Hollywood and western media houses are milking the black man propensity for victimhood. Surfing YouTube for a movie I came upon a Western (1970) where a Black man was discriminated against in the Wild West-not allowed entering saloons and white folks taking advantage of him. The number of hits for the video was 5M but the movie was boring…the story dragging, just a series of clashes with white racists with no storyline.
It then dawned on me that there is a huge Black audience feeding on such Hollywood trash. Show a movie with a Black man discriminated against by white folks and you have a hit. There is no need for any great plot or acting skills, just a Black man suffering at the hands of white society. This attitude has kept the Black community on a lookout or state of alertness to respond to the minutest sign of discrimination to cry racism and justify protests on the streets, looting of business houses, and arson.
Clearly, the Black man has no time to look within his community to deal with social issues such as the prevalence of single mothers, drug abuse, gang violence or street children. Those social issues are left unattended, allowing them to fester to the detriment of all. This attitude is well played out in the urban ghettoes where the community protests when a suspect is killed by the police but usually does not see when a member of the community is gunned down by a known criminal in the same community.
You cannot beat Blacks when it comes to race talk. The PNM has returned to power in this country not because it has done a good job but only to keep out the Indians from gaining power. As early as the 1950s Black began migrating to the UK and the USA as they saw little hope in the PNM. By 1966 Dr. Eric Williams was indicating to the population that he was willing to hand over the reins of leadership. By 1970 the country was in turmoil as the social and economic policies failed to address historical discrimination. It was Blacks that took to the streets marching for ‘black power’ when a Black government and bureaucracy were in power.
It is racial fanaticism that can explain 28 years of dictatorship in Guyana that saw the undermining of democracy and the destruction of the economy and society. Guyanese of all races including Blacks who fanatically supported the PNC migrated. Nevertheless, these Blacks living abroad such as Dr. David Hinds who continue to support the PNC and all its racist tactics. Their singular concern is to see that the ‘coolieman’ doesn’t get the reins of power.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley support for television host Natalee Legore equating the recent storming of Capitol Hill by disgruntled Trump supporters with the UNC demand for a recount in a few constituencies before conceding defeat in the 2020 General Elections is unfortunate and distressful. Ms. Legore’s statement can be overlooked and the country moves on but this is not to be. The Political Leader of the PNM and God Father of the Black Community has jumped into the controversy advising Natalee Legore ‘not to apologize.’ The National Women’s League abandoned their responsibilities as wives and mothers to rally with their Black Godfather.
Ms. Natalie Legore and the PNM including its Political Leader Dr. Keith Rowley and the National Women’s League of the PNM can rest assured that should such a scenario witnessed in Capitola Hill presents itself in Trinidad it would not be by supporters of the UNC but by frustrated and disgruntled supporters -the beasts of burden-of the PNM.
In 1970 the Indians were not among the marchers that went into a Cathedral and paint a statue of Jesus black. Indians were not among the soldiers that mutinied and took to the street to lend support to the Black Power protesters. Again, Indians were not among the urban Black Islamists storming the Parliament and holding parliamentarian hostages, not forgetting the killing of innocent citizens and the billions of dollars of goods looted, properties vandalized, and set on fire.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley must lead by example. However, he is aiding and abetting wrongdoings. It is illogical to compare the recent events in Capitol Hill with the call by Kamla Persad Bissessar for a recount in a few constituencies. The Prime Minister is clearly prodding his supporters and the media that it is open season to demolish the UNC.
Ms. Legore’s statement is unfortunate. However, the Prime Minister is using it to mask his failing administration. Revenue is in decline, unemployment is high and there is growing hopelessness among the people. Thousands have not earned income since the country was shut down on March 15, 2020. These are the challenges Dr. Keith Rowley must address and stop his bullying tactics.