By Raffique Shah
December 07, 2014
“This is PNM country. The black African king anointed by the blood of Jesus Christ has decreeded (sic) that is we time again. We Africans will be the masa (sic) and the rest ah allya (sic) will be we slaves. Starting today the terror shall begin for all allya coolie and chin who feel allya better than we. Today is just a flat tire.”
For those who are reading or hearing about it for the first time, the idiotic but poisonous verses quoted above, with the PNM insignia inserted above them, formed a “flyer” that some patrons at MovieTowne found stuck to their vehicle windscreens last Saturday night. In instances, the victims found their tyres deflated.
The incident made the news over the next 48 hours, first with PNM officials stoutly denying they had anything to do with the flyer, then the UNC disassociating itself from it and condemning the “racist messages” contained therein.
At some point I saw MovieTowne chairman Derek Chin on television saying something (I didn’t catch his words), but as far as I am aware, that was the end of this sordid affair. Not a word from the police, nothing about the identities of the culprits (were their images and actions captured on CCTV?), nothing!
And I am angry, very angry.
This incident is clearly part of a diabolical plot by persons thus far unidentified but no doubt well heeled and well placed, to incite racial hatred in our exemplary multi-ethnic society which, for all its faults and in spite of efforts by politicians to exploit our ethnic and cultural differences, remains an oasis of harmony in a world torn apart by tribal and religious strife.
Even as the mighty US of A faces race riots and massive unrest in communities as diverse and disparate as small town Ferguson and mega-city New York, Trinidad and Tobago stands like a beacon of integration. I heard a Trinidad-born Ferguson resident, interviewed on television, heap praise on this country as she cringed with fear over racial discrimination and its fallout that erupt all too often in her adopted country.
Yet, there are persons in our midst who, in the pursuit of political power or seeking to hold on to the Treasury, think nothing of tearing us apart, inciting racial strife.
This nasty flyer could hardly have emanated from the PNM, since the party stands to lose most if people believe it did. No sensible person would deduce that the PNM, gearing up for general elections 2015 in which it would need considerable support outside its Afro-base, more so among Indians, would commit suicide.
Could it be there are elements within the PNM who might stupidly resort to race? That is possible, but highly unlikely. Such snakes would wait until after the elections, after a PNM victory, to attempt to shaft “coolies” and “chins”.
So if not the PNM, who? I do not think that the UNC would officially sanction such a campaign, knowing that it could backfire in several ways. Because if people, including Indians, believe that the UNC, in seeking to hold on to power, would stoop as low as to foment racial strife, they would sink the party so fast, the captain and crew would hardly have time to abandon ship.
I believe, though, there are powerful people within the UNC who want to continue feeding at the trough who are behind the race-hate campaign. This latest incident was not a one-off thing. The PNM reported that during its Divali celebrations last October, similar anti-Indian flyers were stuck on patrons’ vehicles.
And a few months earlier, during an anti-government demonstration, three men displayed placards that were racially offensive in the extreme. Then, in the face of probes by the media and the PNM, one of the culprits came forward and admitted that a man had paid them $50 each to carry the placards.
As far as I know, the police never interviewed the culprit, nor did they charge him. Why? Surely the police must sense the potential for mischief in these reckless acts. And it must constitute an offence (sedition? Inciting?) to publish, distribute or display such material.
The police might argue that they have to cope with so many serious crimes, why bother with a few fools. Well, if these fools have their way, the society would implode in racial strife that would make gunmen and gangsters look like toy criminals.
Too much is at stake here, most of all the tranquillity in our twin-island state, to allow diabolical minds to mess with what generations have worked too hard to preserve.
Personally, I do not see such satanic interventions disrupting the harmony that we enjoy in sweet T&T. But we need to unmask the men (or women) behind the campaign, expose them for the traitors they are.
Forget the fools who do their bidding for a few dollars: at worst, rest some hard “calpets” on them so they would pay for their sins on the spot-instant justice!
But find the real perpetrators, the financiers, the dividers who hide behind a veneer of respectability, ensconced in high offices, secreted in fortified mansions.
Look the Devil dey!
“I believe, though, there are powerful people within the UNC who want to continue feeding at the trough who are behind the race-hate campaign”.(SHAH)
Let’s see really what this third world “journalist” is really saying. It cannot be the PNM. It cannot be the UNC, but it could be powerful people within the UNC.
This is a classic example of everything that is wrong about journalism and politics in T&T.
A qualified editor would have thrown this idle speculation in the waste paper basket.It is pure speculation irresponsibly and provocatively presented to pass for fact and to create bacchanal within the population.If you cannot prove it, do not print it.
It is quite similar to accusations of corruption by Roget et all. It is becoming fashionable to make blind accusations without evidence. It is central to the mauvais langue culture where gossip and arrogance are kings.But you do not expect it from a “journalist”.
