Tag Archives: Selwyn R. Cudjoe

COP, Elections, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Race and Identity, UNC

The Changing Social and Political Landscape of Trinidad and Tobago

June 22, 2010 News 15 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 22, 2010

(A Lecture delivered at the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards)

I wanted to thank my friend Brian Moore for inviting me to address you as a part of the educational lectures that are being offered by the Bureau of Standards to acquaint workers about common trends in the society that are likely to make them more efficient in what they do. I also wanted to remind them that anytime they reduce their work to its mere technocratic dimensions they set themselves on a road that misses the essence of the jobs they perform for their society and their constant evolution as informed workers. Therefore, it is good thing to be here today to share with you my sense of what transpired over the last month in the society and why I believe that Trinidad and Tobago has arrived at another level of its social and political development.
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Complaints, General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Peace and Love

June 17, 2010 News 64 Comments

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers — PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar with Govt Ministers

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 17, 2010

Before the elections it was all about peace, love and togetherness. Speaking at Aranguez on May 22 Kamla Persad-Bissesar intoned “As we reach the end of this campaign, I want to thank everyone in and out of Trinidad and Tobago who has contributed to our efforts…Your efforts have been historic because, for the first time in our nation’s history, you have put aside the divisions of our past in order to reach across and unite for a better future and a better way.”
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COP, Elections, General T&T, NJAC, People's Partnership, Politics, Race and Identity, UNC

Indian (Hindu) Time Ah Come

June 10, 2010 News 53 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
June 10, 2010

The victory of the People’s Partnership (PP) with the assistance of African people, has changed the face of Trinidad and Tobago’s politics. In spite of its rhetoric, 2010 may prove to be a pivotal year in the relationship between Africans and East Indians. In years to come it may be seen as the year in which Indian ascendancy consolidated itself and the decline of Africans commenced. One only has to look at Sat Maharaj’s new prominence to understand where much of PP’s power lies and why his function, in many ways, may be analogous to that of the Priestess in the last administration.
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General T&T, PNM, Politics

Is PNM Yesterday’s News?

June 5, 2010 News 17 Comments

By Dr Selwyn R Cudjoe
June 05, 2010

Sharon Wilson is a friend. A few days ago we were in conversation with other friends. She asked, “Is PNM yesterday’s news, or is the People’s Partnership tomorrow’s promise?” It was a good question. It spoke to the enormous challenges that face the PNM and the innumerable opportunities this new environment offers if only we can seize the moment.
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Elections, General T&T, PNM, Politics

How Hath the Mighty Fallen

May 29, 2010 News 17 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 29, 2010

It was one of the saddest days in the history of the PNM. Party members surrounding the political leader’s car and saying “Go!” It had come to that. As my mother would say in her own inimitable way, “Yo’ does do and do until yo’ can do no more.” And in his own bumbling way, Manning had brought disgrace unto himself and his party by believing that he was beyond the party and the people.
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corruption, Elections, General T&T, NJAC, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Race and Identity, UNC

Slandering Our Time

May 17, 2010 News 6 Comments

LEFT: David Abdullah of the Movement for Social Justice, Congress of the People (COP) political leader Winston Dookeran, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack, United National Congress (UNC) leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) political leader Makandal Daaga, and chairman of the Movement for Social Justice Errol McLeod. — The People's Partnership

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 17, 2010

It is true in philosophy as it is in political science that if one asks the wrong question one is likely to get a wrong answer. Trapped in a climate of uncertainty, the question that faces the Trinidad and Tobago voter on May 24 is not whether the People’s Partnership (PP) can hold together if it is elected or whether Kamla is an inspirational genius? It is whether PP and Kamla who happen to be in the right place at the right time can fulfill their roles as creative place holders in our country’s political history.
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corruption, Elections, General T&T, Law, PNM, Politics, UDeCOTT, Uff Report, UNC

Flattering to Deceive

May 13, 2010 News 8 Comments

Diego Martin West PNM candidate Dr Keith Rowley

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 13, 2010

From all accounts Keith Rowley came out as a hero when he announced that he preferred to stay aboard a sinking ship (or certainly a troubled ship) rather than abandon it. He declared, “I am a sailor on the PNM ship and I know what my duty is. And it does not matter what shape the ship is in, don’t give up the ship.” Although he sounded convincing, the question was not whether he was abandoning or staying on ship but what could he propose to return the ship to an even keel and bring it safely back to shore.
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Elections, General T&T, Law, NJAC, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Protest, Race and Identity, Religion, UNC

Is a Letter of Comfort needed from Daaga?

May 12, 2010 News 7 Comments

Candidate for Laventille West (N.J.A.C) Makandal Daaga

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
May 12, 2010

Dear Mr. Manning:

I was disappointed when you called upon Makandal Dagga to apologize to Christians for his having desecrated [your words] the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception during the Black Power Revolt of 1970. I was even more disturbed when you castigated him for wearing a dashiki in these post-Black Power Days although you wear African clothes on Emancipation Day, one of the few concessions that you make towards your African-ness.
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Elections, International, UNC

Gordon Brown’s Disaster

April 30, 2010 News 6 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
April 30, 2010

It couldn’t have come at worse time. You are down in the polls. You have a reputation of having raging tantrums, being dour and bereft of the common touch. Although you are a good Chancellor of the Exchequer you are seen as the ultimate bureaucrat. Your political advisors say that you have to get out more; meet the common man and woman; exude more warmth; smile a lot with them which will make the electorate feel closer to you.
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Elections, Gender, General T&T, PNM, Politics

“Too Old to Party”

April 29, 2010 News 5 Comments

By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
April 29, 2010

Oskie, my perennial nemesis, was mad like hell. He say he ain’t voting for PNM no matter if they kill him so I had to ask him the inevitable question:

“Boy, why so mad at the PNM? Wha’ dey do yo so’?”

“Do me? Is what dey do you?”
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