Every Creed and Race Find an Equal Place… LOL!

Ironically, the blog post I planned to write today was supposed to be about racism and governmental politics in Trinidad and Tobago. I had the title and everything; “Twin Taboo, Twin Island”. The perspective of this post was supposed to be centered on the idea that Racism and Governmental politics are still taboo in an island fifty-two years into Independence. Unashamedly.

I shared these exact sentiments:

“As we grapple with divisive elements in the society that seem to thrive on fomenting mistrust between our two main ethnic groups, I take comfort in the fact that for the vast majority of our people, especially the young, racialism and racism have little space in Trinidad and Tobago.” (Shah, 2014, n.p.)

Taboo? Racism having little space in T&T? The joke of the year!

On my way to my apartment this afternoon, the universe aligned to give me a wakeup call to the issue of Race in Trinidad. It’s as if the universe read my blog plan and decided to intervene before I put finger to keypad and produce a naïve piece.

Race isn’t Taboo in Trinidad! The Universe knows it, you know it… and now even I know it. In my 21 years of life, I now know this! Was my ignorance really bliss? And now that the daydream is over, I question my place in this world. Is there any place for an anti-racist here?

I was given the shock of my life sitting in the backseat of a car this evening! My friend was in the front seat and her boyfriend was the driver. Approaching a traffic light, a young woman of African descent attempted to cross the road after misreading that the car was coming to a stop. She stopped and recoiled realizing she was wrong and laughed it off. Then there it was. “…fu**ing n**ga”.

I stopped breathing.

As my heart attempted to resuscitate itself, the aftershock came. “Daz why I doh like dem yuh kno!”

Well Jesus take the wheel!!!

I felt nauseous. Weak. My mind shut down and my lips shut up. I had a mental breakdown and an anxiety attack simultaneously. Upon regaining some consciousness, I managed to inform my friend that I wished to drop off at my apartment immediately. I considered dropping out right there in Curepe and navigating my way to my St. Augustine apartment, but this racist was not worth my life.

Racism transcends all borders in Trinidad and Tobago. Old, young, gay, straight, male, female. There is unity in racism! It’s not just the “common folk”, but the “elite” as well. As Standem noted, ” Racism is demonic and these politicians know how to evoke emotions in their supporters.” (2013 ,p.36)

This racist fiasco involving a State Board Member, ahem, *former* State Board Member occurred a year ago, yet only surfaced recently. The picture says a thousand words. Unfortunately these words are singing a sad song for Humanity and the most important Race- The Human Race.

My emotions are interrupting the flow of this post but sadly, the issue of racism in Trinidad and Tobago is a  renewable resource. Don’t be surprised if another post is shared on this very issue, in a more composed manner. Until then, remember that in this century of knowledge and smartphones, being racist only proves your ignorance and stupidity.

References:

Nantambu, K. (2015, March 19). Race versus Ethnicity in T&T. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=8667 

Shah, R. (2014, April 14). Brotherhood that Transcends Race. Retrieved March 24, 2015, from http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=8134#more-8134

Standem, M. (2013). The Demonization of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – The Satanic Verses. Lulu.com.