By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
October 14, 2017
Last week I argued that there was something disingenuous about the suggestions put forward by Sat Maraj, Stephen Kangal and the UNC about sending money to Dominicans but making sure they did not enter our country. The UNC declaimed that none of its members said anything negative about the Prime Minister’s plan to bring Dominicans to T&T, but none of them had said anything positive about the plan, not even Rodney Charles or Wade Mark.
Hurricane Maria was as devastating to Dominica as it was to Puerto Rico and the island of Vieques. Eric Platt of the Financial Times, in an article entitled “Puerto Ricans Consider Departure,” reported on the damage Hurricane Maria did to Puerto Rico and Vieques and the necessity of relocating some of the affected people to the mainland. He reported: “As a coastguard vessel docked and began to unload emergency supplies, Ms. Navarro [a native of Vieques] was asked if the islanders wanted to stay and rebuild, or instead join an exodus of Puerto Ricans to the mainland. ‘Families who can send their kids to the States—who wouldn’t, with schools now closed here,’ she replied.”
“Economists and policymakers warn that the humanitarian crisis will accelerate a downward economic spiral and fuel a migration crisis that has already sapped Puerto Rico of more than 300,000 residents-nearly one in 10 of the population—since 2010” (October 2).
It is legitimate to suggest that Dominicans should stay and rebuild their island. However, to argue as Kangal does that “an unregulated influx of Hurricane Maria refugees from Dominica will have the effect of decimating and draining much-needed current human resource capital of Dominica” is going overboard.
When Kangal used the participle “decimating” to describe the consequences immigration will have on Dominicans, he did not take into consideration that the verb “decimate” denotes “destroying a large proportion of something” or, as some linguists suggest “to put do death or punish one of every ten” (Oxford Dictionaries). At the very least, he ought to be careful how he uses the English language.
In my article I suggested that the reluctance of the Indian-based UNC and its supporters to endorse the possibility of housing Dominicans—mostly Africans—under their roofs had more to do with the question of race than it had to do with any genuine feelings for Dominicans as Caribbean brothers and sisters.
I also questioned how the UNC interpreted “nationness” (as Benedict Anderson used the term) and how they conceived the nation state, a question I addressed at a Multiculturalism Conference that was sponsored by GOPIO on January 29, 2011 (see “Multiculturalism and Its Challenges in Trinidad and Tobago,” triniceneter.com March 9, 2011).
After Kamla won the national elections in 2011 she went to Maha Sabha headquarters and declared T&T would follow a national policy of multiculturalism. This demand was driven by her conviction that Hindu groups were not given as much funds as African groups and Sat’s fears of the “doularization” of the Indian population.
Speaking with Jason Edward Kaufman, a foreign reporter Kamla invited to attend the Diwali celebrations in November 2010, Kamla said she wanted to see “the emergence of ‘a new national mind.’…I want Trinidad and Tobago to be the best example in the world of diversity.” She claimed that while the previous government “did not pay much attention to the Hindu population, her government would.” Anand Ramlogan philosophized: “People think of Trinidad as a predominantly African country. We want to rectify this mis-perception” (Jason Edward Kaufman, Artifino, November 17, 2010).
Winston Peters, the minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, articulated the first expression of this policy at a conference, “Towards a Multicultural Policy” on October 13, 2010. This policy came about, he said, because “a large portion of the citizenry feels itself alienated from sharing in the development of the nation.” Multiculturalism, he said, “was meant to foster “a climate of inclusion, equitable distribution of resources and recognition and celebration of cultural diversity.”
Given this love of diversity, one would have thought that Kamla and her surrogates would have been dying [no pun intended] to welcome these displaced Dominicans into our society. Instead, they are more concerned with the violation of the country’s immigration laws. While I respect their positions, I think we need to talk a bit more about what we mean when we call ourselves Trinbagonians and how that sentiment manifests itself in the day-to-day lives of our citizens.
I don’t know if Kamla and her surrogates still endorse their multiculturalism policy and feel that Indians are alienated from the mainstream of the society. Sooner or later we will have to ask, Are we a conglomerate of people living separate lives even though we occupy the same space? What qualities bind us together as a nation?