This article is pure conjecture derived from a series of infantile presuppositions. It was about two weeks ago SIS equipment was burnt to the ground to the tune of $9 million. One can assume that there is a radical PNM element not too bright working behind the scenes to stir up the racist pot. The PNM has always used race to fix boundaries, to give jobs and housing to its supporters. They desperately desire to place their hands in the treasury as they did for 40 plus years. One can only expect this type of behavior to only get worst during the election year.
The naked expression of hate occurred just last Friday, in an event aptly name K for Korruption. While on stage the OWTU leader brought a mannequin and used it to promote his misonygestic agenda against women of the nation. Depleted of any corruption in the public domain he proceeded to launch a personal attack on the PM.
Shah is an example of a “knife and fork” indian who must carry a PNM slant to his commentaries. The reality is there are supporters of that tribalistic party who would do anything to destabilize this nation in the interest of power. The facts are clear for all to see, the PM is not as dumb as Rowley thinks, he now lives abroad and occasionally visits TnT. Even Manning can’t reach his leader.
Mamoo you have a serious problem with vision! It would be accurate if you were to ascribe those accusations to the current regime but you would rather prefer to see it realized in the form of the PNM. It is no wonder we have so much dysfunctionallity in the country. People definitely don’t know ‘which way is up’, we are a totally confused people under this political directorate.
It is a challenge to move forward when actions like these take us back.
You are correct Mr. Shah and great journalism.
I think both parties have greedy ambitions and both are controlled by their financial backers. So, Mr. Shah is just sitting on the fence, trying unite both sides without really pointing a finger…playing it safe…It is good journalism because he has revealed something personal, and this is an OpEd…so he can be opinionated.
For all of you out there, what has the PM done to advance the education of the poor community? How many jobs were created in the past 4 years? This is a wake up call to the PM to act swiftly and diligently in seeking her true supporters and not be a lackey to her financial superiors.
People in certain parts of T&T live in abject poverty and no one cares…not the PNM and not the PP. Perhaps this is a wake up call to what the future holds during the election.
Trinidad is not going to have oil and natural resources forever. There is no investment in tourism, agriculture, community development and jobs. It appears that Trinidad’s revenue from exports serves as a personal piggy bank for both parties and their funders.
It appears that Trinidad has no laws against hate crime…
Look lady, before using your keyboard for finger practice, know what you are talking about.
Your ignorance of the affairs of T&T disqualifies you from further commentary.
My advice to you is to find another outlet for your orgasmic adventures.
“Could it be there are elements within the PNM who might stupidly resort to race? That is possible, but highly unlikely. Such snakes would wait until after the elections, after a PNM victory, to attempt…”
As my cousin said they does say things like “allyuh coolies in charge, dat coolie prime minister etc”. She is a woman and therefore an easy target for the rabid racist. Yes racist do exist within the United tnt federation, just as Hilton Sandy a man who has been applauded by Rowley and only publicly chastise after such utterance into the Calcutta ship.
The PNM PRO Faris Al Rawi is now the go to man when it comes to these issues. He is very vague and subtly try to throw the race mahappippi into the arms of the government. Faris must feed the PNM supporters adequate propaganda and talking points to spread the word that all are welcome in the PNM big tent. But in the Bible the question was asked “can the leopard change its spots” and the obvious answer is NO….
Jamaat Al-Muslimeen
According to the gossip article put out by Shah, it could be the UNC, it probably is not the PNM, could it be the Jamaat?
Come on Shah, give us some more conspiracy theories.
Over the years it is quite noticeable that Raffique Shah carefully crafts his articles to avoid offending the PNM, but delivers heavy salvos against the UNC.
Is he attempting to placate his military PNM diehards or is he afraid to offend their sensibilities?
Also, he relishes in his full frontal acerbic attacks on the UNC but is deliberate and cautious with his criticisms when it comes to his PNM friends.
There is no doubt that his services could be better utilized as a crime fighter rather than a newspaper columnist.
Shah is correct in what he’s saying. I do remember clearly during a NAR rally through Caroni East (Frederick Settlement) Panday, Ramnath and others were in front of a very long motorcade fed by the positives of what the party can offer. At the back-end of the motorcade was sweeping statements made towards the PNM supporters of what would happen to them. Now the opposite is true for what I witnessed against UNC supporters in San-Fernando West. The funny thing was the motorcade started in San-Fernando East (Pleasantville) with positive platitudes but it was astonishing to hear how it descended to derogatory remarks made to the Opposition (Todd street) at the time.
