fbpx
  • Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Opinions
  • Features
  • Letters
  • Videos
  • Editorials
  • Columns
Ferdie-Ferreria

FERDIE’S TRANSPARENT SUBTERFUGE

July 30, 2020
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Kissinger has died not Schlesinger (died in 2007)

December 4, 2023
Harry Hergash

Book on Alice Bhagwandai Singh, an iconic social and cultural activist in British Guiana during the early 1900s

December 4, 2023
WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

December 4, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
suriname-map-physical

Suriname Delegates visit Buddhist Temple

December 4, 2023
At Diwali 2023 Celebration hosted by India HC in Guyana

At Diwali 2023 Celebration hosted by India HC in Guyana

December 3, 2023
DR-Tulsi-Dyal-Singh

RUDY IS DANCING BETWEEN THE SUNBEAMS

November 29, 2023
Dool Hanomansingh

The failure of Hindu leadership

November 29, 2023
Dool Hanomansingh

Family and Friends Mourn the passing of Indra Chattergoon

November 29, 2023
Dool Hanomansingh

Say no to terrorism!

November 29, 2023
Caribbean Delegates At a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok

Caribbean Delegates At a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok

November 28, 2023
Venezuela Maduro’s Opponent calls for suspension of Referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo

Venezuela Maduro’s Opponent calls for suspension of Referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo

November 28, 2023
Vishnu Bisram

At the World Hindu Congress Concluding Session

November 27, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition
Monday, December 4, 2023
  • Login
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
  • Home
  • Columns
    Venezuela Maduro’s Opponent calls for suspension of Referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo

    Venezuela Maduro’s Opponent calls for suspension of Referendum on Guyana’s Essequibo

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Venezuela Maduro Risk Regime Change with annexation of Guyana Territory

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    NY Guyana Democracy Project Condemns Venezuela Aggression against friendly peaceful, Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Road Accidents madness

    Lester Siddhartha Orie

    Armchair Critics and Wheel-Chair Experts

    Tarun Basu

    The Indian diaspora’s ‘indentured route’ – and a ‘lost’ children’s quest for identity

    Vishnu Bisram

    Indians experienced Racism during the dictatorship in Guyana

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Venezuela’s PR on Guyana border issue is all Fantasy

    Paras Ramoutar

    Trinidad’s President calls for urgent collective responsibility to save the environment

    Gary Griffith

    Blaming Parents for Crimes in Trinidad

  • Letters
    Jai Lall

    Using Guyanese Satire and Creolese describing current issues

    The DPP must use the new law to achieve justice following shocking Munir murder acquittals

    The DPP must use the new law to achieve justice following shocking Munir murder acquittals

    Judge in Trump Trial is Indian Jamaican;

    Judge in Trump Trial is Indian Jamaican;

    Vassan Ramracha

    PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI ONLY REPRESENTED ONE RACE ON BRITISH MEDIA.

    Guyana-map

    Mis-represented view on Color & Indians in Guyana and Bollywood

    Baseless Allegations against Guyana Govt in Race Focused Washington Conference

    Baseless Allegations against Guyana Govt in Race Focused Washington Conference

    Vassan Ramracha

    Indians too Suffered in Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Indian Guyanese Creolese or Dialect on Display

    Tail Wagging Dog in Guyana Gov’t Finances

    Tail Wagging Dog in Guyana Gov’t Finances

    Vassan Ramracha

    NORTON’S CALL FOR AFRICANS TO GO INTO BUSINESS IS HISTORIC

  • Community News
    Harry Hergash

    Book on Alice Bhagwandai Singh, an iconic social and cultural activist in British Guiana during the early 1900s

    At Diwali 2023 Celebration hosted by India HC in Guyana

    At Diwali 2023 Celebration hosted by India HC in Guyana

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Family and Friends Mourn the passing of Indra Chattergoon

