Difference between tribalism and racism

THE EDITOR: Former prime minister Basdeo Panday has expressed the view that “inequities in the political system” must first be addressed and resolved if we are to deal successfully with racism.

I write to suggest that there is a difference between tribalism in politics, with its political patronage, and racism.

The diversity of tribes in TT is an asset, rather than a liability, since it challenges our thinkers to forge a power-sharing political system which can accommodate all tribes on the basis of tribal equality, and can do so in a way which replaces rivalry with harmony in inter-tribal relations.

At least Panday, and the political party which he founded, have offered their views on this subject, proposing constitutional reform. Even though inadequate, his proposal still constitutes a laudable effort to address the problem.

The PNM, on the other hand, seems bereft of any capacity to even recognise the problem. Hence, it has offered nothing by way of addressing the problem of inequities in the political system, ie, the politics of tribal patronage, to which Panday has directed attention.

I offer the view that racism in TT, as in the modern west, has different roots. Contemporary racism traces its origin to the beginning of history with the claim of some to have been born superior to others. It is this arrogant jingoistic claim to be a “chosen people” with a birth-right of superiority over others which must be recognised as the root of racism, and which must be denounced by all right-thinking people. It is not just arrogant, it is also dangerously false, and now threatens us with another world war.

The religion of Islam has declared that all of mankind will stand before the Lord God on Judgment Day “as equal in His sight as are the teeth of a comb.”

IMRAN N HOSEIN

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