Justice Frank Seepersad: Indentured Indians' 'Chinidad' paradise in peril

JUSTICE Frank Seepersad has said the “paradise” his indentured Indian ancestors found when they were brought to “Chinidad” is in peril.

Addressing the Citizen One Foundation (C1F) annual Heritage and Leadership Conference breakfast fellowship at the Passage to Asia Restaurant, Chaguanas, on Indian Arrival Day, Seepersad observed, “Crime is out of control, many are struggling to meet their basic daily requirements and there exists an unacceptable degree of divisiveness, dishonesty and disingenuous discourse.”

On an optimistic note, he told the audience, including Mahindra Maharaj, chair of the organising committee, that the paradise was not yet lost. He recommended a number of strategies that can be explored to save his “Papo’s” (maternal great-grandfather) paradise.

Seepersad called for reform of the Constitution, a national development plan to stop the pressing of the "reset button" every five years and, the formation of a race-relations committee, asserting diversity was the country’s greatest asset.

“The Constitution needs to be relevant and relatable and the antiquated administrative and electoral processes which currently exists have to be replaced by efficient, effective and practical systems which are designed to reflect our unique plurality, facilitate ease of business, foster economic growth and curb corruption in its many manifestations.

“Let us not delude ourselves, we must stop the pretence that all is well. How we vote is, with alarming frequency how we now live. We have become suspicious, unforgiving, mean, irrational and so divided that we are perched dangerously close to a precipitous edge.”

Seepersad suggested that with genuine bipartisan collaboration, “We should elect to formulate a national development plan and stop pressing the ‘reset button’ every five years."

He said the task would have its challenges, but suggested serious thought be given to the formation of a race-relations commission to explore and validate varied backgrounds, understand missteps, identify the correlation between racialised power and inherited colonial status quo and de-escalate the brewing racial tension.

“The commission, if formed, may wish to consult political parties, religious bodies, civic groups, business conglomerates and citizens so as to allay fears, alter entrenched perceptions, address cultural biases and identify the areas of engagement which require greater tolerance, equity and gender inclusivity.

“We have a lot to be proud about as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, but we have a lot of work ahead of us if we are to truly realise our fullest potential and preserve this paradise which all our ancestors cherished and revered.”

He said, far too often, issues and solutions were no longer addressed or formulated in a rational, logical or methodical manner. Instead, they are fashioned by considerations of class, ethnicity, lineage and affiliation.

“Our indentured forefathers overcame significant challenges, discrimination and prejudices, but they persevered and, in one generation, excelled.”

Seepersad said Indian Arrival Day should be a day of remembrance and reflection and serve to renew the resolve to protect and preserve this paradise in which their forefathers saw tremendous and unlimited potential.

He cautioned that society could implode if citizens could not reject the rancour and rhetoric aimed at division and which hindered peace, productivity, prosperity and progress.

“As a body of many varied races, standing side by side and in deference to our ancestors who taught us that no obstacle is insurmountable, each of us needs to understand that we must share this limited space and we have to co-operate and co-exist respectfully and responsibly.

“In defence of this, our native land, we must pledge ourselves to the altering of our current course and elect to traverse a path which is defined by honest engagement which transcends the ethnic, political, religious and social divide in an earnest attempt to transform TT into a nation where every creed and race truly finds an equal place.

“Our diversity is our greatest asset, as it enriches this nation. There is unity in diversity, not in uniformity. We are a rainbow people and we must trust, embrace and accept each other as we alter our thought patterns, private conversations and modes of interaction to ensure that we live and work together harmoniously.”

Seepersad called for collaboration and co-operation to craft a common "Trinbagonian" identity, without compromising the heritage and traditions of the ancestors.

“Once we are united we will be unstoppable.”