DOING A GOOD DEED FOR MY COUNTRY

"BIGGING UP" TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

 

As this is my last blog for the class, (a silent cheer) I wondered which topic should I choose- there are so many things to still blog about, then I thought “What about a blog dealing with doing good deeds for my country, Trinidad and Tobago?”

 

 "Together, the various groups in Trinidad and Tobago have suffered, together they have aspired, together they have achieved. Only together can they succeed. And only together can they build a society, can they build a nation, can they build a homeland. There can be no Mother India, for those whose ancestors came from India....there can be no Mother Africa, for those of African origin. There can be no Mother England and no dual loyalties.....There can be no Mother China, even if one could agree as to which China is the Mother; and there can be no Mother Syria and no Mother Lebanon. A nation, like an individual, can have only one Mother. The only Mother we recognize is Mother Trinidad and Tobago, and Mother cannot discriminate between her children."

 

Dr. Eric Williams, History of Trinidad and Tobago. (The First Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago)

 

There are many great songs/videos about Trinidad and Tobago, to name a few:

-"God Bless Our Nation" by Majorie Padmore

-"Portrait of Trinidad" by the Mighty Sniper (Mervyn Hodge)

-"Our Nation's Dawning" by G. Carlton Sampson

-"Trini to de bone" and "Ganges meets the Nile" by David Rudder.

-"Jahaji Bhai- Brotherhood of the Boat" by Brother Marvin

-"Nah Leaving" by Denise Plummer

 

However, I selected the following video "Trinbagonian Way"  by Isaac Dasent because he wrote this song for the same reasons that I am writing this blog-his family, living in the United States of America, had bad talked  Trinidad and Tobago and this was his response.

 

Well in my case, it was my two (2) cousins living in Toronto, Canada, (who mind you, were born, bred and educated up to secondary school level, right here in Trinidad), who had given me a call.

They spoke of every negative aspect of Trinidad- the crime rate, the poor health service, the flooding, the terrible customer service, the behaviour of our elected leaders, especially with the current hunger strike issue, etc and that they were so glad they left this God-forsaken country; this hellhole to use their words.

 

Initially, I decided to say nothing, because I had grown accustomed to this type of behavior anytime they called  us. At first, I bit my lip but then I told them- “Enough is enough.  Stop bad-talking my country. Trinidad and Tobago like any other country has its issues, its negative side, there are lots of areas that need improvement, yes...but THIS IS MY HOME…MY LAND…MY COUNTRY."

 

I decided to use this blog to do a good deed for my country- to express my love for my country.

  

Many people, especially those who have left our shores like to speak negatively about Trinidad and Tobago. Even persons who live here, especially depending on which side of the political divide they support, like to focus on the negative aspects. (I am sure we have all experienced this at some time or the other.)

Yes, I know that we as a country have many problems that need improving :-governance, crime, traffic, health,  and many other social and physical issues etc. Yes, I know...the list can go on and on.

 

But this blog is not about that...this blog is about the positive things that are still evident here in my country.

 

We are a boiling pot (a callaloo) of different peoples who came here from various origins, all who have brought our own histories, cultures and culinary delights, etc.

The food- because of the influences of the various cultures, we can boast of a variety of food that is uncommon throughout the rest of the Caribbean. How many of us enjoy a "doubles" as part of our daily breakfast. (or even lunch, especially during the week before month-end) Athough it seems like nowadays  "yuh cud get ah planass" when you are buying doubles, but we not focusing on that in this blog...we "bigging up" Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 

The culture- we have a vibrant and colourful cultural heritage, with calypso, soca, chutney and the steelpan (the only new acoustic musical instrument to be invented and accepted worldwide in the 20th Century) being founded, yes...right here in Trinidad and Tobago. Our music is energetic and lively and I doubt there is anyone who would have gone to a wedding or a party and hear "De Black man feeling to party" by Black Stalin and did not get up and dance. Also, Christmas is upon us and you know how we love our parang...Rest in Peace Daisy Voisin.

I cannot write about our culture and not mention Carnival, our two-day (and more) ultimate celebration of wild abandonment, enjoyment  and great creativity.

