It was acclaimed as “the best stage production staged locally for 2018” and that is just of a countless accolades bestowed on the producers of A Noble Cause Gala Concert, staged at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, last riday evening. Staged by the Noble Douglas/Lilliput Foundation to raise much needed assistance to founder and grand dame of T&T dance Noble Douglas, not a seat was empty at the prominent St Ann’s howplace.

“I cried, I laughed, I cheered,” said one young ecstatic former member of the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc (NDDCI), on exiting the venue. She excitedly related how thrilled she was to actually witness, for the first time, a live performance by calypsonian Relator singing his immortal classic Gavaskar.

Gushing, she added a Lord Kitchener classic performed by the trio of David Happy Williams, Etienne Charles and Relator was another memorable high point on the programme.

Also ensuring that A Noble Cause Gala Concert was a memorable night to cherish were 3Canal, bpTT Marionettes Chorale, NDDCI, the Lilliput Children’s Theatre and Ron Reid.

Said another patron and well wisher, “what touched me most is that so many people came out in support of one of our living icons; to celebrate her work and compliment her while she is alive and with us. We have a tendency of praising our cultural icons only after they have left us when we should be respecting and acknowledging them while they live.”

So successful was A Noble Cause Gala Concert that many a patron was also overheard suggesting that Wendell Manwarren and the organising committee should stage a repeat in the not-too-distant future.

“My future is brighter than I could ever have expected and I want to partner with bpTT to help more young people achieve their full potential.”

This declaration was made by valedictorian Amanda Mahadeo who spoke on behalf of 19 young people who graduated from bpTT’s Brighter Prospects scholarship programme during a ceremony hosted at the company’s Hospitality Suite in the Queen’s Park Oval last Thursday.

“I would like to congratulate my fellow graduates,” added Mahadeo. “We made it. As we celebrate this moment, we need to thank bpTT for investing in our dreams. Despite financial challenges and the fact that no one in my family had gone beyond secondary education, I believed in my potential and chose not to waste it.

“I wrote (to) 35 companies and only bpTT responded, informing me about their scholarship programme. I can assert that they have made the greatest impact on young people from Mayaro and environs. They motivate us to be better versions of ourselves and the only thing we can do is make them proud by using our talents to maximum benefit,” explained Mahadeo, who will graduate with a first class honours undergraduate degree in Statistics and Economics from UWI.

Open to residents of Mayaro and environs, Brighter Prospects is one of bpTT’s flagship programmes in its suite of social investment initiatives. Started in 2003, the programme provides financial assistance to students who gain access to tertiary education at approved institutions. The programme has fostered over 550 successful graduates since its inception.

Beyond the financial assistance, the company provides additional support such as academic guidance, motivational sessions and secures internship placements for its scholars.

Giselle Thompson, vice president, corporate operations, bpTT, encouraged the graduates to go further.

She said: “Today is about celebrating accomplishments and I congratulate all of you for completing this stage of your studies. I encourage you to embrace this feeling of accomplishment, but also remember that learning is a lifelong process which extends beyond books and exams.

“Be patient, be persistent, show up strong and you will get your dream job or be successful in your own entrepreneurial endeavours. I look forward to being a part of the future that you are creating for T&T.

“Education is one of our key focus areas and spans early childhood to tertiary level as well as initiatives such as technology in education where we installed SMART Boards in schools and trained teachers in their use, as well as the ARROW Literacy Programme that provides remedial learning for primary school students.”

Thompson added: “We are making a direct impact on the nation by investing in people and I am encouraging each of our graduates to do the same and invest your time and effort in building up your communities.”

The Brighter Prospects scholarship programme has been enhanced over the years to cover a wide range of tertiary education studies, such as information technology, social sciences and medicine, with at least four doctors having graduated thus far. The programme also includes provisions for post-graduate studies.

Sharing some pearls of wisdom was Ruan Mitchell, vice president, human resources, bpTT: “The prospects for the future are really bright based on the cadre of the graduates gathered here today. This is an exciting start to the next chapter of your lives and I want to take a moment to give you a few tips.

“First off, create the capacity for lifelong learning because experience is always the best teacher. Remember that performance matters, in that what you do is just as important as how you do it; and finally, always be willing to change because if you don’t change and adapt, you will get left behind. Our nation needs people like you and beyond even that, there is a world of opportunity awaiting you.”

In a programme punctuated by a virtuoso performance by pan player Kain Cox, of the bpTT Renegades Steel Orchestra, the graduates were also inspired by motivational speaker and educational psychologist, Justin Rodriguez, who urged them to continue along this positive path in life:

“You should be immensely proud of yourselves and whatever you have been doing to get you here, continue and you will reach even further in life. Continue to be the driven and passionate people that you are.”

