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Congratulations to the people of Trinidad and Tobago on a relatively peaceful and safe electoral process. Now that the ‘carnival is over’, to quote the late great, grandmaster: let’s see who is who, and who is made of what.
Like many, I too anticipated the change—though I did not think the shift would be as seismic.
A drowning nation needs CPR to be administered immediately. There is no time for a honeymoon period. The new PM must hit the ground running, as we say.
Many of us have concerns we would like to see addressed immediately, if not sooner. Depending on where one sits, our concerns would differ.
Expectedly, there are some common concerns, like roads, infrastructure, water, crime, etc. These issues affect us all, regardless of the road conditions where one resides.
Then there are the personal concerns, like say, forex shortages. Such concerns would affect citizens wishing to travel abroad, small, and medium-sized businesses etc.
Copyright: TTPS.
A much smaller but concerned segment of society would have concerns which are nationalistic. I place myself within this group. Addressing these concerns would require long-term conversations, beginning today and continuing into the next five years, and beyond.
A colleague of mine on social media, Guy Jared Tamby, just posted that: “We have entered a new era and our conversation has to change. Let’s change the way we define each other.”
I love this. I added: “Let’s change the way we define ‘ourselves’. Trinis first! Not Indians, Africans, Douglas, Chinese, Syrians…”
That small, seemingly insignificant change will go a long way in the conversation. It could be the conjunctions that hold the conversation together.
Photo: TTFA Media.
I recognize the many challenges this incoming regime faces. A primary one is that of it being a coalition of sorts. Holding this coalition together is central.
While the dominant partner in this coalition can get carried away, many people would have supported team yellow primarily because of the coalition. The experiences from the PPP government still linger in the air.
There are no big mes and small yous here. Everyone at the table must be granted equal respect.
Photo: UNC.
This, evidently, is much easier said than done. Governments formed of coalition also tend to collapse.
Should they manage to hold the coalition together there are many things which can be accomplished. Trinidad and Tobago is a semi-pluralistic society. As such, alienating any one segment of the population—for any reason, real or perceived, as has been practiced in the past—is a dangerous road to continue along. That road needs to be abandoned, yesterday.
The era of “Doctor Politics”, as has been practiced here for generations, must come to an end. While it was initiated under Dr Eric Williams, it must cease with Dr Keith Rowley.
Photo: OPM.
At no point in history has our people been as informed as they are today. The days of rum and roti politics has come to an end. The days of a road paving two-weeks prior to an election, combined with a promise wrapped in a jersey and a ‘shake hand’, must also cease. We are at the threshold of a new era.
This new era must be welcomed. We must also demonstrate our willingness to deal with our divisive and rancid past. People must be held accountable for their behavior, especially those who were entrusted over the years with the nation’s resources.
The adage “to whom much is given much is expected” must be applied across the board, colorblind. After all, the scales of justice come with a blindfold.
(via TTPS.)
For a tiny nation, as rich as ours, to be experiencing the level of poverty and disenfranchisement, crossing ethnic and cultural barriers, for such an extended period, cannot be accidental.
When 30% or more of our population live below the poverty line, while another 65% or thereabouts survive from paycheck to paycheck, I cannot be convinced that any of this is accidental, especially given our national budgets.
We can also question if it is accidental or coincidental that while the nation’s masses have been experiencing “sufferation”, banks and large conglomerates have been raking in millions in profits, quarterly.
Call me idealistic if you may. But I awoke this morning, the 29th of April 2025, suddenly seeing hope for my two granddaughters.
After experiencing a sense of hopelessness for the past 10 years, I awoke, invigorated, and once again willing to make whatever my little contribution is to the whole. I am only willing to do this if I am convinced that the confidence the people placed in this current government is real and wasn’t just a color change.
Proof of this is required and would come only when I see individuals investigated and charged. For too long charlatans, garbed in colored political outfits have become multi-millionaires while hiding behind false promises.
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Rudy Chato Paul, Sr, is passionate about gardening, music and writing and boasts post-graduate certification in Anthropology, Criminology and Sociology. He also studied Theology, which is why he is actively seeking to make Trinidad a better place rather than waiting for divine intervention.
