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.