 Also, because of the different ethnic and religious  groups that reside in this country, we all can enjoy different festivals ( Divali, Emancipation Day, Eid Ul Fitr, Shouter Baptist etc)

 

Tourist Sites and Attractions- There are many notable tourist attractions in our twin-island, for example: Asa Wright Nature Centre, Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool, The Pitch Lake, Gasparee caves, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, to name a few.

 

 

 

Our Economy- We are one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the Caribbean and are listed in the top 66 High Income Countries in the world. (I know...better management is needed here by our elected leaders.)

 

There are still many other things that we can celebrate and be proud of about right here in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Although we are losing most our "long-time values”; as I had mentioned in one of my earlier blogs; when compared to many first world countries, we still have that caring and community spirit, which is even more evident in the so-called  “country areas.” (Go there for this Christmas season and you will see for yourself.)

 

How many of us have initiated a conversation with a complete stranger, whilst waiting on the bus etc ? (although I know we are losing that...a pity.)

 

How many of us, when we feel to "turn down de pot", can visit a friend (without even calling first) and know that we will part-take in a home-cooked meal?

 

I know that we can be a bit lawless on the streets (well..ok...much more than "a bit") but I am sure that this has happened to many of us, especially the women- anytime I have a problem with my car, there is always someone willing to assist. ( Who says chivalry is dead?)

How many of us can remember that day when the Soca Warriers got the chance to go to  the Worldcup Finals 2006…Where were you that day? Which person you didn’t know and you still hug them up?  Which bar/rumshop you went into and "real jump up and wine down de place"…(Although, up to now, I think, some monies are still owed to the players...but we not focusing on that today...we "bigging up" Trinidad and Tobago)

 

Remember when Brian Charles Lara broke the Test Cricket record first in 1994 and then reclaimed in 2004...WOW!...what a remarkable feat...

 

Even the Beauty Queens (although I have my own opinion on that competition)...how we felt when they won their crowns.

 

Also in very recent times, we celebrated our own Toco "golden" son Keshan Walcott at the 2012 Olympic Games …Do you remember how you felt when our National Anthem was played as he received his Gold medal?...How many of us stood at attention, with our eyes glued to the television?...and we must not forget Hasley  Crawford, our very first gold medalist, and certainly, there are many other who excelled in the sporting arena. (Big up to all ah dem.)

 

I must also mention Sir V.S. Naipaul who was awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature (2001) and there are also many others who made us all feel proud.

 

YES!...There are so many things  for which we can be thankful and sing praises about in this beautiful country, and  this list can go on and on, but I don't want to write too much .(allyuh done know ah like to write...anyway, is de last blog...ha ha.)

 

Trinidad and Tobago is not a perfect country...I know, we are not perfect…but, we can still all have a good life here...once we try....

 

Let us all do a good deed for this beloved country- in what ever capacity or role we have to play on this stage of Trinidad and Tobago...is we country.

 

 

To use the words of the Father of this nation, Dr.Eric Eustace Williams: "In our view, the development of this country rests ultimately with our people and their collective effort." .

 

If you are working in a grocery- don’t pack the fruits/produce with the damaged side down (to hide it) and still put in on the shelf for sale.  This also goes for the cook/chef in a food outlet, don't put extra seasoning on the soon-to-be spoilt meat to mask it...throw it away.

 

If you are a vendor, don't  advertise something and then knowingly  sell something else. (Giving a shout out to some of my bake-and-shark vendors who advertise bake and shark but instead sell bake and catfish/or whatever other types...be honest...do a good deed for our country.  I don’t even want to mention the time when “dog meat” was allegedly being sold…another blog… "ah wonder if ah well eat ah dog roti or dog in oyster sauce?...oh gosh...ah doh even want to think about dat.")

 

If you are a market vendor, one pound is equal to sixteen ounces - NOT thirteen and a half or even fifteen ounces. (fix yuh scale, if yuh know what ah mean)

 

If you are employed in an office and you have to deal with the public, be polite, respectful and patient, especially to our senior citizens.

If you are in a supervisory/management position, treat the persons who report to you, fairly and with respect.
 

If you are a parent, take the time in developing the minds and values of your children, remember they are the future of this beloved nation.

 

If you are a teacher…treat the children as if they are your very own.

 

If you are a  hunter, hunt only during the permitted season...remember we need to maintain our wildlife.

 

If you are a farmer, don't overdo with the pesticides on your crops...remember we have to eat your produce.

 

If you go on a "lime" by the river or the beach etc, clean up before you leave (Please, take care of the environment.)

 

If you are a driver on our streets, drive carefully and defensively...no need to speed. (yuh go still reach where yuh going...and in one piece)

 

If you are in a conversation, whereby racist and discriminatory remarks are being made, speak up and don’t support that topic. (All ah we belong rite here...is all ah we country.)

 

If you are a politician, well…hmmm...well...you know what you have to do...and

 

If you are the Prime Minister, to use your own words..."Serve the people...serve the people...serve the people."

 

This can go on…I know...( last blog ...ah want to end with ah bang...ha ha) it is important to know and be reminded that wherever you are, we all have our part to play in the development of this beautiful country.

 

Take pride and do a good deed for our Trinidad and Tobago. (Big-up dis country.)

 

We all love to party, so I decided to end my blog with another of my favourite songs/vidoes about Trinidad and Tobago - "Ah is ah Trini" by Benjai...

 

"Where we from...

We from Trinidad and Tobago"

Enjoy…

 

Thank you to all who have read my blog...Thank you for your kind words and compliments....

 

DO A GOOD DEED FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY- TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO....

 

 

 

 

DOING A GOOD DEED FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS, EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO STAND ALONE…

 

 I dedicate this blog to Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh...

 

“The day we see truth and cease to speak is the day we begin to die.” Martin Luther King

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Elie Wiesel

This week I had initially decided that my topic would have been based on doing good deeds for our lovers, but when the incident of the hunger strike by Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh kept appearing in the media, be it television, newspapers etc  I felt moved and obligated to change my focus and make the issue of supporting those who choose to stand up for their rights, even if they stand alone, my new topic.

My initial reaction when I heard/read about Dr. Kublalsingh’s decision to go on a hunger strike was:-“Does this man really know what he is doing?” This type of behavior is not the norm in Trinidad and Tobago. Here, we burn tyres, we make noise, we march up and down the streets-chanting and dancing. Going on a hunger strike is certainly not the norm- I can remember Lincoln Myers (NAR Minister)  going on one sometime in the 1980's. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)

I heard various remarks from friends/coworkers, for example: “But this man crazy or what?”; “He not even living there.”; “I will never do that.” and “Look, the others around him eating, I sure he eating something in the night.” etc. There were other voices, though fewer, who were more supportive and but were still sceptical about any favorable response from the Government.

I listened to all the various views and I will say, that there was something inside of me that just admired the man. I admired that he was willing to protest for his values and beliefs…a silent protest (well, except for the time he dealt with the Minister of Health). I admired that he was not afraid to stand up for what he thought was right, even if he had to do it alone.

I will not use this blog to state my opinion on the issue of the Point Fortin Highway, for as Sunity Maharaj, Editior of the Express Newspaper, writes in Editorial in this Sunday’s Edition(November 25, 2012) - Open letter to the PM and Dr K- ”Despite the passions stirred by the Point Fortin Highway, it is obvious that very few people have the facts about this $7 billion-plus project, the costliest expansion of infrastructure in this country's history.”

I, like many other Trinidadians, do not have the facts. But I wanted to make a statement…I wanted to do a “good deed” for this man…I wanted to let him know that I admired him.

It was on the Sunday night news, when he made the call for members of the public to come join him, I accepted the invitation and made the decision to go and meet with the man.

So the next day, (Monday 26, November 2012) I went to the location - outside the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair. I arrived at approximately 10:15 am and stood there in silent prayer. Dr. Kublalsingh who was not present at that time, came around 11:20 am. He looked so frail and weak and needed the assistance of his nurse to walk.  Yet, I must say that there was something about him that seemed very strong. The media swarmed around him, so I never got a chance to speak with him. I left five (5) minutes later, because I had to attend my classes at COSTAATT.