Whatever answer we give, we cannot go too wrong if we allow the Archbishop’s words to guide us: “Let love of our [T&T] families spill over and embrace them [the Dominicans]. Let us do for them what we would have them do for us if the circumstances were in reverse” (Express, October 3).
Therein lies the foundation of a true T&T love of self and of nation.
“Assimilate”, means to take in information, ideas, or culture and to understand fully, i personally, would not use the UNC, because this Hindu nationalist political group does not represent all Indians, which also include some Hindus. What we have in Trinidad, is really a mis-educated, mis-guided group of colonial educated South Asian indentured descendants, who up to this day, cannot put their pulse on the true history of their heritage. The cultural way of life that, had they been in India would have kept them as perpetual untouchables, and which, present day Dhalits are moving away from, is the Mantra being used in Trinidad. Some of us who grew up with Wade Mark in the Trade Union movement, know him as one of the greatest opportunistic scumbags in Trinidad, Basdeo Panday nurtured him to be what he is today, we know who butters his bread. Trinidad blacks are easily bought, only to be dropped like a hot pot, and humiliated. The Gypsy Peters, Jack Warners and countless others, are nothing but traitors of the sub-slave class that continue to mire in darkness, their fate and destiny is currently approaching. Left for the Hindu nationalist alone, Trinidad would still be a colonial state, when the true history of Trinidad is written leading up to independence, the contributing Fathers will be revealed, and the discourse will be different. Trinidad, to the Hindu nationalist UNC, are the predominated Indian populated villages, thats their base, they will do what ever it takes, in using the national resources to beautify these areas to the detriment of the greater whole. We never expected the Hindu or the Indian Islam community to open their doors for the African Dominicans, not in this world, their limited education will not let it happen, to take from and learn from? yes. Indian Islam refused to invite African converts into their Mosques in the 80′ do you expect it to be different today? i beg to differ.
The question should be from the good doctor”Does the PNM see itself as part of the nation”.
Quoting from Sat Maharaj is like quoting from Kaffra Kambon. Yes Sat represents the MAHA Sabha not the UNC. Similarly Kambon represents the Emancipation Committee and not the PNM.
As for Dominicans coming to TNT and savouring the fat of land, one must ask does the PNM sees itself as part of the nation or is tribalism alive and well. Dr Williams brought in 67,000 Islanders and built Point Fortin. Following since there has been a steady stream of legal and illegal residents. Today illegal numbers is over 130,000.
One must ask about the benefit large numbers of unclassified people have on the health care system, schools, job market, housing etc. Today citizens cannot get medicine and are enduring much hardship due to limited resources. But to ask those questions as Sat did immediately qualifies you as being racist. How dare you ask for the basic needs of life from an elected government. You are not suppose to ask such difficult questions.
This is the mentality that exist in “banana republics”. It is always a “we” versus “them” mindset. Such strangulations of free thought is good for the massa class whose chief aim is to keep citizens in mental bondage. To have them fighting each other whilst they pillage the treasury unchecked. After 51 years of independence the nation has not accepted itself but wants to create an “alter ego” to deal with its own image. This alter ego is built on the false premise “we are better apart, rather than together”. Articles such as this continue to foster such false constructs. I give the prof an F at such a poorly written diatribe.
I find it most annoying that emigrant itinerant Cudjoe should still be repeating his nonsense about Indians (UNC) not seeing themselves as Trinbagonians because they refuse to take incognito Dominicans under their roofs. How many Dominicans has Cudjoe taken under his shelter seeing that he has one foot in the USA and only a finger in T&T. He is a transient with no take in T&T and the gall to question our loyalty to T&T. Why would I and Chato Paul admit complete strangers/foreigners into our homes when the African MP’s will not? To prove that we are Trinis? To Whom? To Cudjoe?
Over the years there has been an overt resistance to Indians from T&T and Guyana in the islands of the Eastern Caribbean and how come they now want to come into our homes?
Indians are second class citizens in Jamaica while Barbados does not want us especially the cane-cutters of British Guyana.
Cudjoe cannot appreciate that when Dominicans stay and rebuild their country that will strengthen their character and not suffer from the psychological impact of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria.He is using the Dominican disaster to divide this country so that he can rule. Poor Chap
Cudjoe questions my use of the English language without realising that his emigration figures on Puerto Rico are the equivalent of decimation being exactly a 10% loss of Puerto Ricans?
