Name: George
Title: Racism here
Comments: It has become extremely easy here to be labelled a racist.This is because of the high degree of inequality and discrimination being practised on this island which in many cases have become acceptable because of tolerance. The politicians play a major role on their part in keeping our politics racially divided which like the tentacles of a cancer has spread and has an effect on the mentality attitudes of most of our citizens. One slip of the tongue and you could find your self being questioned on some innocent comment made in respect of racism here. The lingering problem here is that racism is helping to destroyed the fabric of our nation and without a Race Relation Act to combat deliberate discrimination, the problem is here to stay.
Name: George
Comments: There is no doubt about it whatsoever that a high percentage of our citizens are racist and suffer from being xenophobic. This is very observant in our politics. There is a professional group of citizens who have now acquired the skills of how to apply racism by means do manipulation and deceit without being outspoken or actually employing open first-hand discrimination. It would appear that this hatred has come about during the days of slavery when the masters 'the white men' was seen and acted as monsters. In this nation, the white man even today is still seen as the main target of our acts of racism and discrimination It was gradually transferred here to the incoming indenture labourers from India who was offered parcels of land for their loyal continual service. Today despite the claim that we are a well-developed society of a mixed race nation living in harmony the xenophobic attitudes still prevails and is most noticeable within our politics and lack of integration here. The sad thing about it all is that racism is still passed down the line by our children via their parent's attitude believing a political ideology that consists of racial division and beliefs.This is the main reason why despite all of our wealth there is little progress being made with regards to perpetual poverty and backwardness among both racial groups of our ordinary citizens who unconsciously dabble in everyday simple acts of discrimination and racism.This aspect of a majority of our population is unlikely to change here as long as our politics remain boosted by racial division, which continues to plant the seeds of our xenophobic attitudes and behaviour. In my opinion, the rejection of the call by the Prime Minister to accommodate refugees from Dominica has nothing to do with race. It is simply a fear of our ordinary citizens and some officials, together with the state of the economy, unemployment and growing poverty and what they may likely to encounter because of the local problems already caused here, by the inflow of too many immigrants.
Name: George
Country:
Title: Race relations in Trinidad
Comments: Never mind about race relation way back in the colonial days.The politcians here ought to study race relations here now and do something about it, like introducing programs that encourages racial integration.
Name: Ashton
Title: racism- period
Comments: This term 'racism' is over used, over emphasized and under- explained. Because of the explosive nature of the term, it now lacks any resemblance to what it used to mean many years ago. Years ago it mainly referenced skin colour or country of origin. Today, it has expanded to include anything that appears to be 'different.' Because of the blurred meaning of the term, I think that it now more behavioural in nature and should be viewed as such. I am not a racist. However, when I see the behaviour of any individual that is obnoxious, crude, rude and that which goes against basic respect, care, love for another- I "hate" the person for his/her action. That does not make me a racist.