Chief Sec tells detractors: Don't engage in coat of arms debate if you haven't suffered pain

TOBAGO House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says people who are not descendants of slaves, should not engage in the national conversation on replacing Columbus' ships with the steel pan on the coat of arms.

During the PNM’s special convention on August 18 at the National Academy of the Performing Arts, Port of Spain, the Prime Minister announced the national instrument would replace Columbus’ ships as the country relinquishes symbols of colonialism.

Dr Rowley said the government has enough votes in the Parliament to make the change, adding the issue would be addressed after the reopening of the new parliamentary term this month. The adjustment is expected to be made before September 24 – Republic Day.

Addressing guests at a function to commemorate TT’s 62nd anniversary of Independence at Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago, on August 31, Augustine weighed in on the simmering debate, saying the ships should have been removed from the coat of arms a long time ago.

"We are having a great debate across this country about whether we should change our coat of arms and how far we should go in decolonising our country. It is a strange argument to have at 62 years because in my mind, at day one if I were the prime minister, that would have been gone a long time ago.

"And certainly, it is an opportunity for me to appeal to those who are not the descendants of the traumatised and enslaved. Please leave this conversation for those of us who have inherited the trauma of slavery.

"If you are by chance a descendant of those who colonised us, we love you all still. The Lord said we must forgive and we forgive you. But certainly, you cannot invalidate how we feel and you can’t tell us how we ought to feel on matters like this," he said.

He added, "Even as we decolonise the society, it would be remiss of me to not point out that we must go to the extent of decolonise the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago because that too has to be part of the conversation."

Augustine noted the Independence celebration, in relation to Tobago, was overshadowed by unprecedented levels of criminality. The island has to date recorded 21 murders for 2024.

He urged citizens to do their part in reducing crime so that Tobago can again be "a shining example for the rest of the world."

He also said a prayer before proposing a toast to commemorate the anniversary.

Presiding Officer Abby Taylor, in her remarks, challenged Tobagonians to do better.

"Today, as we stand on the threshold of our 62nd year, I ask each and every one of us to consider what more can we do, what more can we be to honour the legacy of those that went before us.

"The challenge I give to you today is one of introspection and action. I challenge us to be better citizens, to be better neighbours, to be better stewards of this rich heritage that we have inherited. I challenge us to look beyond our differences as we seek out the common ground which unites us. The progress of the nation lies in the hands of all of us," she said.

Lt Col Jermain Roachford, who was in charge of the Independence parade which preceded the function, echoed Taylor’s sentiments.

"We must do what we can in our own sphere of influence. So speaking for all the security forces present here today, we have to do our part.

"However, let us focus on where we are. We are the island of Tobago and we know our challenges. Let us focus on doing what we can within our sphere of influence," he said.

Roachford said he was proud to see the number of young people who participated in the parade.

"We must focus on our youth because they are Tobago’s future and if we want to have a future that is not as challenging, we all must make a start and that start must happen from today. Let us all make that conscious effort to make that difference within our society of Tobago."

Earlier, grit, precision and showmanship, were on full display during the Independence parade, which took place at Parade Ground, Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet.

The event, which began around 8.30 am, after the arrival of the Chief Secretary, saw eight smartly attired, armed detachments and seven unarmed detachments brave the blistering heat to deliver a highly impressive presentation before an appreciative crowd.

The young people in the Civilian Conservation Corps, MILAT, Girl Guides Association, Pentecostal Crusaders and Boys’ Brigade got a warm welcome.

Augustine, in keeping with tradition, inspected the parade.

After the formal event at the parade ground, the detachments marched along the Claude Noel Highway, where hundreds of spectators had gathered to take in the display of military showmanship.

The contingents were dismissed at Scarborough Port.