With very little to show from a party they have supported; a party that has neglected and overlooked them, Tobagonians still chose to remain with their political abusers.
All the PNM had to do was resort to their age old tactic of instilling fear that some other group would take away the little they had and the tribal instincts did the rest.
All the PNM had to do was resort to their age old tactic of instilling fear that some other group would take away the little they had and the tribal instincts did the rest.
Note that the PNM did not seek nor have to seek showing Tobagonians how much they gave to Tobago for the answer to that was some 22 billion dollars and nothing to show.
The PNM didn't have to sell any vision of a better life for Tobagonians. Their theme was simply that "a Calcutta ship" was coming for them and so they needed to stand in defence of Tobago. That was it. Fear trumped a better future.
Now what? Will Tobagonians be better off with the proven failure of the PNM? It is the same reason why Laventille with so little given by past PNM administrations would yet support the party regardless. The tribe is all they have been convinced is needed to be protected.
So the task for us is large. It is about emancipation from mental slavery. How do we allay the fears of those who have been duped for so long? How can we get them to understand that the appeal to tribal instincts alone with nothing else in the offing is not in their best interest? How can we encourage them to look for more from their leaders? How can we inspire their self-determination?
And also, how can we improve on our own message? The time has come for introspection on how we are perceived?
The PNM didn't have to sell any vision of a better life for Tobagonians. Their theme was simply that "a Calcutta ship" was coming for them and so they needed to stand in defence of Tobago. That was it. Fear trumped a better future.
Now what? Will Tobagonians be better off with the proven failure of the PNM? It is the same reason why Laventille with so little given by past PNM administrations would yet support the party regardless. The tribe is all they have been convinced is needed to be protected.
So the task for us is large. It is about emancipation from mental slavery. How do we allay the fears of those who have been duped for so long? How can we get them to understand that the appeal to tribal instincts alone with nothing else in the offing is not in their best interest? How can we encourage them to look for more from their leaders? How can we inspire their self-determination?
And also, how can we improve on our own message? The time has come for introspection on how we are perceived?
These are the matters which we will deliberate upon and use to get people to unite against those who do not represent them but imprison them by using fear and tribalism even in this day and age when a black man, with the name Barack Hussein Obama, has just been inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States.It is time for us to revisit how we achieve the liberation of our people from the insularity they have been captive to for far too long. We are all in this together.
Good Luck Tobago and congratulations to all the winners!
Good Luck Tobago and congratulations to all the winners!
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