“NAR rally,” Royal Trini? Nice one, but why stay there, when you can talk about that 1956, and is it 1964 rallies, where your people Grand liberator Capildeo, and Eric Williams, were going at each other , and children of ex slaves , and indentured laborers , were shooting respective supporting voters, with Uzis,and AK47s.
Enough already, and yes, my examples are equally, as ridiculous as yours , si?
You forgot to mention that Erica Williams and Rudranath Capildeo were neighbours in Clapham Common, London in the late 60s with Capildeo dying in 1970 in England and the revolution taking place in good old T&T? The philosophy then, was to have the poor fighting amongst themselves irrespective of race and the educated ones preaching that ignorance is bliss amongst the races.
The corruption still exists. Interesting article by a former Trini and PNM lineage.. http://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3689&context=etd
Interesting how the writer Dr. Allison McLetchie now a professor, was able to get the T&T ambassador to the US at her University…
Trinidad is suffering from a brain drain because instructors are recruited from California and S. Carolina to teach at the UWI…I can understand bringing visiting professors to Trinidad but again, these instructors are recruited to teach those awaiting political appointments…It’s a vicious cycle..
http://www.diplomaticourier.com/news/diplomatic-life/719-interview-with-the-ambassador-of-the-republic-of-trinidad-and-tobago
Also, this is where all the wheeling and dealing and cushy life starts with diplomatic immunity, parties, money, and job opportunities…for the elite…
http://issuu.com/washdiplomat/docs/final.paper.dec12/43
Interesting submission Indira. From the readings of the thesis, Basdeo Panday left his thumb print on the coinage of the term ‘Political Oligarchy’ in T&T politics. Who knows maybe a documentary film can be made entitled Struggle, Survival and Success in T&T. The facial colour of elites are changing slowly but the philosophy of corruption seems to be the same. Also, from some of the tabulated tables submitted that have some missing gaps, with respect to those of East Indian origin, religion appears to play an interesting role with both Hindus,Muslims and Christians. Compare this with those of African origin, Christians only. Mahatma Gandhi in his auto biography did say that ‘politics and religion are inseparable’.
it seems some of these loudmouths can’t condemn the contents of these nazi fliers, but instead shoot the messenger and gripe about crappy journalism.
Is the implicit condemnation not obvious? Or, maybe the tacit rejection of the contents of the pamphlet just shot right over your head.What do you want? Cussin’ and screaming?
Who stand to benefit from the comments. The PPP in Guyana employ the same tactics. It is a cry to call those who see themselves as the higher castes in T&T together. And you know they will always argue the dissonant, that the PNM is seeking to shoot itself in the foot, in order to obfuscate what in two distinct Caribbean nations, currently Governed by similar ethnic regimes and ideological convictions, is SOP when they perceive a challenge to their electoral primacy.
There are many Mamoos and Tmans out there in T&T, who take the same arguments they make in here outside to the flock, but in a narrative more aligned with their mindsets.
“This is PNM country. The black African king anointed by the blood of Jesus Christ has decreeded (sic) that is we time again. We Africans will be the masa (sic) and the rest ah allya (sic) will be we slaves. Starting today the terror shall begin for all allya coolie and chin who feel allya better than we. Today is just a flat tire.”
When one takes careful note of the language here, one can clearly see the evidence of someone attempting to reproduce “black language”, but failing horribly in the process. It is nigh impossible to find any African that is ideologued in a world view of African Supremacy, who would exude a narrative like this. Who will present their position as an emulation of “massa”, or anointment in the blood of Jesus Christ.
It requires no great examination to discern the product of someone who can only relate to black people from the period of their enslavement, which happens to be the preferred understanding for many, maybe most Indian Trinis. So please spare me the protest. We know where it comes from, and for me, it is amusing. I am always amuse when the racist underpinnings of non whites reflect the shared ignorance the share with whites about black people, and their efforts to validate their inherent and historical prejudices by seeking to find ways of projecting it upon black people.
I don’t care. It is what it is.
There are many dynamics at work to win the hearts of the electorate in 2015. Race continues to be the most potent and commanding issue to attract turnout for a victory and the strategists are busy in formulating their concoction for a winning strategy. Issues based on ‘performance’ cannot and will not in itself be a positive development for re-election. An anti-Rowley campaign will most likely fail, so insinuations and defacto race baiting appears to be a more attractive recipe, but it is not without danger. See how quickly Mamoo has grasped and lashed out at the PNM? Could it be Mamoo himself who is the perpetrator here? Who knows? Could it be TMan? Who knows? Point here is, this is not a case of prejudice, or racial hatred, this is a case of pure racial provocation where the bait is thrown, wrapped in the vicious hook and whoever bites hard enough can become the victim (or victors), depending on your point of view. Watch out TMan how you bite at that bate, watch out Mamoo at your early conclusion that could possibly point back to you. Halleluiah!!!!