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Editorial See other Editorial Articles Title: Free but shackled Free but shackled Eugene Reynald Saturday, September 12th 2009 Every year for more than a decade I have observed from a distance the Emancipation Support Committee (ECS) and others celebrate and commemorate the freeing of the slaves. I expected with time that these celebrations would transform into practical and constructive ideologies and activities that wound inform and chart a way forward for descendants of the freed slaves who faced increasingly difficult times with each passing year of rule by black post-colonial governments (BPCGs). These expectations are yet to be realised. Since independence and even before, except for insignificant interludes, the country has been run by these BPCGs and during this period we witnessed two uprisings both led by blacks. One of these is still today referred to as a "Black Power Revolution". During this period we also witnessed a marked decrease in the number of blacks in almost all professions, the underperformance of black children in educational institutions at all levels and diminishing numbers of black businesses and businessmen. Not coincidentally there has also been a marked deterioration in the quality and performance of black politicians-and all of this has taken place while most of the similar indicators for other races have been moving in the opposite direction. This evidence would suggest that black people were performing better under colonial rule than they have done to date under the succession of BPCGs and this decline has taken place within the lifetime and experience of many of those currently in the ESC and the PNM party. The latter has formed virtually all of our BPCGs and proudly call T&T PNM country in perversion and denial of the growing number of black second class citizens. It is interesting to note that some of the present leaders of the ESC found reason to lead the "Black Power Revolution"-when a more enlightened and intelligent PNM BPCG than we have now was in power. In spite of all of this and the obvious need for those who claim to represent black interests in the country to act immediately to stem this decline, what seems to have emerged is a collaboration among the "leadership" of the ESC and the PNM, and Prof Selwyn Cudjoe, a PNM-aligned "black ideologue". To date it has not charted a course for black emancipation nor has it enlightened blacks on their real dilemma. Indeed it has served to strengthen the PNM oligarchy and further divide the races. The oppressed and insecure condition of blacks has over the decades worked to the political, social and financial benefit of the PNM leadership and their friends and for the PNM to change the current status of blacks would be traumatic if not suicidal. Their agenda ineluctably has to be informed by this fact. It is difficult therefore to understand how this accommodation will work to dignify, elevate and save blacks or even help them begin to understand that their oppressor for the last 50 years has not been the white man or the Indian or the Chinese. From the pronouncements of Cudjoe and the leaders of the ESC over the years they themselves are yet to come to this quite obvious understanding-and given the evidence and trends cited earlier it is difficult for blacks to even begin to save themselves without accepting this as truth and proceeding from there. Because blacks are such a significant part of the population it would be difficult to make something of this country unless they emancipate themselves by, inter alia, finding intelligent, constructive and enlightened leaders who command respect and can negotiate for fair share of the national patronage. As a black man I am deeply offended and ashamed by what has been emerging intellectually and politically from the black leadership (who are perceived to be the best among us)-almost without exception, and this has created perceptions of us by other races-both at home and abroad, that are not complimentary. What is also tragic is that the best of our next generation are emigrating-so it will get worse as the black gene pool in T&T degenerates to a level below that of the PNM. Emancipation needs to be grounded in spirituality/religion, politics, education, business, etc. The ESC has agreed to the sharing of an agenda with Cudjoe, the PNM and their friends and given the arguments presented herein its programme cannot be one of black emancipation. Cudjoe's position is clear and it is not much different to that of the PNM but if the ESC sees its role as more than one of just commemorating the freeing of slaves, then the question arises as to what are the shared interests in this accommodation that will complement or enhance this role. The truth may very well be it is all politics; if it is, then this collaboration can be added to the many other reasons why Vision 2020-for country and for blacks, will turn out to be a nightmare.
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