racial motives behind these “generous” gifts that are being offered”
The injection into the debate of race, clouds the whole issue of what is good for the nation. By that logic all the people in India and Africa and all of the Caribbean who are suffering can come here. Trinidad is the place to come, grow and live.
It is a nonsensical debate and yields no good fruit!
There is a salient point that is totally absent from the discussions on the disaster caused by hurricane Maria, one ignores the fact that we too could also be the victims of severe hurricanes like Maria. Were that to happen here, what plans are put in place to evacuate? What plans are in store to store foods and shelter for those who suffer losses? What plans are in place for those who might need medical care? What plans are in place to being recovery? What plans are in place to guard essential locations? What plans are in place to restore security? What Plans????? What plans?????? etc etc.
To act as though we are immune from this type of destruction is foolish and unimaginative. Instead of talking about race and immigration and refugees, why can’t there be a discussion on how do we recover from such a disaster? It appears to me that such a discussion will be more fruitful and constructive than dwelling on The Prime Minister’s advice to help the Dominicans. A serious country will plan for the unexpected occasion when the normal becomes chaotic. What we see happening everyday is that when the unexpected occurs, there is no line of communications to address issues pertinent to the disaster. While it is OK to assume that we might need the Defense Force, Coast Guard or Police to perform certain functions, it is also essentials to have access to medical centers and rescue of medical personnel to man these centers. Communications is also an important issue to recovery. How do we go about notifying the population in an adhoc manner about what steps to take?
There is a waste of energy on how Indians feel about people being rescued here as a result of disasters. While each and everyone has a right to an opinion, I feel that emphasis on what Sat Maharaj says or feels should be subservient to what is truly needed to arrest a situation. I notice with interest the headline in one of our newspapers read: “Kamla: Bankrupt Budget”
this, even before the newspaper tells us what the budget entails. I believe that media has a huge role to play in our culture. How they do that is important. But our media is increasingly taking on the role of PR machines for political parties and that is evidently wrong.
We have to be beware of numbers, especially when they are self-serving and not meant to be constructive towards a well-meaning objective. We are a nation of many and there are those who are willing to encourage divisiveness in order to become relevant. We must resist the urge to become destructive and partisan in order to elevate opportunists that do not have the interest of the country at large in their purview.
Between 1830 and 1917 1,500,000 Indians signed up or were coerced or forced to migrate to European colonies. Many of the “coolies” were fleeing poverty and hunger, in search of a better life. The British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society described it in 1839 as “slavery under a different name”.
Jamaica 36,400 Guadeloupe 42,400 Martinique 25,700 Trinidad 143,900 Guyana 238,700
Suriname 34,000 French Guiana 8,200 South Africa 152,200 East Africa 39,400
Reunion 63,500 Mauritius 451,800 Fiji 56,000 Malaya 130,000.
Racial animus persists in most places that took indentured labourers. They were not openly welcomed by indigenous and former-slave populations. In some places the arrival of the Indians was a real trauma for both groups.
In Trinidad and Guyana “coolie” is used as a slur. In Fiji and the French Caribbean Indians are described as money-grubbing and “weak as a coolie”. In Fiji 10,000 Indo-Fijians were forced to leave after being displaced. In 1970 a Fijian politician said that people of Indian origin should be repatriated back to India. In 2014, a Zulu band, AmaCde called on Black South Africans to confront Indians and “send them home”.
In Uganda Indians were totally expelled. In other parts of East Africa they were confronted and pressured to leave. In Trinidad the power was passed to Afro-Trinidadians who were settled decades before the Indians arrived. Politics and the public sector operated under a patronage system which kept Afro-Trinidadians in charge. Indo-Trinidadians were largely excluded from government and public sector jobs.
Without analyzing cause and effect in any of these situations, it can objectively be stated that Indian communities felt pressured to turn inwards for self-preservation and self-protection. This reaction is alive and well even today, mainly within the Hindu communities which are now internationally linked by modern communications and media.
The reaction of some Indian leaders in Trinidad to open immigration and acceptance of what they perceive as thousands of Dominicans can be interpreted and understood as self preservation and self protection in the face of threats to their survival in the context of negative occurrences in countries where Indians reside.
TMAN, I want to commend you for making salient points in defense of your arguments. It is understandable and has merits in defense of the Indian attitude towards immigration.