At the Institution, whilst we were waiting on the lecturer, I informed my classmates about my experience and a discussion about Dr. Kublalsingh started. The views were varied, some supporting, some disagreeing. When the lecturer arrived and started her session, I just could not concentrate and I requested her permission to leave the class early.

When I returned to the site, it was difficult to get close to the Doctor, who was still surrounded by the Media; also there was the ex Prime Minister Mr. Basdeo Panday, who had everyone around laughing, with his unique sense of humor.

Fortunately for me, Sargeant Wayne Mystar came on the scene and the media flocked towards him, creating the opportunity for me to finally meet with the Doctor. The only persons left around him were a few women from the Re-route Movement, who were cooling his body with damp towels. Initially I was a bit apprehensive (I really don’t know why.) but I put aside my fears and stepped up to him, extending my hand. I held his left hand and said in his ear: “May the Almighty continue to protect you.” and I kissed him on his cheek. It was very touching and emotional and the tears rolled down my cheeks, to which he responded: “Thank you, Miss, but please don’t cry.” I gently squeezed his hand and quietly walked away, leaving the area. 

Those few minutes I spent with him…with the extension of my hand...I gave him my support…I gave him my love.

 

Later on in the day I reflected on the entire incident, and to me, regardless, if we agree or disagree with his opinion on the Highway re-route, he was still a human being and should be treated as such.

Are we such a complacent  people, that we can be so casual and indifferent about another human-being practically dying before our very eyes and  we can just shrug our shoulders and move on to something else? Many may say it is his choice. Yes it may be so. But should we just stand by and watch him die?

 

As I stated before, the average Trinidadian does not have all the information pertaining to this issue (and many other issues) and it appears that we are not very bothered by this lack of information...it seems as if it does not matter to us. It is as if: "Who really cares?"

We seem to be contented  and willing to accept anything that our elected Leaders do and tell us. Imagine a man is choosing to die for a cause, (whether his justification is right or wrong) and our Leaders, instead of dealing with the issues in a rational and humane manner, prefer to verbally attack the Doctor and his family.

If only our leaders can learn from this quote from Nelson Mandela: ”A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.”

 

In this blog,  I am not suggesting that we should all go on hunger strikes, but I would hope that we find some way, in our own way, to let our voices be heard.

Yesterday, some students at the University of the West Indies, together with some lecturers,  walked around the St. Augustine Campus, showing their solidarity for Dr. Kublalsingh.

As BOB MARLEY sang in his song "GET UP...STAND UP..."
 

"Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!"

We need to stand up for what we think  are our rights, even if it means we stand alone...even if it is not a popular choice.

We need to get up...stand up for what we believe…

It is very important to state again that  I am not endorsing any sort of violent or destructive behavior. There are many creative ways for "standing up" for one’s rights. Many great men have changed the course of society  by doing it their way, for example:-Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and Mahatma Ghandi.

They all "got up and stood up" for their rights- in their own ways.

Let us as fellow-human beings, instead of criticizing or making fun of those who choose to protest and stand up for their rights, especially if done in such a peaceful manner, try to do a "good deed" for them.

Let us create environments where individuals can feel free and comfortable  to express their opinions, even if it is different from ours. We should make ourselves more informed about issues of others, even if it does not directly affect us. We must try to understand people, for as Gregory Peck (as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird") says: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view." 

Do a good deed for those individuals...those individuals who are willing to stand up for what they believe, even if it means they have to go it alone.
Let us show them that they are not alone.

"First they ignore you.

Then they laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then you win." ~ Gandhi

 May God continue to bless and protect you, Doctor Wayne Kublalsingh.

DOING A GOOD DEED FOR OUR PAST.

DOING A GOOD DEED FOR OUR ELDERS.

I would like to dedicate this blog to the following persons: my grandparents (both maternal and paternal) and my dad, who are all deceased; my mother (Mammy) who is presently seventy-eight (78) years old and all the other elderly persons in my life.

Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members. Pearl S. Buck

This week again, I am starting my blog with a video (Old Time Days by Richard Nappy Mayers)- another beautifully composed song by one of our local greats.

 

 

"Bring back the old time days

Bring back them old time ways

I know everything must change

But I still love the old time days."