    Vishnu Bisram

    At the World Hindu Congress Concluding Session

    Hindu Political Discourse at WHC 2023

    Hindu Political Discourse at WHC 2023

    Maximizing Hindu Political Impact

    Maximizing Hindu Political Impact

    Evelyn Ramrup called ‘Aunty Ivy’

    Berbician Aunty Ivy Scores 100

    Indo-Caribbean Hindus at World Hindu Conference 2023 Thailand

    Indo-Caribbean Hindus at World Hindu Conference 2023 Thailand

    Caribbean Airlines’ Chairman Mr. S. Ronnie Mohammed (right) presents Mr Rashed Alshammair- Vice President of Commercial from Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program (ACP) with a gift after their strategic meeting.

    CARIBBEAN AIRLINES’ CHAIRMAN EXPLORES STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH SAUDI’S AIR CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

    Trinidadian Hemraj Ramdath felicitated in Bodh Gaya

    Trinidadian Hemraj Ramdath felicitated in Bodh Gaya

  • Editorials
    WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

    WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

    Jai Lall

    Guyana not an aggressive nation; does not seek tension with Venezuela

    Jai Lall

    Guyanese Creolese on Contemporary Issues

    Capil Bissoon

    Opposition to renaming Trinidad Piarco Airport after Eric Williams

    Book Launch on Indentureship at BHU

    Book Launch on Indentureship at BHU

    ST. KITTS AWARDED TOP CARIBBEAN ECO-FRIENDLY

    ST. KITTS AWARDED TOP CARIBBEAN ECO-FRIENDLY SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION

    Jai Lall

    Response to Pt. Ubraj on attack in Jagdeo in Guyana

    Leyland-Chitlall-Roopnaraine

    THE PROCUREMENT AND TENDER BOARD NEEDS TO BE SCRAPPED

    Jai Lall

    Cricket & the PNC

    Gandhi’s 154th Celebrated in Guyana

    Gandhi’s 154th Celebrated in Guyana

  • Opinions
    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Kissinger has died not Schlesinger (died in 2007)

    Dool Hanomansingh

    The failure of Hindu leadership

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Say no to terrorism!

    Dr-Vishnu-Bisram

    Delay of Trinidad and Tobago Paria Commission Report raises doubts on getting to the truth

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Credit Unions and the Poor

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Scarcity of Research Materials on Guyana-Venezuela border dispute

    Vishnu Bisram

    The Petit Bourgeois, PPP, and Diaspora

    Paras Ramoutar

    New director of Indian Centre for Cultural Relations visits Trinidad and Tobago

    Dr Jerry Jailall

    In support of not meeting visiting Black American legislators in Guyana

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Protest and terrorism do not address the underdevelopment of the Muslim world

  • Videos
    Dool-Hanomansingh-003

    US Congress woman Tulsi Gabbard condemns the ongoing genocide of Hindus and other minorities

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the  Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the social significance of Ganga Dhara Festival.

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the Hindu view of the environment.

    swami-brahmadeo

    Swami Brahmadeo – Hindus are top CEOs and Medics in North America and Europe

    Gowtam-Maharaj

    Gowtam Maharaj, a farmer of Barrackpore, South Trinidad, shares his challenges being a farmer.