Kian, modern communication today is playing a major role in linking Hindu communities all over the world. The revival and renewal of “Indian customs” in T&T; for example, clothing and language can be attributed to this connection.
Unfortunately, this revival is fostering more division rather than more unity.
*The reaction of some Indian leaders in Trinidad to open immigration and acceptance of what they perceive as thousands of Dominicans can be interpreted and understood as self preservation and self protection in the face of threats to their survival in the context of negative occurrences in countries where Indians reside.*
So what about the Fijians and the South/East African..
Is it not about ‘self preservation’ also, or are they ‘lesser humans’ in your view?
And whenever I can, I get a glimpse of ZeeTV.. Sometimes I ask myself, do Indians in TT ever watch the ‘African’ influences in their production, music, dance etc..
Maybe it’s Kim.. but seems like Big Bam-Bam is a hit also.
If all Africans went back to Africa will that erase the effects of salvery? I mean you will be back from whence you came. Psychologically, emotionally, and mentally there will be no past to blame, right Kian. Some did and returned to the Ivory Coast, it was a very emotional home coming. They established homes and businesses along the coast and today rekons that many Africans will return home to retire and enjoy their latter years. Something for you to consider Kian…
Hi Mamoo: There is a logical fallacy in your argument. It can be deduced from the philosophical principle called: Reduction ad Absurdum (reduce to absurdity). It is mode of argumentation or a form of argument in which the proposition is disproved by following its implication logically to an absurd conclusion. India has a billion people; Africa has a billion people. There is no way even 100,000 from each continent will ever land on our doorsteps. We are talking about societies which have less than 100,000 and no more than 5-10 percent are likely to come to our country. The charitable thing to do is to accept them to our shores at the time of need.
Yes it was a statement that will one day be the modus operandi of TNT. Given that Venezuela population is a little over 35 million. As my good friend said the beauty queens ah comin!
The whole stream of globalization and human movement cannot be viewed in small movements of people. TNT open border policy allows for the big and small nations access the resources of this nation. In south most of the businesses are Chinese own. So Doc I respectfully disagree with your point of view.
After Venezuela is the Columbians!
Indians were brought to many of these countries as scab labour, and in any situation like that, workers who are protesting poor working conditions and low wages would be resentful of such people. That is the reason Africans resented Indian Indentured labourers. But much of that started to change among poor Indians and Africans who shared food and had sexual relations. The colonizers had an answer for this ‘problem’.
Remember, one of the reasons they felt comfortable bringing Indians to these countries, besides cheap labour, was the reason Dr. Cudjoe reminded us of: “…and totally withdrawn from African connections or feelings, would probably be the best experiment for the population of the island.” They believed Indians would not bond with Africans so there was little likelihood of the two races joining forces to revolt. The reason they believe the races would not unite was based on the Caste system in Indian culture. Even the lowest caste Indian was taught to look down on Africans and uphold the light skin Aryan, Brahmanical structure.
To reinforce this Brahmin first, Aryan first, Caste attitude, which invariably favours white people, they encouraged Brahmin pundits and translators to these shores to help keep Indians under control and, of course, to help ensure little solidarity with Africans. The Caste system mentality of most Indians is the reason most do not empathise with Africans and generally favour White rule. Most Indians did not support Independence in the countries they entered as Indentured labourers because they did not want to live under African leadership.
In South African, Mahatma Gandhi’s racist campaign exemplified the problem. Let me quote an article from BBC, “Was Mahatma Gandhi a racist?” By Soutik Biswas, September 17, 2015:
In The South African Gandhi: Stretcher-Bearer of Empire, Desai and Vahed write that during his stay in Africa, Gandhi kept the Indian struggle “separate from that of Africans and coloureds even though the latter were also denied political rights on the basis of colour and could also lay claim to being British subjects”.
They write that Gandhi’s political strategies – fighting to repeal unjust laws or freedom of movement or trade – carved out an exclusivist Indian identity “that relied on him taking up ‘Indian’ issues in ways that cut Indians off from Africans, while his attitudes paralleled those of whites in the early years”. Gandhi, the authors write, was indifferent to the plight of the indentured, and believed that state power should remain in white hands, and called black Africans Kaffirs, a derogatory term, for a larger part of his stay in the country.