Why not 6300 Dominicans migrating elsewhere?
Why are Indians being accused of disloyalty when they have put down their roots here building an expanding entrepreneurial base to increase prosperity?
If Cudjoe understands the concept of the territorial imperative he will see that people’s navel strings bind them to land and people.He will not use flippant data to condemn a group of people(The majority) to foist his foolish obsessions about belongingness at every opportunity because I for one have had enough of this Black propaganda machine when objective evidence does not validate this questioning of the loyalties of the Indians to this part of Dharti Mata.
We have no more time to pay attention to his ravings and hallucinations.
I reject his cheap and cosmetic accusations and assert that I am more Trini than he could ever be seeing that he sees himself as a Welleseyanian first and foremost and had to be paid to attend Meeting of the Central Bank by Manning.
Cudjoe does not act as if he is part of Trinbago. He is foreign-used.
Mr. Mamoo, I tried to not react anymore to this Nutty Professor, but having read your post i felt obliged to lend support. This Pied Piper of ah Professor write this “diatribe” on a weekly basis. This Piper leading his misguided flock over the Cliff, or deep in El Touche.He has to have an ulterior motive me think.If he mingle with de average Trinidadian he will find no Support.
“Whatever answer we give, we cannot go too wrong if we allow the Archbishop’s words to guide us: “Let love of our [T&T] families spill over and embrace them [the Dominicans]. Let us do for them what we would have them do for us if the circumstances were in reverse” (Express, October 3).”
Let love of our (T&T) families spill over…. Yes I agree with loving each other. But love must be reciprocated. If TNT is opening it arms and welcoming thousands of Dominicans, the Dominicans must open their arms to Trinis. That means allowing Trinis to move there open businesses and explore the tourism trade for mutual benefit.
To further “flesh out” this point, most developed nations or developing nations will help but with a precursor agreement built in and that is mutuality. In other words what’s in it for us. The Chinese Construction company came to TNT built several structures offer loans in the billions and used their own people to do the construction. The money was not plough back into the local economy. The point being nations help with their own interest in mind. What’s the value of bringing people here? Without a reciprocity agreement? A reciprocity agreement allows Trinis to go to Dominica own property and help rebuild the island.
The current PNM has imposed tax after tax on the citizenry claiming “no money”. They have spent $110 billion so far with no clear markers of where the money going only increased debt. Mr. Imbert just said in Parliament he don’t have $2 billion to pay civil servants. It is against these backdrop Trinis are saying let them stay there are rebuild their own country….duh.
This so-called professor continues to write racist sewage every week. I would like to ask him, Who has ruled T&T for forty years? How many years has Indians held political power? Dis dotish ductah should use his expertise to help his tribe from killing each other daily.Tell them get an education.He is a “HN” living in a good white neighbourhood.
The sign read “black lives matter” stop killing each other. It is true within Africana history there has been a large number of mass murderers. Idi Amin slaughtered over 500,000 Ugandans, the Hutus slaughtered over 800,000 Tutsis. A combined total of the entire TNT population wiped out.
But why the self hate? America where the professor resides has returned to its white past. President Trump whitehouse is now truly white no person of color to be found anywhere except for Nicky Halley.
It is easy to extrapolate such racialism from American society and transplant it into the TNT construct. However TNT history is not of the same racist ilk and that is why the Prof got an F in this article.
The concerns voiced by many Trinidadians and Tobagonians regarding the prospect of Dominicans relocating to Trinidad and Tobago are certainly valid. We do have to consider the failure of our national security apparatus to properly regulate the many migrants already in this country as a factor in how we deal with accepting more foreign nationals.
With that said, I cannot help but wonder whether the concerns of these same people would be the same if the migrants are mainly of East Indian ancestry.
