By Michael De Gale
July 08, 2008
T&T is not a failed state; it is a state whose socio/economic policies, ineffective leadership and lack of vision is failing its citizens. It is a state which has consistently failed to effectively integrate large sections of the African and East Indian populations into the wealth creating mechanism that would give them a stake in the country. This failure manifests itself in misdirected values, social deviance, questionable morals and increasing violence. Consequently, with the exception of the elite, a struggling middle class and an increasing number of foreigners, the great majority of citizens in this small but oil rich nation remain poor; marginally more than hewers of wood and drawers of water.
It is a gross understatement to say that poverty has a debilitating effect on the poor but as the overwhelming evidence suggest, the effects of poverty is not limited to that demographic. The spate of murders, kidnappings, sexual assaults, domestic violence, child abuse and other social ills, reverberates throughout the wider society, instilling fear, restricting free movement and making virtual prisoners of citizens in their own homes. In fact, the social, political and economic fallout from poverty makes it impossible for citizens to enjoy the full benefits of life in civil society and hinders the society’s ability to realize its full potential.
It is the moral responsibility of every government to create conditions to ensure that all citizens live with some degree of human dignity. The increase in social problems presents clear evidence that this has not happened. The conditions that give rise to poverty on the one hand, and vulgar accumulation on the other, lies at the heart of the country’s social problems. In 1905, George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) stated, “We tolerate poverty as if it were a wholesome tonic for lazy people or else a virtue to be embraced as St. Francis embraced it.” Shaw would be terribly disturbed to learn that over 100 years later, that embrace has tightened and is suffocating the poor and the country as a whole, more than ever before.
No amount of Scotland Yard officers, Blimps, Ministers of National Security, extended prison sentences or the regressive threat of hanging, could bring an end to the scourge of poverty and its accompanying manifestations. Security, the chief pretence of civilization, cannot exist where the danger of poverty, hang over the heads of an increasing number of families witnessing the local elite and foreigners live high on the hog while squandering resources that are the birthright of the people. Those who have nothing to lose except the freedom to continue suffering, view crime as a calculated risk with the potential for great material dividends. They take their cues from a corrupt upper class and a leadership that has essentially lost its way.
It is not my intention to condone nor to excuse criminal behaviour. But to vigorously persecute the effects of poverty without adequately addressing the root cause is tantamount to spinning top in mud. By the same token, infrastructural development; that misleading indicator of progress, can never be constructed high enough to blot out the cesspool of poverty that is constantly expanding at its base. When a woman sells her body to feed her children or a man indulges in criminal behaviour perhaps for similar reasons, society judges them harshly without regard for circumstance. We should judge a government who fail to create conditions that renders these behaviours unnecessary with the same degree of harshness, and be prepared to liberally apply the appropriate punishment, when the people get their chance to be judge, jury and executioner.
mdegale@hotmail.com
Mr. deGale has hit the nail on the head, or maybe many nails. When we consider that the poverty of the east Port of Spian hills has been there since mainly white people lived in Woodbrook, and the poverty in some parts of central tends to move back from the main road towards the countryside, one has to conclude that some people are maintained in poverty to allow others to be filthy rich. It may be too, that this society is meant to be a study in neo-colonial wastage, and an opportunity to observe how people behave when there is tremendous wealth and an apparent absence of moral values. The situation will go on as long as there continues to be droves of young people who leave school with no real hope of meaningful work. Then we say they don’t want to work, and bring in the Chinese to replace the poor Indians who were brought to replace the original Chinese who were brought to replace the Africans at emancipation.
Meanwhile as some of the people cross the bar of poverty into the middle clas, they immediately condemn the poor, as if laziness is why they are poor. All over the world, the poor are the hardest working people, but still they are poor. Its time we take another look. Mr. deGale’s shot across the bow should really start a buzzing.
It should be evident by now for all to see that the political leadership on both sides of the divide might just be out of ideas and are incapable of dealing with the present crisis as existing in the country. What’s needed therefore is not mere spelling out of these challenges, but efforts aimed at providing concrete solutions. Pontifications and empty intellectual posturing , are pointless at this stage, unless the aim is simply to titillate the senses so as to encourage more debates. So like the dog that is attempting to catch its tail we’ll be keeping busy and doing nothing.
