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....