Fifty years, by any stretch of the imagination, is an achievement. That’s why it’s called Golden. As Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 50 years of Independence, we should all pause and reflect. Like many of my fellow citizens, I love T&T and wish to live nowhere else. That is not to say that there are no aspects of life here that bother my spirit. There are things that I wish we did not have to experience. But it is all part and parcel of the evolution of this space we called T&T. We can’t change the past, we can however, learn from it . Truth be told some of our most exasperating short comings are what make life in T&T a never ending thrill. During the 50 years, there are any number of things we can point to and say; if we only did this rather than that we could have been much further advanced as a nation and a society. Most people would point to corruption as a main sin. The facts suggest that a lot of oil and gas money have been wasted and for a country that has enjoyed such a financial largesse, more of our citizens could have benefitted. The quality of our health system, education system, policing to name but a few, could or should have been world class, technology driven and cutting edge. Our sports system likewise. But at the end of the day, the present is not as many would have it.
Unlike human beings, for whom 50 years is a signpost that the second half of the century may not be attained, a nation can count on a longer lifecycle. However it is human beings that make up a nation.
So the pertinent question is not where are we after 50 years but where do we want to be?
What kind of country and society will T&T be when she celebrates her centenary.
Isn’t it time we learn from our mistakes and put an end to repeating the same errors?
Reading the daily newspapers is such a dispiriting experience in this our 50th year.
But maybe that is the cross we must bear to fully understand our self, nation and society.
Where do we go from here T&T?
What are we leaving for the next generation and the generation after that?
To my mind, the contemplation is not if the Scott Ryder report is right or wrong or which group of politicians is more corrupt or insincere.
Could that be the problem?
Or should we focus on the intangible things that shape nationhood.
What are our values and characteristics? What are the things that matter most to us as a people?
What are the ideas that inspire and motivate us?
Are we happy? Do we have peace of mind?
Can we truly say every creed and race find an equal place or that we stand side by side islands of the blue Caribbean Sea. While we have come a long way since August 31, 1962 and there is much to be proud about, we should seek no comfort in self-satisfaction or complacency. T&T as a nation and society, has not fulfilled its true potential . Too many decisions appear to be informed by selfishness, greed or narrow insularity. We have allowed T&T to be manipulated by those who lack a big vision and dream for our nation and society.  As we set sail for the next 50 years, may purposeful living, creativity, integrity, innovation, honesty, reliability, humility and selflessness reign supreme. God bless our nation. Happy and thoughtful 50th birthday T&T.
-Brian Lewis
Source: www.guardian.co.tt