Personally, I don’t think he was talking about bringing back all things from years gone by. I would like to think that he was talking about the old time values that are so quickly being lost.

Last week, even though I had a very busy schedule, I decided to make some time to spend with my seventy eight years old mother, Mammy, as I so lovingly call her. She is a retired primary school teacher and a very strict disciplinarian, who, thankfully :) has mellowed throughout the years. I also encouraged my two daughters to sit in the conversation, so that they would know what life was like back then in Trinidad and Tobago and to also be aware of the many privileges that they presently have and take for granted.

I must state that I am not a delinguent daughter, for I see my mom regularly. It is just we never really get chance to chat,  for her to tell  me about her childhood, her life... 

 

She said, of course, that growing up “life was hard" but those were times that she will always cherish. She remembered having to “tote water" from the river, where the family would also wash their clothes.

 

Meat, mostly chicken, was only a Sunday lunch luxury and the only exception for meat during the week was when one of the “yard fowls got knocked down by a vehicle".

 

She recalled the creativity of her own mom (my deceased grandmother, who we called “Mama”) using the big cloth bags that was used to store the flour, washing and then dyeing the bags to make school clothes for them. Even when clothes were donated to the family, Mama would skillfully convert/redesign them so that even the donors did not recognize the clothes.

Although life was hard, there was always something to eat, no matter how simple, because everyone in the village used to “make garden” and they would  all share their harvest.

(Chemical–free, what we refer to now as “organic”)

Since there was no television, neighbours used to gather at each other homes in the evenings to talk about current issues. The adults spoke "patois" so the children would not understand what they were talking about. (That was gossiping-time.) My mom remembered that there were lots of interaction (and laughter) amongst the neigbours. Each adult in the community had the same “rights” as the parents and everyone played a role in the upbringing of the child.

As the African Proverb states “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Education was always stressed and important to the family because it was viewed as a way out of poverty. She said she grew up enjoying the simple things in her life and it made her more appreciative of small blessings, something she always tried to instill in us, her children.

I compared Mammy's life to my present life, which I know is similar to most individuals of my age-group. There is hardly  any time for communication at the family level.  Although, thinking about it, there is time, it is just that each person is more preoccupied in his/her own activities, be it tv-watching;cell-phone chatting; internet-surfing etc.  For most persons, there is a television/computer in every room, and this encourages each person to retreat to his/her own space.

Technology has its place, we know, but sometimes the abuse/overuse of it can result in not so favourable outcomes. We are slowly losing our interpersonal skills…our human connections.

Look at what happens for those of us who use public transport, the commuters in the bus or maxi taxis, would prefer to be chatting or texting on the cell phone for the entire trip, than to talk to  the person sitting next to them.

We seem to be a people who have no problem discarding the old (the past), in favour for something new. Take for example, the plastering of the walls of Lapeyrouse Cemetery, Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain. These walls which are nearly 200 years old are made of Laventille limestone. History…our history...our past....

 

I was happy that I got a chance to chat with Mammy about her childhood and her life. I was also happy that my two (2) daughters were also involved in learning something about my mom's life. I do hope they appreciate all the good things/opportunities they have in their lives. We have been meeting and chatting with Mammy about "de ole times days" more regularly ever since, and she just enjoys the chance to reminisce.

 

For those of you reading my blog, when was the last time, you sat with your parent(s), grandparent(s) or any elder(s) in your family/community  (if they are still alive ) and found out a bit more about their past?

 

If you still have a living elderly member of your family/community, I would kindly urge you, after reading this blog, to please give them a call. If they are next to you, give them a hug, treasure them…do not wait until it is too late.

Let us celebrate and do a good deed for our elders. They are the ones who pass down knowledge and wisdom to all of us. By celebrating our elders, we are celebrating our past, and creating our future.

 

Let us not lose the  “long time” values…the values of our elders...

Bring it back…bring it back…bring back the values of our past…of our elders….

 

A bit of humour...

"As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two..." - Sir Norman Wisdom

"When I was young I was called a rugged individualist. When I was in my fifties I was considered eccentric. Here I am doing and saying the same things I did then and I'm labeled senile." - George Burns

Let us  all do a “good deed” for  the elders in our lives.