Tag Archives: societal change

Having just celebrated 64 years of independence, discussions as to whether Trinidad and Tobago is better off since gaining independence and if T&T could have done better have been at the fore. I have decided to add my voice to this debate for two reasons. First, as assistant professor at …

Some years ago, I lived and worked in Sierra Leone. I arrived in the capital, Freetown, just ten years after a decade-long civil war.  The war was brutal. According to estimates 50,000 – 75,000 died, 20,000 had limbs amputated, 2 – 2.5 million were displaced, and hundreds of thousands of …

In two years, I will be a pensioner myself. So when I say the upcoming budget must increase the old age pension, I’m not speaking from theory—I’m speaking from fear and genuine trepidation. Every week, I watch elderly men and women in the supermarket putting items back on the shelf. …

“[…] Neither African nor Indian communities benefit from this… In cases where division arises unintentionally, accountability must fall on leaders, organizers, media voices and political parties to clarify intent, calm tensions and redirect focus to the real issues. “But if division is deliberately stoked, then consequences must follow. Heads should …

Racial tensions are running high in Trinidad and Tobago at the moment. It is sad—heart-breaking really. Our “leaders” have descended into the language of c-words, n-words and percentages. But what about the T-word? Tolerance: that powerful watch word handed to us by our nation’s founders. Or togetherness: “together we aspire, …

A few years ago, Michal Teja captured hearts and titles with his hit song, DNA. At the time, I was living abroad and remember being moved by the line: “freedom in we DNA”. I was moved by that line as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts brewed, and what could be …

Three thousand dollars a month. That’s the minimum National Insurance pension a citizen receives after a lifetime of work. It’s also, for many, the difference between paying for food or medication in a given month—not both. A few weeks ago, more than 22,000 people shared, commented on, or followed my …

On 30 August 1962, speaking at a youth rally, Dr Eric Williams stated the now famous words: “You carry the future of Trinidad and Tobago in your school bags.” Dr Williams’ address linked our nation’s success directly to education and the development of our youth. And we have much to …

In 1937 Trinidad and Tobago, life was not easy. Worker abuse, underpayment of workers, and overt racism were not uncommon. The economy was in decline, affected by the great depression globally. Living standards of the working class fell considerably. Conditions were ripe for social unrest—and importantly, for change. There had …

“[…] I remember July 27, 1990—the fear, the uncertainty, the families gathered around radios and television sets. The attempted coup was not only violence against the state. It was also the eruption of tensions that had been gathering for years—exclusion, hardship, frustration, alienation and a widening distance between citizens and …

I write on behalf of the thousands of working men and women of Trinidad and Tobago who spent their entire productive lives contributing to the National Insurance Scheme, only to retire on a minimum pension of TT$3,000 per month. Three thousand dollars. That is what a lifetime of work is …

Monday morning, 5:45am, Curepe junction. Three maxis pass me—full. Fourth stops. Driver leans out: “Only Sa Wa.” I begged to get to Port of Spain. Got to work 20 minutes late again. Conductor short-changed me. I didn’t even bother to argue anymore. I understand why UNC supporters say rail costs …