Sokah2Soca

Reflections: Just some random thoughts this morning as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago remembers August 31, 1962 - Independence Day!

I woke up this morning and realized that I did not do a post marking the celebration of another Independence Day in my beloved Trinidad and Tobago. However, this was not an error on my part; the truth is I did not know what to say! What is there to celebrate? The current State of Emergency with curfew restrictions in place doesn't help. It does not feel good today but we do have plenty to celebrate... Our people have achieved great feats that many countries in the World still aspire towards. We have won Miss Universe and Miss World crowns, we were the smallest nation to reach the World Cup finals, we have Olympic champions and possess a land that is beautiful and bountiful. Yes, still there is a pain deep within my stomach that churns and hurts today but at the same time, I can hope for a better day.

Yes, we are a nation that has given the World Calypso, the wonderful steelpan instruments, Limbo dance, and a host of other achievements that we should all be proud to say, "I am a Trini and proud to say it aloud". Yet still, the pain persists! Today our beloved nation is under a State of Emergency that has sent ripples of uncertainty and distrust throughout the land. The ugly head of racism has surfaced once again. We are falling prey to one of the most notorious instruments used by the colonial masters to control us - make the Indians and Africans distrust each other. Where do we go from here is the question that needs to be answered?

Youth Employment and Youth empowerment programs are needed however, this is not the sole responsibility of the government. As a nation, as a people, we need to rise together and make things happen because it is the right thing to do. We don't want the label of 'party mentality' to become a burden for our children... We need to rise above the chaos and from those ashes become self-reliant and truly independent. 

We need to diversify our industries and prepare for the day when the Oil and Gas pension fund runs out. My friend who uses the sobriquet "Gumbo LaiLai" is very passionate about this subject and likes to look at the Singapore model to show that we too can achieve self-reliance and reduced dependence on the State to survive. What went wrong? What is the problem? Well, we are and, at the same time, also the solution to the problem! 

We need to move on and clean up our country of the burdens placed upon us by the criminals and poor government administration. The current drive to rid ourselves of the fear of criminal activities is a start but we need to push forward with an education system that teaches self-reliance and thirst always want to achieve more. Private enterprise is the answer and we need to understand this and nurture small enterprises that contribute to the nation's GNP. 

Indeed, I woke up this morning and realized that I did not do a post marking the celebration of our country's 49th. anniversary of Independence but still found the time to say a few words before my wife said it was time to leave for work. I pray that we can find our way as a nation. We need to embrace each other and forge ahead with the hope that the next generation will do a better job - we have not! Today is day 10 of the imposed curfew. What are your thoughts at this moment? Are you proud, nervous, ashamed, or simply indifferent?

These are my thoughts this morning and in case you forgot, here are the 'watchwords' given to the nation by the late 'father of the nation, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams: Discipline, Tolerance, and Production.

While we are in this place of reflection let us also keep in mind National Motto: Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve.

Take this opportunity to listen to our national anthem! Have a pleasant day all and may God bless our nation!

NATIONAL ANTHEM H2O