Let’s cut through the chase and call it as we see it in our beloved country. The PNM is carded to be in power for another 46 years, as the divided Opposition as presently constructed cannot ever win another political election. Therefore look out for the political gridlock for quite a while, with little achieved as both parties strives to score points among respective bases. The private sector that we are saddled with in the country is controlled by some of the greediest and most selfish characters the Caribbean have seen. For example , with all the complaint about crimes , how many are willing to make some economic sacrifices and provide some logistical support to the police – a few vehicles etc. As for our NGO’s or members of the Civil Societies ,its laughable the disorganized and politicized state they are in, with most of their leader’s actions aimed at influencing either of the parties to select them for the next election ,or upcoming available Senatorial position.
Therein lays the first major problem. It is time to do some serious introspection, analysis and re prioritization.
The first two were excellent commentaries which those in control of our society should not ignore. I would like to add two other areas that need to concentrate on the needs of our less fortunate, justice and religions. Justice should not only cooncern itself with the lock and put away mentality of correction. We must be concerned with detection and prevention from an early age of our children’s lives in order to arrest future diversions from society’s norms. Emphasis must be placed on the ‘family’ and the serious impact it places on our young’s behaviour. Too often we view poverty as a deficiency of financial resources only and not the deficiency familial connections, correctness, norms, ettiquettes, hygiene and other necessary behaviour that goes into the rounding of proper behaviour. Religious convictions and adherence to law abiding behaviour also help in this respect, it is like the icing on the cake. Where are the so-call NGOs who will go out there and help build these qualities in our young without looking to Government to lead them?
Any poverty prevention, and amelioration programme must take a hard look at two areas.
The first is our education system. When a child leaves secondary school, he or she must have a skill that is salable in the world of work. Businesses could help here by sponsoring internships for children in their final year at high school, especially those who are stuudying in the non-academic streams. If these skills do not lead to work, they lead to destructive idleness.
Women must be encouraged to limit their families to those they can provide for. two or one. An active family planning programme, with state support, is essential for women to work. Look at the tragedies of Hope Arismandez, Amy Anamuthodo, Roshini, and the little boy who was beaten with the roti paddle. Where were their mothers? Usually working to fed the very child that gets killed because the mother could not supervise her. Along with family planning has to come adequate child care facilities for working women. Women are the workforce of the world. They do the lowly paid jobs in hotels restaurants, clothing stores, foosd stores, restaurants- , and hospitals as well as schools. Their children are often neglected while they work.
Therse are two steps civilized, caring , developed countries can provide.
We have the means. Do we have the caring required?
Only if our government shows the same interest in family as they have shown in the G-Pan, I think it would be a fantastic start!
People are more important that governments. Now if the people of Couva to Marabella- the area where Amy Anamuthodo lived and died, in conjunction with busineses in the area, decided they will set up and licence(meet state requirements) a child care facility as described above, it could, from the funds charged for day-care- sliding scale, reasonable rates and all that, provide employment for four to five women, on the basis of a one to twelve ratio. This could then become a model for others. KFC did not wait on government. All the little jumped up private schools and people “giving lessons” all over the place did not wait on goernment. The people identtify the need and answer it. Government can come in at any part of the progamme, but please do not wait on goernment.
Remember the first set of houses built under the Eric Williams government? Theyw ere called aided self help houses. The people built their houses with goernment help. HAbitat for Humanity works on the same principle, but theydo not build community facilities.
How many churches are there in the area mentioned, including mandirs, temples and mosques? If all our children are under attack, these groups can come together, and work together, for the benefit of the children.
the Ministries of Education and health could get involved in trainingthed day care workers in eraly childhood education, and nutrition and first aid procedures.
You can cll the center “Villamora”- Village of Love, after a multicultural project I developed to teach in my former school.In Villamora, all groups work together for the benefit of all. No one gets ahead, they pull together, in one spirit.
Anyone reading this in any part of TnT is free to copy the idea for their areas. I am not interested in making money from this, but in doing somethin for humanity, and specifically for my people.
Excellent suggestion , Ms. L. One can sense that your heart is in the right place . It is my hope that this might be viewed by others as a 1st step forward.
I Live in Petit Valley, La Burnum Ave, My husband and I have been complaining to the Regional Health Office in Petit Valley about a company which operates to the back of my Property doing Furniture and Upholstery refurbishing. They were located in Maraval. Every day they use Chemicals and I have been getting the fumes everyday, some day’s worst than other days, also others in the neighborhood. I get it more than the others because they immediately behind my property. The others persons are to the side etc. Now the Regional Health office told the operators what they needed to do and they claim to have extractor fans etc, but I still get the fumes. I have a five month old baby and I have not opened my windows in a long while because of these people and no one is taking action. The fumes would make me ill. I would have to leave my house to go else where to escape the fumes. Now my Daughter has repertory issues. She constantly has a runny nose and sneezes and coughs…I have told the health center where I take her and the Regional Health office is next to it and I made a report again in person, mind you the gentleman did not write it down and said they are aware of the problem and I told him to look at my child and tell that to her.
I took her to a Private Doctor who stated that those types of chemicals don’t dissipate so easily they stay onto services and it could be causing my daughters health issue. I don’t have money to take legal action and the regional health office is not doing a damn thing. If anyone can assist me as to what I can do again please reply. The business is at #1 Sierra Leon Rd Petit Valley, on the right hand side immediately after Mary’s Restaurant and bar. I want these people GONE.
Fed up Inhaling Paint fumes
Many years ago, I was a simple insignificant nobody working under a much admired respected officer that eventually became one of our recent Police Commissioners. As part of my daily duties, I had to scout the newspapers and look for any type of complaints by members of the public or adverse report by a journalist on our department. Someone would then be entrusted with responsibility of looking into the matter, ascertain validity, and make recommendations for subsequent appropriate actions.
I am assuming that this still prevails, and is not limited to the Police Service but to the members of the Ministry of Health as well. There should be a balance between making money and responsible business and environmental practices. Let’s hope these boards are receiving wide readership and this complaint can reach some responsive ear.It is all part of child protection especially in this case ,if the report is true.
I appreciate your response Mr Noray and the report is true. At times I wish it was not. My daughter is the one suffering.I am not in the habit of telling lies sir. I believe I would have to go to the newspapers and write about this and hopefully it would be looked into further, because as you said there should be a balance between making money and responsable enviromental practices.This Gentleman in question has come to my home and he smelt the fumes and told me “oh it’s not so bad” well it is and this has been going on since January and my daughter from birth (Feb)has had a runny nose. I am frustrated and I am Taking it Further.
Thank you for your response and hopefully there is a scout in the Ministry of Health that would take this seriously and act upon it in a more asertive manner. I want this business to move.
Chuckalunks
Get your daughter’s medical records together, and sue the company. Get a good lawyer who would work pro-boneo and get the EPA behind you. This is in the finest tradition of activist citizens.You have to do something.
I echo your concern about Petit VAlley.On Armondale, a street with nineteen houses, there were five cases of breast cancer in women durin the eighties. That is an epidemic, but no one saw it as such ecept myself. Some breast and other cancers are environmentally caused. Get a video camera and go up to Fort George and film the valley from up there early on a weekday morning, when all the fumes hang in the valley with nowhere to go. Find out what the fumes are, by findingou whatt they are manufacturin. Go online and search for the efects of these chemicals on humans. the US Environmenal Protection Agency(look them up on Yahoo)could help with data on hazardous chemicals.
You may seem like one lone voice in the wilderness, but the Love Canal story in the US began with a couple of parents who wanted healthy children.
Youcould also go to the Children’s Ward of the POSGH and see how many children have “breathing problems” and where they live.
People have to help the government in these cases. The government does not lie near this factory, nor are their children’s reproductive rights at risk. Go get em.