In 1893, Gandhi wrote to the Natal parliament saying that a “general belief seems to prevail in the Colony that the Indians are a little better, if at all, than savages or the Natives of Africa”.
In 1904, he wrote to a health officer in Johannesburg that the council “must withdraw Kaffirs” from an unsanitary slum called the “Coolie Location” where a large number of Africans lived alongside Indians. “About the mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians, I must confess I feel most strongly.”
The same year he wrote that unlike the African, the Indian had no “war-dances, nor does he drink Kaffir beer”. When Durban was hit by a plague in 1905, Gandhi wrote that the problem would persist as long as Indians and Africans were being “herded together indiscriminately at the hospital”.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34265882
This Caste system mentality which has always been reinforced by racist Indians in leadership positions, is the main reason Africans distrusted Indians wherever they settled. Africans should continue to be distrustful of Indians, especially Hindus.
Let me quote the article again:
“Gandhi believed in the Aryan brotherhood. This involved whites and Indians higher up than Africans on the civilised scale. To that extent he was a racist. To the extent that he wrote Africans out of history or was keen to join with whites in their subjugation he was a racist,” Ashwin Desai told me.
“To the extent that he accepted white minority power but was keen to be a junior partner, he was a racist. Thank God he did not succeed in this as we would have been culpable in the horrors of apartheid.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34265882
Oddly you would accuse Gandhi of racism, whilst ignoring the fact that the arphatheid system was not his doing.
He also spoke out against the caste system even calling the Dalits children of God.
But abused people see and invent enemies all the time without seeing their real enemies. Wake up man, Gandhi single handedly end British occupation of African nations.
Any wonder why Mamoo, does not get any respect?
There is enough information available that shows Gandhi was racist. But, my main point was to show how the Brahmin-Hindu, anti-African mindset works. This is at the core of disunity in Trinidad and Tobago and is the main reason the politics is not evolving and working for the best interest of everyone. Most Hindus remain anti-African because they consider Africans inferior to them, and Africans quite rightly distrust them.
Let me respond to some other points.
Yes, Gandhi spoke about the Caste System and the state of the Untouchables. He tried to relabel them Harijan, which some claim translates roughly as “Children of God”; but, others in India disagreed with this translation:
“Secretary of the State Social Welfare Department, Mr. Mimroth wrote, “You will appreciate that literal word of ‘Harijan’ is synonymous to illegitimate child of Devdasis in olden days…” This ‘insulting definition’ given by Mahatma Gandhi in the earlier days had been totally rejected and discarded by the followers of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, he pointed out.”
http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/28/stories/2003092802010500.htm
Also, according to Wikipedia:
“However the euphemism [Harijan] is now regarded as condescending by many, with some Dalit activists calling it insulting. As a result, the Government of India and several state governments forbid or discourage its use for official purposes.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harijan
“Use of word `Harijan’ objected”
http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/28/stories/2003092802010500.htm
JustRight, truer words could not be spoken when you said ” Most Hindus remain anti-African because they consider Africans inferior to them, and Africans quite rightly distrust them.”
This is at the heart of disunity and race relations in Trinidad. The sooner it is addressed and open to public debate and if possible, a meaningful subject to be addressed, the better for us all. The number one racist in Trinidad and Tobago, Sat Maharaj continues to stir and sustain racial animosity. The Indian politicians fail to address his animosity, they even pretend what he says is something dealing with his ‘religious’ beliefs. And so, by their silence, they actually condone what he is saying.
African people are not racists. I expect this comment to attract some level of fire towards me but it is true.
“African people are not racists” – Kian
I do believe that African people are racist. For the most part, the harmful effects of African racism are directed inwards: against other Africans, and especially against themselves. This is the result of the general ignorance of African history and the history of the other races of people. This is the big problem within the African community which robs many of confidence and creativity. This general ignorance contributes to the ease at which some Africans slaughter each other; ignorance of collective history robs people of empathy. The country is denied the benefit of innovations from a people who lack consciousness of themselves, even on a racial level. Too many simply view themselves as cheap labour for other people who despise them. Trinidad and Tobago is poorer for this.
On a similar note: the main thrust of Garveyism is relevant today and some the points were well made in the article “Garveyism more relevant today than ever”
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Garveyism-more-relevant-today-than-ever_17372084
In that sense you are totally correct. I have always maintained that we are own worst enemy.
