Youth and politics in TT

THE EDITOR: TT post-covid19 will face unprecedented challenges. Carnival with its lucrative fetes and concerts will be different, food importation will be challenging, requiring more local production, and the Government’s reliance on income from the energy sector will have to be restructured.

These challenges, as difficult as they may seem, can be effectively overcome with unity and, more importantly, with contributions from our young population. The images of old wise people charting the way of the world is more fictional that reality.

Throughout the history of mankind, some of the major changes have come from our young or middle-age people.

Columbus was 41 when he set sail for the new world, Dr Eric Williams was 45 when he formed the People’s National Movement, Makandal Daaga was 34 when he entered politics, at 35 Brian Lara set a world record in cricket, Einstein started his thoughts on relativity at age 16 and produced most of his major papers by age 40, Muhammad revealed his vision of the Koran at age 40, Bill Gates started Microsoft at age 23 and Jesus Christ started and ended his evangelism between 30 and 33 years old.

A few nights ago, my daughter showed me a paper that one of her friends wrote on the racial conundrum facing America. It was incisive, unique, and professionally researched. It clearly indicated that our young people are highly intelligent and aware of world events.

Our young people have changed our Carnival, with mobile bars, toilet facilities and an all-inclusive package that attract youths from all over the world.

Whenever I share my thoughts of water distribution that can ensure every family in TT has access to a reliable supply within two years, the youths understand while many of the older population see it as a dream. Young people see possibilities where older people see caution and problems.

The reality is we need the energy, uncontaminated ideas, innocence, bravery, intelligence, and innovativeness of our young people to chart a bright future for the country. The challenge is to motivate them to get involved. There are many youths in politics intent on maintaining the status quo.

These however may not be the majority.

In my discussion with youths throughout TT they prefer to stay far from politics. Many see politics as a bad thing. It is through politics, however, that meaningful change is possible.

If our young people require better classrooms, access to business capital, affordable housing, meaningful employment opportunities, recognition of their contribution to the arts and reduced criminal activity in their communities the solutions may very likely be through the avenue of politics.

A people consumed with staying in power at any cost, maintaining a divisiveness among our population for political expediency and deeply committed to racial dominance cannot be the solution to the challenges facing our nation.

The dream of safe communities, a viable long-term economic plan, modern infrastructure for water and transport, new employment opportunities and an innovative way to live in a post-covid19 world can only be realised if we are able to tap into our valuable resource of youth.

The parties that comprise the Better United group is dedicated to providing the platform and structure for our youths to not only participate but to call their own. This election can be the change we longed for. This election can see the end of racial voting and representation for the few.

All of this is possible if the youth of our nation decide to participate and rebuild our land. Welcome to Better United youths. Let us do this, let us make it happen.

STEVE ALVAREZ

political leader

DPTT, member

of Better United