Mamoo, you have evolve into the darkness of mis-information, by your characterization of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, are you blogging to inform and educate or to mislead? “a fat sheep does not worry about the drought”. Dr Cujoe’ piece is base on the social sciences, that nation building subject, was not taught in your school days. Reading the comments from your kind, ignorance and the lack of knowledge resonates very clearly. Trinidad, at this moment need these type of discourses, our comments should have objectivity, instead of the mudslinging coming from the most right wing of the indentured. A quote from Lord Sri Krsn: “by my grace i live in their hearts, and i dispel the darkness of ignorance by the shining light of wisdom”. Humanitarianism, and the lack of, are the fundamentals of Dr Cujoe’ comment, your kind have twisted it to suit your evil political means, because of your Indianness narratives, you are doing a tremendous disservice to Trinidad, even though you say , your nable string bury dey. Lord Sri Krsn: “He whose every action is done for my sake, to whom i am the final goal, who loves me only and hates no one- o my dearest son, only he realize me”. Mamoo, your knowledge of the colonial divide pertaining to the Hutus and Tutsis is very base, you are unlettered to even start the discussion. “Om TAT SAT” Tat meaning that without reward. Sat: meaning reality or the highest good, and also, it is use to mean an action of exceptional merit. ASAT Maharaj, meaning unreal for it is the negation of “SAT” such an act has no significance, here or hereafter. The Hindu fundamentalist of Trinidad don’t seem to aspire or live according to the book given to them by the high caste BRAMHANS. There are three obstacles that not every one can overcome, (1) THE LACK OF DESIRE TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE. (2) THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. (3) THE INCLINATION TO EVIL. Mamoo,SK, and the rest, your comments encompasses all and more.
Good to see your deep religious expression there Mr. Cooper. Are you a Hindu priest, sinyasi, sadhu or some kind of religious nut.
You don’t think black lives matter? I certainly do but one must examine their soul before you can see to examine other souls. As Jesus said “cast the beam out of your own eyes, then you can see the speck in your brothers eye”. Helpful advice to you.
Dr. Cudjoe:
While you were arguing that there was something disingenuous about the suggestions put forward by Sat Maraj and Stephen Kangal, the business community including many Indian businessmen was busy donating large amounts of money and supplies to be shipped to Dominica. The UNC was silent because many of them were also involved in the massive movement of donations to Dominica.
Puerto Ricans are Americans and are entitled to enter the US anytime they so desire. The comparison to allowing Dominicans to enter T&T in a similar manner cannot be made. T&T is a nation with immigration laws. The Caribbean is not a nation.
It also seems that your lack of evidence and supporting points to refute Kangal’s objections to allowing Dominicans to enter T&T deteriorated to a linguistic debate on the meaning and use of his language.
Your attack on Kamla’s Multicultural policy does have some merit, but you go overboard in its denunciation. It is common knowledge that Peters and Kamla borrowed extensively from the Multicultural programs of Australia and Canada. There are certain aspects of these programs which could benefit any society which is as diverse as T&T. To view this policy as a threat to African cultural dominance in T&T is very short-sighted. It is no secret that funds for cultural celebrations were never equally distributed by successive PNM governments. Anand Ramlogan philosophized: “People think of Trinidad as a predominantly African country. We want to rectify this mis-perception” What’s wrong with that statement in a country in which half of the population is Indian?
I was a very naïve adult. At one time, I honestly believed that the only Indian in Trinidad was Ram Kirpalani. But now as I look around and listen, I hear about Indians and Africans. Where have all the Trinidadians gone? Oh how I miss my Trinidadians friends.
Frontsman , ah love it.!!!!!!Short and sweet, like ah Dougla gul ah did know.Been asking myself de same question lately.Keep de Faith, there is still a LOT of us around.Every Creed an Race. Thank You.
This really, is a relevant topic of discussion because so much of what we experience each day deals with how we see and judge each other. Dr. Cudjoe’s observations are on target and worthy of discussion, but how that is accomplished is another matter. He correctly states the following:
1. Our Caribbean neighbor Dominica, suffered a
disastrous disruption of daily life that
necessitated regional help.
2. How Trinidadians of African ancestry view
helping those dislocated by the hurricane is
different to how hindus and to some degree
other Indians view their plight.
3. Politically, the PNM is obviously more sympathetic
to the plight of the Dominicans than supporters
of the UNC.
4. Whereas the PNM view culture as inclusively
cultural, the UNC views it as separately cultural.
5. Dr. Cudjoe stated accurately, divisive
statements made by Sat Maharaj and Anand Ramlogan
comparing funding of Indian culture vs what they
view as “African” culture.