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    NATIONAL-LOTUS-THEATRE

    NATIONAL LOTUS THEATRE – Performance of Niyantran

    radica-jairam

    Story of RADICA JAIRAM from Orange Valley

    fisherman-trinidad

    Families of Orange Valley felt neglected by PNM Government

    Dr Subramanian Swamy

    Dr Subramanian Swamy – Dharma Rising London April 2015

  • Features
    suriname-map-physical

    Suriname Delegates visit Buddhist Temple

    DR-Tulsi-Dyal-Singh

    RUDY IS DANCING BETWEEN THE SUNBEAMS

    Caribbean Delegates At a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok

    Caribbean Delegates At a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok

    Gary Griffith

    National Transformation Alliance Media release

    DR-Tulsi-Dyal-Singh

    Guyana SATIRE: A FACT FINDING REPORT

    Guyana-map

    Guyana tops Caribbean in CXC and CAPE

    Lester Siddhartha Orie

    The Naipaul Awardee who is Primus Inter Pares

    Trinidad map

    THE CARIBBEAN’S BEST RUMS CROWNED IN ST BARTH

    Trinidad and Tobago Kamla on Diwali 2023

    Trinidad and Tobago Kamla on Diwali 2023

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Trinidad and Tobago handling of foreign relations

No Result
View All Result
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
No Result
View All Result

FERDIE’S TRANSPARENT SUBTERFUGE

by Trevor Sudama
July 30, 2020
in Columns
0
Ferdie-Ferreria

Photo : Ferdie Ferreria

11
SHARES
117
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

According to Ferdie Ferreira’s convoluted and senile thinking, raising legitimate issues of racial and ethnic discrimination automatically lead to racial conflicts and atrocities. Hence, these concerns should not be ventilated and addressed simply because to do so would destroy the social peace and stability of the country.

He then accuses me (and no one else) of making unfounded allegations of institutionalized discrimination against Indo-Trinidadians by successive PNM administrations which could be dangerous, destructive and explosive and have the most dire consequence of fanning a fire which I could not put out. He does say which group will start the fire and why. It certainly would not be Indo-Trinidadians as I will elaborate on later. But it is the classic argument of apologists for the preservation of the status quo, the existing socio-political power structure and the continuing dominance of the governmental apparatus.

Let me make two preliminary points. Firstly, the vast majority of Indo-Trinidadians hold the view, and not without reason, that there is institutionalized discrimination against them perpetrated by successive PNM governments as I have illustrated in previous letters. I am merely giving expression to that sentiment and I am not instigating any protest uprising. In the instances in which individuals and organizations have sought relief from the courts on this issue of PNM Government discrimination against them, they have been overwhelmingly successful.

Secondly, I am referring to the PNM administration and not the whole Afro-Trinidadian community who may themselves wittingly or unwittingly harbour misconceptions which lead to mistrust and antagonism against Indo-Trinidadians. I have always argued that, instead of sweeping these issues under the carpet, they should be fully investigated and explored by independent and credible research to ascertain the validity or lack thereof of views held with seeming conviction.

However, it needs to be emphasized that neither the indentured workers from 1845 onwards nor their descendents to the present have unilaterally engaged in any mass organized street demonstrations, violent protests or arson, looting and destruction of property to remonstrate against their grievances and the injustices meted out to them. They have not done so against the colonial regime nor against the PNM administrations. When in an irresponsible outburst in 1961, Dr. Capildeo asked for 1,000 volunteers to come forward to destroy 1,000 voting machines, no Indo-Trinidadian volunteered. When after the 1961 General Elections, he asserted that the PNM rigged the voting machines in their favour and stole the elections from the DLP, there was no mass Indo-Trinidadian uprising. Nor was there any Indo-Trinidadian upheaval when 8,000 sugar workers were summarily retrenched in 2003 and thrown on the breadline by a PNM administration.

Photo : Trevor Sudama

The point is that the vast majority of Indo-Trinidadians (excluding some businessmen and professionals) have reconciled themselves to their disadvantaged status in the society and sought to seek alternative avenues of survival. In this context therefore we ask must which group will start this potential fire of societal destruction and why. If there has been relative social peace and tranquility in this country over the years, the Indo-Trinidadian community by their restrained public behavior and their realistic outlook and aspirations, has made a substantial contribution to this outcome.

There is a historical and political dimension to the institutionalized discrimination against Indo-Trinidadians which, when examined, throws light on the bases on which such discrimination has been justified and rationalized. One was their alleged refusal to integrate into mainstream society and their questionable national loyalty and commitment which prompted their characterization as “ a hostile and recalcitrant minority” and thus not fit to participate in or receive the benefits state power. Another was the alleged generosity of the colonial administration in gifting all indentured workers land whereby their economic well-being was secured and thus their advancement could justifiably be ignored by the state.

