Report: Trinidad and Tobago a society of contradictions

THE society of TT is somewhat of a puzzle, said the conclusion of the introduction of the Report on the National Advisory Committee on Constitutional Reform published on August 15.

"TT is a society of profound contradictions," the report offered.

"There is the veneer: the appearance of prosperity and even sophistication. Our palpable vibrancy, energy and creativity support the prevailing narrative of continuous celebration, merriment, picong, and joie de vivre, even in the face of adversity.

"We can be tolerant, generous, charitable and co-operative, caring and kind. We profess religious and humanist values."

But that was not the whole story.

"Yet we are simultaneously a society marred by violence (domestic and criminal), disrespect, official indifference and inaction, institutional inertia, conflict and litigation, lack of trust, individualism and intolerance."

The report said those traits were products of TT's history and our learned ways of coping with adversity and trauma.

"Depending on the circumstances, we can be one or the other."

The report made another observation.

"Since 1976, the economic and social progress we have managed to achieve has not been sufficient to ameliorate social conditions for the many who have been drawn into a life of crime and criminality and to overcome the deficiencies of the colonial institutions we adopted at Independence, which have fettered the most appropriate response to these problems."

The conclusion said conflicts between holders of high office have compounded TT's problems and inhibited resolution or reform.

"This is the context in which we engage in constitutional reform in 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago."