“[…] Two days later, Pelham Warner, a youthman from Morvant, was waiting for me by the school gate. He greeted me with the words, ‘I took your poem to Granger (Daaga), and he wants to see you immediately.’ “That very evening, at Waterman Road in Belmont, three NJAC seniors, Makandal …
Read More »Dear Editor: Let’s do right by Kitch and give him the ORTT he richly deserves
“[…] In 1993, for very spurious reasons which do not bear repeating, Kitch and Sparrow were denied the nation’s then highest national award, the Trinity Cross, although both were clearly deserving of the honour. They were both offered the Chaconia Medal (Gold), which Kitch refused—having regard to the aspersions cast …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: How the People’s Revolution defied the gov’t and transformed the T&T economy
“[…] The role of the masses is also seen in their response to NJAC’s call for the transformation of the Trinidad and Tobago economy […] where for the first time Africans and Indians began to set up businesses right across the nation, which they also supported to guarantee their success. …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Tobago stood as ‘one family’ in 1970 movement
The following is the tenth column in a NJAC series on their contribution to Trinidad and Tobago society after the ‘Black Power Revolution’ of 1970: Reflecting on the 1970 mass people’s movement in Tobago brings to mind Lord Nelson’s calypso All Ah We Is One Family. Tobago’s entry into the …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Women and youth empowered in 1970s revolution
“[…] The women of 1970 showed great strength in the willing acceptance of their new role and responsibility as part of the movement for a better nation. They stood firm and joined the struggle with men, in pursuit of a better nation for themselves and their children. They came to …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Black Power Revolution and ‘a positive shift in T&T’s mindset’
“[…] The new consciousness defined new ways of looking at ourselves, at our fellow brothers and sisters and humanity as a whole. It enlightened our philosophies and vision, as well as our hopes and aspirations. It advised our system of values, clarified our sense of justice and dictated the growth …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: 1970 Revolution impacts spirituality and religion in T&T
“[…] White supremacist philosophy, then predominant in the society, was reinforced by very visible symbols of wealth, power, science, technology and general achievement, which resulted from centuries of exploitation of the human and physical resources of colonised societies around the world. “[…] The new teachings of the Trinidad and Tobago …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Economic transformation and the birth of the people’s sector
“[…] Ownership of our economy was still dominated primarily by foreigners, supported by, a local predominantly white elite. Under NJAC’s leadership, however, people were moving for true independence, which could only be achieved through ownership and control of the economy. “The new slogan was: ‘We do not want crumbs, We …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: How the ‘March to Caroni’ sent shockwaves through T&T
“[…] From the moment the chief servant [Makandal Daaga] announced the ‘March to Caroni’, it sent shock waves through the corridors of power. This march challenged one of the pillars of domination, control and oppression of our people, which was laid down by our past colonial ‘masters’—the creation and maintenance …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Daaga goes from student guild to movement leader
“[…] Makandal Daaga placed great emphasis on people and the indispensable need for the participation of the population in the building of any new society. “[…] It was on this premise that he mobilised the nation, not just to change social, political and economic conditions, but above all to enlighten, …
Read More »NJAC rededication: Pegasus’ flight—how forerunner to NJAC inspired national stadium and awards
“[…] ‘Pegasus’ was formed by Brother Makandal Daaga after a life-changing event at an Independence night party, on 31 August 1962. He was shocked when persons protested noisily, when the DJ put on the very first calypso for the night, shouting that it was not Carnival and for him to …
Read More »NJAC rededication: Gene Miles, Errol Pilgrim and Makandal Daaga come to the fore
“[…] Gene Miles’ evidence before Karl De La Bastide-led commission of enquiry exposed corruption in very high places. The one-man commissioner, Karl De La Bastide, recommended that all evidence recorded at the enquiry ‘should be, without delay, transmitted to the Public Service Commission’ to enable enforcing of ‘Disciplinary Laws of …
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