These are all valid realities of how we co-exist in this twin island. I think that these observations offered a good opportunity by those who object to the notions of help, to offer
perspectives of their consciences, that present a clearer understanding of what differentiates their view of the same subject matter.
The opposition to Dr Cudjoe’s points failed to match validity and chose to denigrate this learned professor instead. Kangal, in reply chose to denigrate by stating Dr. Cudjoe’s itinerant status as a scholar and never attempted to deal with the subject matter of Dominica’s help in times of need. Mamoo, on the other hand sees them as “coming to TNT and savouring the fat of land”. Jonjo, in the same vein as Kangal sees Dr Cudjoe as “this Nutty Professor”. Countryboy,in the same view as Kangal sees Dr Cudjoe as “This so-called professor continues to write racist sewage every week”. Of the Opposition, TMan is the only one who tried to offer an intellectual view of this situation, to which one does not necessarily have to agree but his contribution offered some rational for how we feel about each other.
Topics like these are the best chances we have to deliver rational thoughts on how we are supposed to co-exist on this 2,864 square miles of land. The space is relatively small and how we express our wills, determine how the paths for our future will be. If all we do is emote on our differences and not willing to face the narrow paths of our existence in a concerted way, then we are doomed to be combatants of inherited traits that will run contrary to the physical landscape that we inhabit.
Kian,like ah mash ya corn or wah ? You call me “Adversary”, “opposition” or “the likes of Jonjo”, as if is War yuh fighting.LEAVE ME OUTTA DA COMESS EH.!Ah is a All Inclusive Trini,to d bone, if yuh please…….Now bout this “nutty Professor” business….The piper brings good points in that we have to help our Dominican Brothers, as well as others affected, in each and every way possible. As ah matter of Fact,there should not even be a debate, except as to How, When and Where……The problem is in de ” Bigotry in de Punctuation”,as a matter of fact starting with the Headlines.Is like he pulling ah “Jerry” on we.He slants de Debate a certain way,and when Bloggers respond in kind there seems to be ah problem…. AH call it as ah see it……Ah see it as rather comical even tho it really Sad…Ah appricieate him keeping the African Dialogue alive as well he should, but not in that manner.(in my opinion). Can’t he not express himself in ah different way with Manners and Broughtupsy ?….By de way, i’m Agnostic, if you want to know…There is only ONE Creator for ALL…..Have ah nice Day …….DE JONJO.!!!!
Oboy, the races people play.Why everyone feel that they own Trinidad. funny, MOST DONT CONTRIBUTE.
Before being corrected by the likes of jonjo I want to state the square mileage of Trinidad is really 1,864 square miles and not 2,864.
I appreciated Cooper and Kian’s contributions. The problem here is not whether I am right or wrong. Rather, it revolves around the fact that certain entities had strong objections to Dominicans being housed in Trinidad in a time of need. We can send how much material goods we wish to Dominica. Yet the question remains: why the reluctance to accept them into our homes.
I appreciated Cooper and Kian’s contribution because, in the end, name calling doesn’t allow us to develop a deeper understanding of the issue, nor for that matter does it allows us to disagree with another person’s idea without trying to depreciate him or her as a person or to challenge the nature of his/her Trinidadianness.
As for me, I keep up my educational work. On Saturday last I spoke at Tuft’s University in Medford, Massachusetts about politics in the black world. While there may have been some disagreement among the panelists (and there was little) we were trying to come to terms with the problems that face black countries around the world.
Let us disagree but let us be civil when we do so.
The bottom line is that T&T is not a Hindu society. It is predominantly Christian. The Hindus should be congratulated for the major strides which they have made as a religious and cultural group within T&T. Most people celebrate and participate in their religious and cultural observances. Their presence along with all major Hindu festivals are now part of the international face of T&T, advertised in magazines and in all tourist brochures.
There is no need anymore to compete for the expression of the cultural face of T&T internationally or locally.
Kian wrote “3. Politically, the PNM is obviously more sympathetic
to the plight of the Dominicans than supporters
of the UNC.
4. Whereas the PNM view culture as inclusively
cultural, the UNC views it as separately cultural.”
