Column: It's worth it to dream of a united T&T

Divisive, tribal politics has been a feature of Trinidad and Tobago for so long that some people think there can be other way. But there is a way because we are one nation, one people.

Our origins, our religious beliefs, our customs, history and cultural traditions make us a nation that defines cultural relativity in which we take the best of what each of us has to offer to create a unique national mosaic. That is the true Trinidad and Tobago. Look at us at Carnival! One people! That's us.

Stephen Cadiz spoke of it on Monday night in Felicity when he appeared on a platform of the United National Congress (UNC). He told supporters when the various parties met to discuss unity the most important issue was the future of the nation.

He said that is a concept Patrick Manning and the People's National Movement (PNM) don't understand. And he urged everyone to stand up for Trinidad and Tobago. "We have to put aside our differences and start the business of building a nation," he said.

"We put our country first and on May 25 we wake up to a brand new day," he proclaimed. "We will rise, Trinidad and Tobago!"

But that's not what you will hear from some fanatics who are still dedicated to the idea that politics is about "we and dem". These are the people who still cling to the position that has got us into the mess that we are in today.

It's difficult from Toronto to gauge the true situation on the ground but from emails I have received and contacts with friends, family and colleagues I know that many UNC supporters are upset that Kamla Persad-Bissessar has "given away" too much.

For them, "strangers" in the UNC will create problems. The strangers are people like Makandaal Daaga, Errol Mc Leod and even Jack Warner. It's nothing but blatant racism.

What these people are saying is "How dare these Black people take over our Indian party!"

And there are others who have not yet forgiven Winston Dookeran and see COP as trying to force itself on the UNC, uttering the words of the party's ex-leader, Basdeo Panday.

It's not pretty and reeks of the ugly political tribalism that has disfigured Trinidad and Tobago and will continue to retard progress unless we as a people understand that there cannot and must never again be a "we and dem".

We came close in 1986 but the dream didn't last. Today, a new spirit of nationalism has taken birth with Kamla as the torchbearer.

It took a tremendous amount of struggle and swimming against the tide from men like Jack Warner to break the tradition and demonstrate that regardless of our ethnic and religious identities, service to people, the community and the nation comes first.

Kamla fought Panday and won on the premise that her leader had lost touch with the people and reneged on the solemn pledge to put people first.

Jack demonstrated that a Black man could be just as welcome in a predominantly Indian community as an Indian. For most of the people in Chaguanas West, he is just Jack, the best MP they have known.

It will take time for us to reach this level of political maturity. There are still those who are telling me that they prefer to vote for a PNM candidate than to support Jack, whom they describe as a man who has tried to steal "their party".

Others prefer to stay at home rather than cast a vote for a party led by a woman who dared to fight Panday and then "cuddle" with the likes of Jack, Dookeran, Daaga and others who are not "UNC people". You would not believe some of the trash coming from these people.

For those who came in late or who have forgotten, when the UNC took birth on a rainy day nearly 22 years ago, thousands stood in the mud in Aranguez to hear the founding leader call for race and class to be banished. (The party was formally launched on April 30, 1989 at the National Stadium)

Panday invited the masses to join his crusade for justice, freedom and equality and predicted - as Martin Luther King jr did - that people would join the movement "not because of the colour of their skins but because of the content of their minds."

Anyone who objects to the unity partnership that Kamla, Jack and others have put together to fight for the future of Trinidad and Tobago needs to revisit the history of the UNC.

And if they profess to be supporters of Panday by rejecting this alliance, they do Panday a disservice by suggesting that there is something wrong. Daaga fought for the same principles in the 1970 that Panday and the UNC later adopted.

Mc Leod fought with Panday in Oropouche in 1976 as a founding member of the United Labour Front (UFL) and went to Parliament on Panday's labour platform.

The grand coalition that Kamla and Jack put together is the culmination of Panday's dream of a truly united party based on a love for our nation, freedom, justice and equality. They have done what Panday strived to achieve for 22 years.

And anyone who supports Panday's ideals should welcome their efforts.

For a small minority on both sides of the political divide - including Manning - a national coalition bringing everybody together is a great loss because it marks the beginning of the end of political tribalism in which cronyism, nepotism, corruption and patronage take precedence over the rights of the people.

Trinidad and Tobago is in the midst of a great revolution. The test is whether this People's Partnership will prevail and if it wins, whether it will do what it proclaims.

If it does, then I can say with joy in my heart, "My country has agreed to grow up!"

Jai Parasram | Toronto 28 April 2010