The Trinidadian Story: Tragedy Or Gain?
I am not appalled by the many cries in support of boycotting products coming into our island from Trinidad & Tobago. We have visited many forums with disgust and disapproval at the obvious contempt displayed by the Trinidadian authorities. However, their claim of wrongdoings by Jamaicans and additional burden that is placed on their government may not be just a myth. This reality does exist within our own domestic environs, facing the same challenges by lazy and disruptive Jamaicans.
We walk around with placards saying “We want justice!” for everything we get upset about. Yet, we don’t even know justice if it slaps us in the face with a capital J. In fact, we would have sold our share of justice to Trinidad and Tobago if we could because that’s what we do, we sell. We sell anything, for any price, to rid ourselves of hard work and sacrifice in building and rebuilding. Then we complain when anyone takes the opportunity and build on it right in front of our eyes.
One key fact is that Jamaican companies do perform better when sold to the Trinidadians, not because they are better at business but because they are better opportunists. The trend to speak ill of Trinidad has increased in recent times due to the perceived unfair treatment of some Jamaicans who tried to enter their territory. The evidence is on the table and will be viewed differently by both countries. I am, by no means in support of Jamaicans being mistreated by the Trinidadian government but I must say that we tend to pursue bad relationships as a people.
We have embraced the change and allowance to convert our passports to read Caricom Country. Yet, I must ask, “Where do we get the notion that there is a ‘common wealth’ of existence outside of Jamaica and within the Caribbean?” We struggle to adjust to the tier of classes that separate and exploit us within our own country and if you don’t believe it’s real, ask Usain. If we can’t unravel that, how can we try to change the throttle hold of prejudice that we receive from the Trinidadians. The scorn that they mete out is not just a play on their egos but an embedded cultural boil that have been festering for decades.
There are many variables that create tension in relationships at all levels and territorial relationships are no different. We have to view it with a distinct and fluid discernment before we can appreciate this situation as it now exists. Partisan ties; lack of economic opportunities; social degradation; patriotic disconnect; personal biases (including sexual and gender); and religious perplexities are some of our existing and growing issues. Though I strongly believe that policy agreements have contributed to the flooding of our economy with the importations of goods, labour and business culture from within the Caribbean, I still have many questions.
However, I will just ask this one for now. How is it that Trinidad has such a stronghold on our economy with very few restrictions on their ability to manipulate the manner in which it is done? I can only see one avenue and that’s through bad governance. Succeeding governments have employed the use of loyalty points in appointing individuals within certain portfolios, even when their qualifications point elsewhere. This nonsensical approach to grow our economy has failed on many occasions and on many levels. We need the right person for the job!
We have not given in to the context of economics that to grow, we must first produce and export more than we import, therefore, moving our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) upwards, in a positive manner. This brings me back to the point that our dependency on imports will always trigger the influx of unnecessary and inferior products into our Jamaican market. We have Jamaican alternatives for every item imported! We don’t practice to buy Jamaican because we live in disbelief of our own potential; our own expertise; and our own opportunities.
Trinidad has spent decades studying our lifestyles and practices. It then lies in wait for tangible opportunities to snatch and recreate into household brands, the many failing companies which are then sold to us, rebranded. At no time did the freedom of movements and trade take away our rights to protect our own, whether by internal policies or by cultural changes. We tend to be disgruntled by anything that affects us, but never seek to question it in the drafting stages with any conviction. This is where we fall short and must take responsibility for the domino effect of the Trinidadian invasion and acquisitions.
We are a country of poets and writers; intellects and thinkers; complainants and naysayers but never one to act on; create or develop ideas that build us. We write well in dialect and standard form to express our disgust with Trinidad and never write usable solutions that we can use. We have the best concepts and remedies to our crises, but never thought to pursue a format that fully explains and corrects the rationale behind the above-mentioned Trinidadian invasion. Personally, I would love to see the Jamaican economy boom with the efforts of our people, acting in a unified thrust to build and secure its own legacy.
The meltdown of the economy in the 90’s and the takeover by the FINSAC regime left questionable sales and purchases which, today, have come back to haunt us, while FINSAC exists without consequence. The derelict state in which the financial meltdown left us, created a sizeable deficit in both production and economic growth. This was the opportunity that Trinidad savoured with an insatiable business appetite which was sold to us by the government as a viable rescue mission.
We must never forget that corruption has always been a part of our informal and formal business practices, both in government and our corporate society. Therefore, we cannot change a culture overnight but we can begin the reform of our attitudes by:
- Educating ourselves to the products and services that are not Jamaican
- Changing our personal dependency and use of such products and services
- Getting involved in the decision process of government owned businesses or properties being sold. Remember, if it’s Jamaican, it’s ours!
- Buying Jamaican products and services made and offered by Jamaican businesses and individuals.
- Becoming innovators who positively affect the whole process of growth within the various industries.
- Knowing the value of patriotism and understanding that Jamaican loyalty is priceless in moving us forward
When we have entrenched, in our minds, all these things then we have to look at the contributions that the Trinidadians have made to our economy, if any. These takeovers are usually done by business minds and not the government of Trinidad. Though, it wouldn’t be a surprise that many Trinidadian government officials have controlling or part share in many of these enterprises. This points to our own government not practicing the requisite codes of transparency and it is time to hold them forcefully accountable.
We still have to be wise in the way we handle the discussion process about the extent of any boycott of Trinidadian products on our shelves. They are most pronounced in three vital and crippling sectors that provide employment and job stability to thousands of Jamaicans. These individuals will put job security before any other decision, after all, how many jobs are lying in wait for them to accept? Presently, Trinidad has a firm hold within our distribution, financial and manufacturing sectors.
To be radical is to be foolish so we must utilize the necessary tools of negotiation and public relations to decisively come to a consensus as to the way forward. In all fairness, we must remember, there are two sides to this story: The Jamaican and the Trinidadian perception which are both affected by personal values and culture. So my advice to all who are disgruntled by this unpleasant and ongoing squabble is to “dance a yaad before yu dance abraad!” But if that is not enough, then note this blatant outburst:
DO NOT VISIT Trinidad and Tobago!
Indeed,
This is O.A. Lyle
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