‘We are at a critical juncture and there can be no room for complacency, hatred, bias or inaction. Every civic minded itizen must now put country first’ – Justice Frank Seepersad
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THIS land of citizens’ ancestors is in peril but there is still time for redemption.
To have back the paradise that was once Trinidad and Tobago, individuals have to make a concerted effort to create positive change.
This was the main message being delivered by Justice Frank Seepersad on Monday on the occasion of Indian Arrival Day.
Seepersad was the feature speaker of the holiday’s celebrations hosted by the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) at the Passage to Asia restaurant in Chaguanas.
He said, “Our ancestors’ paradise is in peril. 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. “
Seepersad said, “Far too often, issues and solutions are no longer addressed or formulated in a rational, logical or methodological 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.”
He spoke of his personal interaction with his maternal great grandfather who was an indentured labourer and passed away when Seepersad was a 16-year-old teenager.
His ancestor endured the hardships being “virtually imprisoned” after signing up for what was advertised as a lucrative job offer at a farm in Trinidad.
But when his indentureship ended, he opted to stay.
When asked why by Seepersad his response was “Here is paradise.”
Like him, many others opted to stay because, at the time, Trinidad was a paradise to them, compared to their home country and their invaluable contribution must be recognised, Seepersad said.
“This day of remembrance and reflection should serve to renew our resolve to protect and preserve this paradise, this home in which our all forefathers saw tremendous and unlimited potential.
“To achieve this objective, changes have to be made on an individual basis. This must commence by rejecting the rancorous rhetoric aimed at dividing us. The preservation of our paradise requires us to spurn the polarization which prevails because this position pulverizes peace, productivity, prosperity and progress and poses as our primary threat,” Seepersad said.
He said, “We are at a critical juncture and there can be no room for complacency, hatred, bias or inaction. Every civic-minded citizen must now put country first. If we fail to act, our comeuppance will be a cacophony of cries and the clamour of citizens as the society implodes.”
Seepersad said citizens must be reminded of the unity and resilience of their ancestors who worked together for a better land adding that Trinidad and Tobago’s diversity was its greatest asset.
“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,” he said.
Seepersad encouraged, “Once we are united we will be unstoppable. Working in unison we can deliver the poor and depressed out of the bondage of injustice and strive to eradicate inequity and inequality.
“Emboldened and empowered by our forefathers’ example of fortitude, focus, fearlessness and faith, we must tackle this society’s systemic and rampant familial dysfunction so as to abate the evident hopelessness which has engulfed our youth. Every effort must be made to engage, encourage and empower them to reject a life of crime.”
The High Court judge called for a reformation of the Constitution which he said needed to be relevant and relatable, society must demand accountability, integrity, transparency, honesty, empathy, selfless leadership and partnership.
He also proposed a Race Relations Commission to de-escalate the racial tension brewing.
Seepersad said, “The struggles of the past and the indomitable spirit of all our forefathers, of every ethnicity, should inspire us all to become agents of change.”
“This is, not yet, a paradise lost. Will we accept the challenge and can we join each other and save our paradise, Papo’s paradise? he asked as he ended his speech.
