Hubris goes before the fall November 12, 2024
It was November 2016; the PNM had just won an election, and it was riding high. At a conference hosted by the Government and the International Monetary Fund, Finance Minister Colm Imbert explained why he had raised the price of fuel. He boasted: "I increased the price of fuel by 15% and then realised that was not enough. I came back again in April and raised it by another 15% and I came back again just a few weeks ago and raised it by another 15%. They haven’t rioted yet." Full Article

The ultimate barbarian November 05, 2024
It may seem an exaggeration, but the Leader of Our Grief is the most obnoxious leader we have had in our 62 years of independent rule. He has revealed himself as an unsophisticated bully who is unaware of his social and political responsibilities to the nation. Full Article

Honouring our heroes October 30, 2024
Speaking to hundreds of people at Progress Park, Grenada, on October 19, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell announced plans “to build a shrine at Fort George to honour deceased Revolutionary leader Prime Minster Maurice Bishop and others who lost their lives on October 19, 1983, as a result of internal conflicts between different factions of the Revolutionary Government”.
Full Article

Language matters October 23, 2024
Two weeks ago, I responded to Nigel Seenathsingh’s letter that appeared in the Express. I wrote: "When I warned...about the dangers inherent in the Leader of Our Grief’s statements about women, I was not trying to demonise him or Stuart Young. I was only alerting my readers to be on guard about the violence against women [I emphasised women] that exists in our society and the role that language plays in this regard." Full Article

The leader's schizophrenic behaviour October 16, 2024
After the People’s National Movement came into power in 1956, Eric Williams took an inordinate length of time (sometimes as much as three hours) to deliver his budget speeches. He used them to reach his fellow citizens since the means of communication were not as widely available as they are today. It was also a way to expand the democratic process. Full Article

The Darkest Hour October 10, 2024
“And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25)
On Friday September 27, I flew to Charlotte, North Carolina (NC), to spend the weekend with friends and family. I was also interested in the gubernatorial and presidential races that were taking place there since it is the home of Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, one of the most notorious politicians in the US. NC is also a pivotal state in the next presidential election. Full Article

On being relevant October 01, 2024
Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeOn Republic Day, letter writer Nigel Seenathsingh scolded me for “attacking” his leaders.
On that same day the Express published a full-page story about a PNM senator in a domestic violence matter. Full Article

Time for PNM members to speak up September 25, 2024
There he was, resplendent amidst the splendour of the PNM Women’s League as he asked their members to get ready for the 2025 election. Acting as the titular head of the party in the absence of the Leader of Our Grief and in the presence of his "political Mother" (Camille Robinson-Regis), he signified his desire to achieve his next career objective: the leader of the storied People’s National Movement. Full Article

Pan and T&T's coat of arms September 18, 2024
In 1962 when Trinidad and Tobago went into business as a nation, it formed a committee "to select the symbols that would be representative of the people of Trinidad and Tobago". It produced our coat of arms. Full Article

Pan and the coat of arms: the imaginary September 11, 2024
I am always amazed at the presumptions that we, African people, make about the cultures of others and why we feel that they should adopt them as their own.

The Leader of our Grief says that pan, our national instrument, should be placed on our coat of arms because it's T&T's cultural gift to the world. Without consulting anyone, he goes to a PNM convention and declares that by Republic Day (September 24) the measure would be brought to the Legislative Council and it would be a done deal. Full Article

Duprey and the demise of black business September 05, 2024
I was a member of the Central Bank board when Lawrence Duprey's case came to its attention. Amid the charges and counter charges, it was difficult for the board to obtain CLICO financial records, which would have allowed us to see what was taking place within his company. Aware of its responsibility, the board felt it had to act. It acted, and the rest is history. Full Article

Enshackled thinking August 28, 2024
I wanted to finish my series on our valiant black women ancestors before I responded to the superficialities of people who assailed me on behalf of their leader (Express, August 6). Full Article

Hear ye; hair ye: listen and be enlightened - Pt IV
August 21, 2024
Slavery ended officially in 1834 while apprenticeship ended slavery in practice in 1838. The 5,000 people who took part in the Revolt of October 1, 1849, were ex-slaves. The women were at the forefront in this battle. While the attempt to cut their hair ignited the revolt, there were other causes that led to their revolutionary activities. Full Article

Hear ye; hair ye: listen and be enlightened - Pt III
August 16, 2024
The revolt of October 1, 1849, one of the most momentous occasions in our history, was led by women of the lower order. They took the initiative in fighting one of the most oppressive pieces of colonial legislation that was designed to prevent their economic enterprise and dignity as a proud people of colour. In fact, they berated the men for not having the testicular fortitude to fight this injustice. Full Article