Pan Trinbago members are more unified than ever…
By Aquil Arrindell
I am concerned that a level of immaturity plagues our pan politics. It can undo the work the the C.I.P. have done in the last year and a half to unite the movement. We are fighters and we are vocal when expressing our views and thoughts. The CIP believes that change starts with one voice, therefore freedom of speech is fundamentally important to affect change. However, when expressing our views, we should exercise responsibility for the sake of preserving the unity of our organization.
The first official CIP meeting, after the Players Pan United Movement started the resistance, all were invited. I remember having long conversations on the phone with individuals who were adamant that they would not come because of their differences with others. This was also a challenge the CIP had with Tobago. The person who kept us connected was Mrs. Beverly Ramsey Moore, a woman from Tobago. I carried my band to perform at a show she and I hosted and Mrs Moore made all the accommodation arrangements and even spent from her coffers to make sure we were comfortable. My members and I who are of all races felt welcomed and we will extend the same courtesy to her band very soon. My band is eternally grateful and although she and I share different political views, we are mature enough to respect each other for them, same as with CIP members. I do hope the rest of the fraternity can take example. Gradually though, through continuous discussion with Mrs. Moore, brokering between the Tobago bands and the CIP was able to make a united front.
The chairmen’s forum which comprised of Carlon Harewood, Marie Tobey, and Mr. Gerard Mendez, together with the International Steel Band foundation (the big5) also united with the CIP to bring us to this point. The south chairman was never part of the struggle so I was the liaison officer with the many south bands who were active with us.
On Tuesday 17th, we of different races, demographics and political affiliations will come together to fix our organisation and no amount of antics and political gimmickry will stop what we are going to accomplish.
The CIP is appealing to all pan people. Let us not allow the election season to get the better of us. We all have to work with each other before and after the instalment of the next executive. Let us be responsible with our utterances. Don’t let our ambitions divide us once again. With unity there is strength and we must exercise a certain level of trust to stay united. Live and love, make peace with yourself in order to make peace with others and be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
Document of Concerned Individuals for Pan
Replies
You are correct Mercer, if Diaz was President for 6 years I see on reason why Aquil can't be President. He has all the qualities to make a good leader, he showed us the last couple ah months and his youth gives him the edge...
"Let us be more responsible with our utterances". Who determines what is responsible? We (y'all) are getting ready for elections. Who are the candidates? Will these candidates be vetted, if so, by whom? I don't have a vote, but all I have is a voice. One may not agree with another's utterances/opinions, but it's important to come together for the betterment, not of PanTrinbago, but that of pan people.
Aquil: You are dealing with some desperate ------- ah cyar use the word I want to use. And for the very last time -- you do not understand DESPERATION in TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO!!!