“[…] This is not merely an issue of late bookings. It reflects a pattern of dysfunction and a laissez-faire—or as we say locally, vay ki vay—approach to administration by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA). “[…] This kind of uncertainty and improvisation has no place in the professional administration of sport, …
Read More »Dear Editor: None but ourselves can free our minds…
“[…] The psychological impact of long-term oppression can be devastating, leading to a cycle of poverty, social alienation, and continued subjugation. Mental slavery is not just an individual issue but a societal one, as communities and even entire nations can be affected by the lingering effects of colonialism, racism, and …
Read More »Dear Editor: Meritocracy myth—your surname and liming circle determines success in T&T
“[…] Social capital trumps educational capital every time. In Trinidad and Tobago’s business and politics, social capital—your surname, your old boys’ club, your Carnival band, your golf foursome—often outweighs your degree. “[…] Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t reward talent. It protects power. It preserves privilege. And it punishes those who try to …
Read More »Dear Editor: TTFA should come clean on relationship with radio station
“[…] We have a national senior men’s soccer team funded by Fifa, the government (my tax dollars), and private donors that pays for radio announcers’ travel and lodging to cover their games on a radio station that broadcasts those games and sells advertising. “This scenario raises important questions about media independence, conflict of interest, and …
Read More »Dear Editor: Gov’t must clamp down on police refusal to use bodycams, especially in current climate
“[…] When police officers disobey direct orders from superiors to wear body cameras, it is a serious breach of protocol and accountability. “[…] Police hierarchy should disclose when and why officers fail to wear body cams, especially during use-of-force incidents…” The following Letter to the Editor on the importance of …
Read More »Dear Editor: Time to bury thongs; let Carnival costumes return to bikini and beads
“[…] The modern thong and beads era, while bold and unapologetic, often leans too far into the realm of impracticality. The disappearing thong, in particular, vanishes in part into crevices of unknown depth, leaving little to the imagination and often sacrificing comfort for shock value. “The bikini, on the other hand, has …
Read More »Dear Editor: We can’t arrest our way out of crime; T&T must pull at the roots
“[…] Arresting and imprisoning individuals removes them from society, preventing them from committing more crimes while incarcerated. But there are hundreds more to take their place, who are likely to never face arrest or imprisonment. “Research shows that while punitive measures can temporarily reduce crime, they often fail to address …
Read More »Orson: How to break chains of mental slavery—including pressure of social media
“[…] The term ‘mental slavery’ suggests that even after physical chains have been broken, the psychological and cultural chains imposed by centuries of oppression can persist. “These chains are manifested in the form of internalized racism, self-doubt, and a sense of inferiority that can be deeply ingrained in the consciousness …
Read More »Dear Editor: FULs could also terrorise women in domestic violence cases
“[…] The presence of firearms in a household where there is a history of domestic violence increases the risk of lethal outcomes. “[…] The use of firearms by abusers in cases of domestic violence can extend beyond fatal outcomes. Firearms can be employed as tools to exert control, intimidate, and …
Read More »Dear Editor: Why I’m wary of triumvirate of Griffith, Warner and Kamla
“[…] We now have the triumvirate or the three-headed Hydra of Gary Griffith, Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar. One was police commissioner whose response to the beating death of an accused in custody while he was commissioner was: ‘he fell off a chair’. “[…] The other (a one-time acting prime …
Read More »Dear Editor: Community policing can be “effective strategy”; but here’s why it’s not working yet
“[…] Communities are diverse, and their needs and challenges can vary significantly. Addressing complex social issues such as poverty, drug abuse, mental health, or gang violence requires a holistic approach involving multiple agencies, organizations, and resources beyond the scope of traditional policing. “[…] Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of community …
Read More »Dear Editor: Here’s why communities protest police killings more than murders
“[…] Police officers represent the state and are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and serve the community. When a citizen is killed by the police, it can be perceived as an abuse of power, eroding trust between the authorities and the public. “Protests can serve as a way for …
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