Narratives of love and hate

Once upon a time there was a small branch of RIK Services Ltd Trinidad Bookworld in Gulf City Mall, Lowlands, Tobago.

I do not know why that branch closed its doors some years ago, leaving the island with no bookstore carrying a varied stock of literature (fact and fiction) and stationery.

I guess that RIK was not receiving much patronage, and, with a potentially small market of people on the island who might enjoy reading, or who are able to read, who want to spend hard-earned money on books (as opposed to paying bills, buying food) or who borrow books for free from the library, sales may have been too low to warrant renting that mall space.

Had RIK still been located in Tobago, I imagine various residents would have stood in solidarity with those in Trinidad who have been vehemently up in arms about the “LGBTQ+ books for children” currently stocked by the bookseller.

The phenomenon brings to mind protests preceding the 2007 Tobago Jazz Festival, at which Sir Elton John was carded to perform.

The furore was generated by certain religious leaders and groups on the island, who demanded that the globally-respected performer be banned from entering Tobago because he is openly gay.

In one article, an archdeacon was quoted as saying, “His visit to the island can open the country to be tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle.”

Suffice it to say Sir Elton John had to be granted a special permit to enter Tobago and perform for fans no doubt eager to experience his high-profile musical offerings.

Sir Elton John’s career in music is one to be applauded. It spans six decades – longer than many of us have been alive. He is a beyond-multiple-award-winning artiste. His music is piped to all of us through elevator and shop speakers, played continuously on the radio and is just about everywhere. There are few who do not know of him as a global household name and have not been exposed to the words of his popular tracks – none of which preach to listeners about changing who they are, or who and how they love in order to match his personal reality.

Back to the RIK books – in particular, the main “abomination,” entitled I Am a Rainbow. I have not yet seen or read the book, but in her recent article (Embracing the Rainbow), Newsday’s Debbie Jacob describes it as “the story of a boy who loves acting, dancing and creating costumes. At home, he feels loved and accepted, but in school he doesn’t fit in. His parents tell him, ‘The world is a rainbow totally made up of a billion colours. And your light is totally unique.’”

The fact that the author is LGBTQ+ does not mean (as some in Trinidad and Tobago believe) that the book has an “agenda” to induct children into what is sometimes scathingly referred to as “the aphabet lifestyle.”

From what Jacob describes, the book is an empowering one, focused on themes of family, friendship, acceptance and self-identity –and, as per the author’s intention, it celebrates and recognises anyone who “ever felt lonely or danced to the beat of their own drum.”

While some are busy targeting their rage at what they erroneously believe to be the LGBTQ+ indoctrination of primary-school children through includingf the publication in the school syllabus (a misconception more fictional than the book itself), others are acknowledging the need for and applauding the move towards greater inclusion of and representation for the many unique people and identities existing in our society.

“We stand by our commitment to bookselling to all members of the public; regardless of gender affiliation or identity. We do not discriminate.”

The above statement by RIK, issued amidst a barrage of fire and brimstone rants on social media, is about more than just books. It reflects a wider understanding of the need for each person – regardless of colour, creed, gender, orientation, social status (and whatever other labels potentially define or divide us) – to be valued and supported, to live with dignity, in safety, and to have equal opportunities to lead a better life.

In this rapidly evolving world, which desperately cries out for urgent, widespread balance and healing, do you want to be one who scripts divisive, hate-filled, violent narratives...or one who helps to establish a new language of love, acceptance and understanding for all of us – the beautifully diverse characters in humanity’s one-of-a-kind masterpiece?