Voting Indian? - the Peter O'Connor column

Today we need to address an issue which cannot be glossed over by euphemisms and pretences. And this has less to do with some of our increasingly silly politicians, and more to do with a large segment of disillusioned voters.

We are hearing comments from the increasingly large number of embarrassed former PNM supporters, now unable to support the flailing and failing antics of Patrick Manning, Marlene MacDonald and Colm Imbert, but who remain in a dilemma because they claim they “cannot vote Indian”.

What precisely does this mean to you, dear reader? Have you heard anyone making this comment?

Have you asked what the speaker means—assuming that he (more likely than “she”) has any idea at all what he is saying? Why exactly can one feel that they cannot “vote Indian”, or indeed, White, or Chinese, or Black?

But the truth is that I have never heard this expressed until recently, and only in the context of “Indian”. And let us at first accept that this statement will only come from a disillusioned PNM supporter who is Black, or as we say these days, Afro Trinidadian.

So here is my question to all of you who harbor this obviously deep racist prejudice—not, I think against Indo Trinis, but against “voting Indian”: Tell me why you feel so? What is it that you fear?

And what do you think will happen to you if God should grant you some intelligence and you actually “voted Indian”, instead of voting corruption and incompetence, which you recognize, hence your disenchantment with the PNM?

And what will happen to you if “Indian” and the UNC won the election?

I would like to know what drives your fear: Do you believe that you will get only roti and doubles to eat? Or that the fetes and radio stations will only play Chutney and Bollywood music?

In short, what is your problem?

Would you quit your job if an Indo Trinidadian became your boss? Would you, like your political leader, refuse to be treated by an “Indian Doctor”?

And how do you explain your—and indeed the nation’s--survival during the years when we actually had what you might describe as an “Indian” Government?

The UNC governed this country from late 1995 through late 2001. And what did they do that was so terrible that you cannot “vote Indian”?

Yes, they t’ief! But, as you well know, “All of we t’ief”! That was the pronouncement of former PNM Minister Desmond Cartey, high on Laventille Hill in 1986. And nothing has changed in that regard, except it is widely believed by everyone, including you, that the current PNM has “out-t’iefed” all previous regimes.

So you cannot be afraid of “Indian” because of corruption, because that is an unfortunate given within our politics—albeit many of us wish to see that change.

I am confident that, all though 2008 you followed the Presidential elections in the United States. I am sure, that like so many of us Trinis who could not vote there, you felt tremendous pride in the rise of Barrack Obama.

And when the millions of white Americans made him, a black man with a “Muslim-sounding” name, their President you were amazed and proud—not just about Barrack Obama, but that America had voted for a minority-race President, and by overwhelming majorities everywhere.

America matured when they put the issues of a failing administration and new hope above the issues of politics as usual, and the candidate’s ethnicity.

And America, and the world, became a better place for that Audacity of Hope. So what about you? Many of you copy America in so many ways. How about questioning your prejudices and your fears, just like America was able to do, and see if you too, and your land, might (I am not promising anything here!) find enlightenment—again.

For indeed, I remind you that we have already lived through six years of an “Indian” Administration, and it certainly was no worse than any other administration in our history.

Many neutral observers suggest it was better. I wish to emphasize that this is not directed towards the PNM supporters—“Till you Dead” or just supporters. You will vote for Manning and his sycophant team “irregardless”, and good luck to you.

This will be your farewell gesture to Patrick Manning and some of those with him. The PNM will recover when Patrick is gone, but will spend this coming parliamentary term in opposition.

This is for those of you who can no longer follow where Patrick wants to take you. This is a call for you to put country before tribe, and people before race, and vote for whom you think can do more for T&T—just like America did!