But the failing comes mostly from the intellectual class.
If Africans spent more time on education than on playing the victim card and expecting everyone to pity them and give them a handout, you might reach up to the other races in society, there is a reason why Africans are the least progressive race in the world, I should not have to point this out.
Mamoo, are you crazy? which African nation, Ghandi single handily help end British occupation? India got their political independence in 1947, Ghana in 1957 what part did Ghandi played after long being assassinated? another thing, why do you respond to every comment without having your facts right? “JUSTRIGHT” published well documented history on the subject, and i’m positively sure that you are not aware of these mindsets of Ghandi. Remember he was on the verge of being expellded from SA, let the truth be told.
I will be as simple as I can because this board is getting scary with the low level of intelligence. After India gain independence a huge number of nations became independent also. It was the work of Gandhi that provided the model for that liberation!
Gandhi had an influence on some African nations’ struggle for independence, but the movement in Africa started around the 1920s with the Pan African movement. The Egyptian nonviolent campaign quite possibly influenced Gandhi.
A quote from “Egyptians campaign for independence, 1919-1922” states:
“…the Egyptian struggle for independence from 1919-1922 is hailed as the first nonviolent mass protest in the modern Middle East.
“The Egyptian campaign influenced the movement for India’s independence from Britain led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and also influenced the later revolution 1952 Egyptian revolution for full independence (though it was not peaceful).”
https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/egyptians-campaign-independence-1919-1922
Egypt is in Africa.
http://time.com/4505357/university-ghana-racist-gandhi-statue/
Mamoo,
These students may be inclined to disagree with your assessment of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. For me personally, Gandhi was a great man in terms of what he accomplished for his people.
However, there is evidence that points to the fact that he was very much a man of his time in terms of his attitude to people of African descent.
Always a debatable factor that has gain prominence over the years. Personally I see him as a transformative character whose ideas were shaped in South Africa. Yes there may have been ideas that appear to be anti black, but essentially at that time he was a nobody who was now starting out in law and learning to deal with the British who were the real racist. Due the the span of his life his formative years in South Africa cannot be the sum total of his thinking. As we all know we grow through our experiences.
Indeed he did grow upon returning to India and enduring imprisonment, fasting many times to stop the unfettered violence especially during partition.
His resistance to the British imperialist powers saw Indian independence become a reality. The results of that experience was a pathway to independence for many former British colonies. Along with that came the civil rights movements in America of which Martin Luther King used his ideas to end a very oppressive segregation system. Martin Luther King saw Gandhi as his hero. From all of that emerged Nelson Mandela a man who used those ideas in South Africa to bring about a peaceful end to Arphatheid.
One may say he was racist but in South Africa he was a young Indian lawyer using his legal training to fight for the rights of his people. In India he emerged not as a lawyer but as a liberator. There the mahatma was formed, not in SA.
The Profesor asked, Do They Ever See Us as a Nation?
I say yes Professor. Didn’t you look at Today’s Express?
Revenge!
Published on Oct 11, 2017, 8:12 am AST
By Ian Prescott Multimedia Desk
Revenge, it is said, is a dish best served cold.
Almost 28 years after the United States denied Trinidad and Tobago a World Cup berth with a 1-0 win in Port of Spain, on November 19, 1989, T&T beat the US 2-1 in their final Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifier at the Ato Boldon Stadium.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20171011/news/revenge
And
T&T puts a licking on the US…and social media is hilarious
Published on Oct 11, 2017, 10:39 am AST
By The Multimedia Desk
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20171011/news/tt-puts-a-licking-on-the-usand-social-media-was-hilarious
Wow… It’s hard to believe that just 2 weeks ago ‘they’ did not want Black people coming to seek refuge in T&T…
But today, “All ah we is Trini”, Ent?
Even if the Soccer Team looks like it is from somewhere in Africa, or, from The Hills of POS (BTW, allyuh how many of dem fellars are from the hood…stueppes).
But the real question is…
Can these youths ever access State Contracts in this country that they represent. Do they have access to UWI’s medical and Law schools? The stats show they (Afro-Trini) are under-represented there ..not because of qualifications but by what we saw played out after Maria in Dominica… Pure Racism.
So go ahead and pounce on the US Soccer team… At least they have Affirmative Action to help remedy these issues.
Trini, we like to MAMMAGUY…