By Errol F. Hosein
January 27, 2007
The recent slaughter of four individuals in Morvant including a police officer and the horrific exposure to the atrocity by a young child, is a startling reminder that few are safe from harms way in our present-day society.
We are rapidly becoming a dysfunctional society in which crime and criminals command respect. Too frequently we make comparative analysis about crime and criminal activity in other countries around the world as if to minimize the pain and suffering that we are presently experiencing. This is simply morbid.
As a society, we created the plague that is upon us. We politicized crime. And like little children we are fed imps and blimps to distract our attention from the rot that continues to devalue life.
It is apparent that the Carnival season lasts all year long as irresponsible behavior no longer endures a mere two days. Even as we complain, our attitudes are not reflective of a people who are serious about the spiraling level of crime and criminal activity in our nation.
The concerns echoed as a result of the Morvant massacre are just temporary exercises. In a few short weeks, maybe days, we will be back to our old selves; presupposing that the next victim will be someone else. That has become our comfort zone as we adjust to the gradual change in the behavior of the criminal element that we have coddled and empowered.
There is a commonality between our haves and have-nots. They all reside behind bars. As a nation our political DNA reflects the kind of governance that we subscribe to and it did not begin with this present administration. We, as a people, have openly created the existing monster that gnaws at the moral fabric of our blood-stained national character. It grew over time and it is now poised to devour future generations of innocent citizens because we have failed them. Perhaps, as a people we are only meant to be led. And that in itself is rather tragic. How many more must die before we rise up and effectuate change, how many?
As long as the attention of Trinidadians and Tobagonians remains diverted, the problems that this country is experiencing will only get worse. Why are we so distracted as a nation? One reason is more entertainment or too much entertainment. It seems like politicians have been literally encouraging us to fete 24/7 on the assumption that if most of the energy of the people goes into fete, very little will be left for the things that matter. This has been going on for about the last 3 decades. Incidentally, election is this year, so just watch at the number of fetes that politicians from all parties are going to throw. Imagine the condition of this country if the average Trinidadian fully understood its political and economic workings? How many Trinidadians and Tobagonians know of their RIGHTS under the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago? How many really care? My understanding is that this country has maintained a 97% plus general literacy rate since Independence. How did “THEY” arrive at this figure? Literate means fairly educated, so how could a country with such a large percentage of its population educated be in so much trouble? The strange thing about WE TRINIDADAINS is that even among the so-called truly educated, very few could tell what their Rights are under the Constitution. To prove this point, just ask the average UWI graduate. More worrisome is the fact that most policemen, even at the administrative level, do not understand the Constitution. The system is setup in a manner that ensures that the average citizen will be FOREVER IGNORANT about a Constitution and political system under which they live. We as Trinidadians and Tobagonians have been living a BIG LIE for far too long. The BIG LIE has not and will never work for us as nation.
give us guns and drugs and then wonder why we are thugs.since i was going to school in the later nineties,we was gangstefied and i have 8 cxc subjects so look in the mirror.we had to block the road to get work ,water and the road fix,so look in the mirror,this is the byproducts of that. no government could stop this,
Neil….who “gave” you guns and drugs? It’s a serious question. I need to be educated. And why did you have to take them? Blocking roads is the lazy man’s way of trying to get what he wants and is a mob mentality….you are right – no gov’t can stop that kind of thinking. Here’s a novel idea…to get work, spend some time working on yout C.V., consider in this day, CXC is not enough and show up for interviews in a presentable manner (not directed at you personally – just in general).
Hi my friends!
Im from Guadeloupe (450 000 inhabitants (FWI)).
I would like to tell you that even in my country which still belongs to France which is supposed to be developped, we face big issues like increasing criminalty and unemployement (33 percent).
Drugs and the consumer society has lead many of our young to criminalty.
This is the reason why many people in Guadeloupe no longer believe in independence as a viable project.
So when I read you guys, I feel sad because some of us (in the french west indies) look upon you all as a model when it comes to economical achievement as an independent island.
Keep the faith Brothers!