Time and time again, it is not the so-called criminal element that is most affected by these lockdowns. It is law-abiding citizens and responsible family members who are negatively impacted. The government and police dogs claim that this is all just “routine procedure” and as long as we continue to allow their boots to crush our necks, that will continue to be the case.
By Shauntrice L. Martin
A few months ago, when you searched online for the term “Trinidad & Tobago” most of the results would reveal an unreal paradise. The images would be of beautiful, cool, clear waters surrounding a place of serenity and delight. The vibrant Carnival colors and fetes would dance across your computer screen, inviting you to temporarily lend yourself to a bit of heaven. Different website would lie to you in different ways to entice your wallet. Attractive images masked the poverty and desperation beneath the surface, as is the case with most islands.
Now when you search for that sandy salvation, the results are much different. On August 21, 2011 at approximately 9:00pm EST, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar declared a state of emergency. It is disturbing enough that she was at her home in the Philippines when she made this declaration… but the larger concern is that these “hot-spots” are generally populated by the poorest residents, not necessarily the ones committing the crimes. The head of Security, John Sandy, enacted the SOE.
All areas that fall within the Local Government Boundaries for the Regional Corporations of: Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima, Chaguanas, Diego Martin and San Juan/Laventille. A curfew will come into effect for persons living in these areas from 9pm to 5am.
Regardless of the assumed good intentions, we need to be real: the government and its paramilitary forces are coming to take over. Don’t forget that T&T has an abundance of natural resources, while western empires lack them. One T&T news station reports:
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced a limited State of Emergency in crime hot spots in Trinidad and Tobago. Mrs Persad-Bissessar met with the National Security Council and her Cabinet on Sunday afternoon. This follows a recent upsurge in murders which the Prime Minister said was linked to the recent seizure of millions of dollars in narcotics. She noted that when millions of dollars are lost, someone has to pay the price and it is usually with the loss of life.
Under a limited State of Emergency, persons from the military will have certain powers, such as seizures and search and arrest. These officers in the military will augment the manpower in the Police Service.
Trindad & Tobago, Caribbean
Basically, from 9:00pm to 5:00am residents are locked down in their houses. PNM, (the governing party of T&T), fully supports the SOE. However, a representative claimed that they were forced to sign the declaration. All the while, the government is re-paving streets near the city of Piarco. Is this a sign of something more come?
Those of you who have been in DC a while may be feeling déjà vu. I felt the same thing. These events mirror the lockdown of the Trinidad neighborhood in DC. During the summer of 2008, D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier enthusiastically pushed the military style checkpoints in the Trinidad neighborhood in DC. She was adamant about its effectiveness. She, along with then Mayor Adrian Fenty, ignored the complaints of police brutality and harassment from residents. Similarly in T&T, police and government officials ignore the cries of hard working citizens as they sit in their luxurious mansions.
Trinidad, Washington DC
We should critically analyze those connections. Why do we allow these contradictions to thrive? Time and time again, it is not the so-called criminal element that is most affected by these lockdowns. It is law-abiding citizens and responsible family members who are negatively impacted. The government and police dogs claim that this is all just “routine procedure” and as long as we continue to allow their boots to crush our necks, that will continue to be the case.
Unless and until we collectively fight this hegemonic domination, we unwittingly give our consent to oppression. As Antonio Gramsci wrote, “to tell the truth is revolutionary”.
Shauntrice L. Martin is the director of the Justice Resource Center and long time youth advocate. Shauntrice has taught in Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky and currently works with youth to sustain social justice movements in the District and beyond.
photo credit: Boboleechron
It would seem that you are forgetting what it was like in T&T before this all happened. I feel this is a good thing and some third world countries need military/government involvedment in order to SHAPE UP.
My parents are from T&T and I am a product of America…therefore I say the people should NOT be locked up for no good reason. This is a simple case of violating the rights of THE PEOPLE! I don’t see how your name can be “justice” yet that’s not at all what you’re promoting.
It is such a tragedy that we condone our own oppression. smh.
we have been brutalized for so long we think we think brutality is normal and that’s the only way to manage our societies.
Peace & thank you to all those who have read my article (more coming soon) I want to respond to the comments.
Justice: The T&T I remember is full of luscious creativity. It is a beautiful place that made me forget racism. This is most defnitely a romanticized outsider version of the real story, but it is my perspective nonetheless. I wrote a paper about Laventile and I do remember the extreme poverty in the area. However, I firmly believe that critical discourse is a better solution that martial law. When in history has that strategy ever produced peace?
Talya: I see where you’re coming from and I would love for you to go deeper on the topic.
Soul Rebel: I completely agree. Its similar to someone involved in a domestic violence situation. That’s all they’ve known, so they stay and accept it. There are other ways to deal with injustice and it is up to us to find those alternatives.
Thanks again for the responses!
ok, i don’t say whether i agree or disagree, but i do think this is costing people loads of money. and if these people paying the salaries of the military are the ones being victimised, then this is a crime! i would like to know what right they have to enact such laws. this would not happen in a country that did not have primarily people of colour.