I think you are misguided in your thinking. The UNC supporters have raised an enormous amount of goods, food, building materials etc for the good people of Dominica. An Indian man actually donated a badge to transport several tons of food. Along with that many Indian own businesses have donate crates of water for our poor african brothers and sisters. To say UNC supporters are not sympathetic to the plight of these people feed into the political lie being promoted with zest on this board.
The PNM response has been to say we don’t have money but come into our homes, we will feed, clothe, shelter and educate you. Note the oxymoron statement! Dr. Cudjoe must say how many he plans to take in instead of saying UNC supporters aka Indians don’t want them here! Only then can he have the moral authority to speak on this issue. Until then it is do as I say, but don’t do as I do, which is nuttin…
Mamoo, I normally do not take time to respond to you, because you happen to be one who ascribes what comes naturally to your head and believes it to be true. Let me first admit that I stand by my quotes. When we make blanket statements about people, groups or things, we apply general principles of likelihood, but in itself does not mean every single individual. Thus, when you say (and I take you at your word) “An Indian man actually donated a badge to transport several tons of food. Along with that many Indian own businesses have donate crates of water for our poor african brothers and sisters.”, it can be believable and truthful in every sense. But we speak in generalities
here when we mention groups and communities of people. Many individuals do not fit into a mold, generally expected of a group or community. It is to be noted that when we speak of ‘the hindu’, there is no doubt that we take our cues from the man who claims to represent all or most of the hindus in Trinidad – Sat Maharaj. That is not to say every hindu thinks or believes the same things he does, but most of Sat’s outrageous statements go unchallenged by hindus anyway. So, it is not inaccurate to draw general conclusions about them. In that respect, I am definitely not “misguided in my thinking”.
In comparing the UNC and the PNM I am making a political statement, which turns out to be true based on what is published in the media (or not published), depending on how you assess it. We KNOW Dr. Rowley asked citizens to help; but we DONT KNOW that Kamla was that generous. We KNOW Dr. Cudjoe would offer help (in his own way), but based on what Mamoo has written, we KNOW he is not that sympathetic to such help. We KNOW it is the policy of the PNM to be sympathetic to helping the Dominicans; but we DONT KNOW that the UNC has offered such sympathies.
Dr. Cudjoe or I do not have to come and boast of what help we offer because such things are personal and by christian principles, it is not ethical to boast about it. So your use of the term “oxymoron” in describing him is very puerile. I notice that you have used the term UNC and Indians interchangeably. My hope is that you do NOT ascribe the same terminology or meaning to what I have said or what I am saying – those are your descriptions.
Lastly to augment my point, I print my number 2 statement to refresh you memory “2. How Trinidadians of African ancestry view
helping those dislocated by the hurricane is
different to how hindus and to some degree
other Indians view their plight.” That statement, clearly illustrates that I am not talking about ALL INDIANS.
My comments are not to instruct you because, as I stated, you write what comes to your head, but I wanted to clarify what I meant and surely don’t want your editing to make that point for me.
Mamoo, Im not a religious nut, the lessons that i’ve learnt from the Gita, Tao Te Ching, The Eight steps of Buddhism, my Ancient book of coming forth by day, that the Europeans call the book of the dead, Jainism, and the Sanskrit, all i have in my personal library are the words that flow from my psyche, though i do have a Bible, it doesn’t move me like those ancient book of wisdom. Mamoo, the book that was used to enslave my people, which is the Bible, will not save or guide me or my people, if you look arround, you will see what i’m talking about. I applaud you trying to rebuff me, but speaking truth to man or to power is what i was taught as a very young officer at the OWTU, i stand strong. At one point of my history, my people was chattel, our lives didn’t matter,our history is well documented, even in Trinidad, the way blacks are treated in some cases, do their lives matter? look with your third eye, you conscience, what do you see Mamoo?
Will the itinerant emigrant transient Professor Cudjoe please tell us how many incognito Dominicans he took into his house? Then we can talk.
You are wrong to target the Indians when they helped the Dominicans to rebuild their lives. As for you you are always looking for manufactured occasions to accord with your anti-Indian agenda while doing nothing to help the hapless people. You cannot put yourself in the psyche of the Indians to appreciate how they have been disenfranchised by the small islanders since 1956.