"The Caribbean today is characterized by grave intolerance and mistrust at all levels."

The Caribbean today is characterized by grave intolerance and mistrust at all levels.” Reading this statement, there are a few thoughts that come to mind. In this blog we explore our history, society and concepts of identity and reflect it back to our initial statement “The Caribbean today is characterized by grave intolerance and mistrust at all levels.”

 “Every creed and race find an equal place…” (Trinidad and Tobago’s nation anthem) , a line sang by all nationals at some point in their life, a line that supposed to represent the unison of tradition, history and beliefs of a nation and its people, has never been fully embrace since the day it was written in 1962.

Sun, sand and racism. Even in our modern day society, races are still divided, despite many mile stones made in an effort to unify one another. Racism is one of the major reasons for people’s intolerance and mistrust. Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics (ADL 2019). It is perpetuated by the social institutions. It can also be coupled with culture; a group’s shared behaviour and values, and heavily affects how our society is run.

One article in the Trinidad and Tobago’s Guardian Newspaper spoke on African Trinidadians as a population. In its contents, spoke about suspicions of how people view AfricanTT. “I suspect many people view the status of AfricanTT through the discoloured lens of crime…that’s why some view crime as a ‘black’ subculture” (Drayton A20) It goes on to state how the “black boys” in “hotspots” had no monopoly in crime and “There is a discrepancy between ingrained notions and today’s realities, stemming from the days of slavery and the planter elite who branded Africans irresponsible… to justify brutality…” (Drayton A20). The articles sums up many of the racial profiling and prejudice experienced by African Trinidadians. “Africans descent are lesser achievers among equals…” (Drayton A20).

On the other hand, there has been numerous attempts at moving past our dated views on race. There have been rallies, movements, protests even plays, like Bitter Cassava written by Dr Lester Wilkinson, which was stages at Little Carib Theatre, Woodbrook, a place we know Beryl McBurnie fought tooth and nail to keep alive despite facing racism and colourism at the time. The play like many other explores racism and is regarded as an excellent way of assisting others in visualizing and understanding how racism has harmed many and continues to harm. Creative groups such as this provide a means of strengthening intercultural understanding through the arts. Mixing of our different ethnic holidays and celebrations show a certain level of tolerance in our culture. Mixing of different races (miscegenation) through marriage and other means also shows a break in cultural and ethnic barriers.

Politics to many, is a dreaded topic that would much rather be avoided on any level. In Trinidad and Tobago it is considered by many to be a ‘messy’ topic considering that it is suspected that on many occasions any given political party running for election, would win solely based on race and empty promises. Politics and governance is also a major contributor of intolerance and principally, mistrust. An example can be of the soon-to-be Curepe Interchange, where in an article on it, speaks of the Government actions, describing it as “inhumane” and “draconian”. The article reflected a businessman’s views stating “when Government and Ministry of Transport representatives communicated with them, they were condescending, talking down to them and being berating them…residents mistrusted the government and officials as they were evasive, residents received no straight forward answers…” (Kong Soo A12). In the full article it is clear as to why residents would have been so mistrusting when all along they were being ‘bullied’ and dealt with in a demeaning way. The article also presented that the Government did not have residents best interest at heart, besides displacing families who have been living there for up to four generations, displacing older folk in a time of questionable health, multiple businesses offering owners “one-fifth and in some cases one-third the valuation on their properties” (Kong Soo A12).

“I have recognised, too, that criminality among the affluent gets treated with kitty gloves by the very lawmakers/enforcers entrusted with the authority to deal with the ‘lower level’ criminals on our behalf, increasing our national mistrust of politicians parliamentarians and police, et al” (Ravello A26) Here, Ms. Ravello speaks on how the judicial system works only for “lower level” criminals which creates an entire new level of mistrust among citizens of the ‘lower class’ as they may not believe they will be awarded justice where justice is due, because of criminal’s affluences.

However, the country cannot run smoothly without our much disliked politics and politicians. To every case, there is almost always a good to the bad. One of the Government’s most important role is creating laws. It governs how we live as a society. Yes, there are downsides, yes, there are endless stories of government officials abusing power but regardless of the few ‘rotten eggs’ in the bunch, there are many working towards a better future for this country. Despite popular belief, politics and governments are what keep our country (and all others) going. Without it we would not have jobs, transport, medical care, food, international relation and so much more. It goes without saying the most powerful individuals in country are the citizens not the heads of state, but without our able-minded politicians to take up the job of running an entire country, we would probably literally burn to the ground. In many cases, politics actually helps gain trust of many individuals and even bring us together (e.g. persons sharing similar political views). With proper governance mistrust and intolerance is almost non-existent.

Mistrust. A word used time and time again in describing those whose chief purpose is “TO PROTECT AND SERVE WITH PRIDE”. There are many instances where the Police of Trinidad and Tobago are associated with mistrust and intolerance. The mistrust and intolerance shares many characteristics with that of politics and governance.

The national lotus theatre hosted a two-hour play focused on “public mistrust of the police service, organised crime in T&T and implications crime can have on family” (Boodan A20). Again we see that the arts are a major part in expression in our society and is utilised in all aspects; education, recreation, art, cultural pride etc. The article entitled “Corruption on stage” is one of many ways people have found to broadcast their feelings of mistrust and intolerance. Spoken word poetry has also become quite popular as an entertaining and eye opening form of expression via freedom of speech.

 “It is evident that in this society there is not only a war which is unfolding by criminals…but there is war raging with the Police Service where there are errant dishonest and criminally-inclined police officers…bringing the service into disrepute and causing irreparable harm and damage to the public’s confidence…” (Wilson A9). This extract can be viewed both ways. On one hand, there are always dishonest, corrupt individuals in the public sector, making it difficult for citizens to trust, assist and support police. One must consider all scenarios in perilous times as this. Therefore, incidents like this, as stated in the article, cause mistrust and intolerance towards police and from them. As both sides become distrustful, intolerance is established on both sides, leading to cases of police brutality and no reduction in crime as the public willingness to assist would decline.

In the same article, it also stated that these “errant dishonest and criminally-inclined police officers” are in the minority and that this was an isolated case, inferring that the majority of the police service is here ‘to protect and serve with pride’. These cases however do pose a major threat in terms of trust and tolerance. Unfortunately, cases like these are often more heavily critiqued than instances where good was done by the Police Service.

On a daily basis they are both hated and praised. As recent as today, within the first few pages of the Guardian Newspaper, two contrasting stories both relating to the Police. “Soldier arrested for sexual assault of 12-year-old boy” reads the title with just below it “Carapichaima man shot dead by police” (Christopher A5). In one story the police are applauded for their work in finding the man responsible for this heinous crime. The other, by accounts of the dead man’s family, “relatives are calling for justice, ‘Whatever the police saying it’s not true…’” (Christopher A5) saying the police are being dishonest. In the article police were allegedly shot at, while the family states that the victim had no weapon and was killed wrongfully. Instances like this creates mistrust and intolerance from public. Who do we believe? When there have been instances where police where caught fabricating evidence as well as family misguiding the public with false information in hopes that the outrage caused will give them the advantage in the case. This as well, ties back to mistrust in politics.

Mistrust and intolerance takes many shapes and forms in a society, whether it’s the justice system, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, colonialism or race. In our society, much of it stems from our colonial and slavery days and the stigma it left is yet to be broken. One can only hope that the Caribbean one day reaches its full potential.