Then the myth was propagated that Indo-Trinidadians dominated the TnT economy and, if they achieved control of government, it would be a situation fraught with danger to the stability, welfare and progress of the country and should be avoided at all costs. PNM stalwart and key officeholder J.A. Bain expressed the prevailing governmental sentiment thus-: “Should this time come when the East Indian section own most of the property and business of the country as well as control of the Government, an imbalance would develop in our society that would cause undesirable stresses and strain that would not be good for the nation.” In other words, discrimination against Indo-Trinidadians and their exclusion from Government was justified in the national interest.

Competition for political power also played its role in this discriminatory agenda. Given the ethnic and racial support base of the two major parties and the limited resources available, preferment for Afro-Trinidadians and denial of Indo-Trinidadian access to resources was seen by the PNM as an electoral necessity.

On Ferdie’s thesis of non-discrimination by PNM governments, Israel Khan wrote: – “Ferreira countered Sudama’s allegations of PNM discrimination by documenting some absurd examples of PNM’s record of non-discrimination against Indo-Trinidadians.”

Finally, Ferdie continues to peddle his half- truths, distortions and dissimulation. (1) Sir Issac Hyatali was appointed Chief Justice because in unjudicial remarks as head of the Industrial Court he publicly sympathized with and supported the PNM Government and condemned the Black Power Movement and its leaders.

(2) We are now told by Ferdie that Kamaluddin Mohammed and Errol Mahabir were by-passed for the post of Prime Minister not because of race but because of numerous allegations of corruption against them. However, despite these allegations they served as leading members of the PNM Cabinet in a long tenure.

(3) Given his steadfast and bitter opposition to the PNM for twenty years, A.N.R. Robinson could hardly have joined the PNM to form Government in 1995 without losing considerable face with his supporters especially if he was assigned a role junior in it to Manning.

(4) Patrick Manning was initially opposed to proposing Noor Hassanali for a second term in 1992 although the latter served as an exemplary President in his first term. It was only when Basdeo Panday announced that, if Mr. Hassanali was bypassed, the Opposition would propose its own candidate and expose Manning’s racially tinted motivation. In the face of this threat Manning relented.

If, by his utterances, Ferdie Ferreira proposes to clothe himself in the robes of a venerable elder statesman, all I can say is that the intended garment will be conspicuously ill fitting.

Facebook Comments Box
Tags: Ferdie FerreiraTrevor Sudama
Share4Tweet3Share1
ADVERTISEMENT
Trevor Sudama

Trevor Sudama

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Dool Hanomansingh

The failure of Hindu leadership

November 29, 2023
Dool Hanomansingh

Family and Friends Mourn the passing of Indra Chattergoon

November 29, 2023
DR-Tulsi-Dyal-Singh

RUDY IS DANCING BETWEEN THE SUNBEAMS

November 29, 2023
Indo-Caribbean Hindus at World Hindu Conference 2023 Thailand

Indo-Caribbean Hindus at World Hindu Conference 2023 Thailand

November 24, 2023
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Kissinger has died not Schlesinger (died in 2007)

December 4, 2023
Harry Hergash

Book on Alice Bhagwandai Singh, an iconic social and cultural activist in British Guiana during the early 1900s

December 4, 2023
WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

WHAT’S NEW IN ANGUILLA THIS WINTER

December 4, 2023
suriname-map-physical

Suriname Delegates visit Buddhist Temple

December 4, 2023

The most important world news and events of the day.

Get ICDN daily newsletter on your inbox.

ADVERTISEMENT
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News

© 2022 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Columns
  • Letters
  • Community News
  • Opinions
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Editorials

© 2022 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In