Nine secondary schools were delighted to receive equipment prizes from FilmTT for their accomplishments in the last Secondary Schools Short Film Festival (SSSFF). Northgate College, Bishops Anstey Trinity College, Hillview College, St George’s College, St Joseph Secondary School, Asja Girls (Charlieville), Asja Girls San Fernando, San Fernando East Secondary, and Speyside High School, Tobago, all received various film-making gear to continue their audio-visual activities.

FilmTT’s general manager, Nneka Luke, explained, “FilmTT remains committed to stimulating and developing the T&T film industry at various levels. Working with young people through this programme, providing them with the tools, the knowledge and the opportunity to learn about alternative careers in the film industry, is a start. We were pleased to observe that, upon visiting each school, film clubs, festivals and film education, while still largely niche, are active. The teachers and principals must be credited as they are instrumental in nurturing student interest in the film and audio-visual world at the secondary school level.”

Since being a part of the SSSFF, several students have demonstrated a continuing passion for film and photography. Hillview College’s film and photography club went on to create other short films such as Sweat and Invisi-bill, which appeared in the 2016 and 2017 T&T Film Festivals respectively. The club even has its own Film Festival which is open to other schools; the event takes place on their campus and has included judges from the UWI Film Programme.

Asja Girls (Charlieville), despite it being their first time entering the festival, won awards for Best Cultural Film with their short film Mami Say, and Best Actress and Best Script/Storyline for the movie Chocolate Please; they expressed their increased appetite for film activities since the festival.

“We created a film club in 2014 to take part in the festival, and we have been searching for more opportunities to participate in projects like it since,” says Asja Girls’ teacher, Usha Pollucksingh. “Our film club hosts girls of all ages, and each have learned that there are viable career options in the film industry. Support is an important part of maintaining the club, however, I have noticed that other areas within schools has more support than the arts and we need to revise this, especially as it pertains to film.”

Northgate College, the school that topped the festival with their movie Timeless by winning the awards for Best Social Awareness Film, Best Actor, Best Editing (tied), Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Overall Film, also expressed their interest in continuing their film projects and participating in audio-visual programmes.

David Phillipe, teacher at Northgate College, said “From the festival, we were able to interact with professionals and receive training in various areas of film-making. We were grateful for the opportunity and would definitely be a part of any future FilmTT projects that promote youth development in film.”

Luke stated, “with film, animation and game design now being offered as a CAPE Creative Arts subject, we can see a growing need for programmes that target youth and development in film, exposing students to the art of film-making and allowing them to consider this field as a possible career. Teachers will continue to be an important force in driving the students’ passions and interest in this sector.”

For further information, please
visit www.creativett.co.tt

In celebration of our 25th anniversary, Alta hosted an afternoon of Readings Under the Trees at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Port-of-Spain, in late March 2018. Alta Tutor Rosemarie Olliverre was the emcee for the ‘Alta Tree’ - the tree under which most Alta students read stories, poems and reflections of their time at Alta. Olliverre has written a reflection on the event which Alta began sharing last week. Continue reading for the final part of Olliverre’s piece.

Among the readers that day was Alta student, Kisha Le Maître who performed a poem she wrote entitled My Secret which ended with the line, “No longer keeping secrets, of myself I can be proud. Walking with my head held high, telling everyone around.” The audience nodded and clapped in approval of her honesty and courage.

Alta tutor Janet Joseph presented her own composition on her thoughts and experience after her car was wrecked. We could all relate to this and enjoyed her lively presentation. This was followed by a tribute from Lester Maitland to his tutors at the Harvard Centre. His delivery was so good; it is becoming evident that the time is fast approaching when Alta will have students who will one day become tutors!

There were many participants representing the different venues and they were all well received, but the most touching presentations came from those who shared their personal experiences of Alta. While some were very nervous and admitted to being so, they were brave enough to share original compositions of their struggle with literacy and the positive impact that the Alta programme has had on their lives. They read pieces that came straight from the heart. We all shared in their struggle and pain as well as their joy of overcoming adversity.

One performance after another punctuated with enthusiastic applause kept the audience engrossed and the time whizzed by. All too quickly it was time to wrap up but not before another kind of sharing began. Then the coolers opened, and it was time to mingle. There were lots of cool drinks, delicious sandwiches, sweet bread, pone, pholourie and plenty of chatter and laughter! The air was filled with contentment and hope as we shared not just food but our common aspirations.

As we walked out of the beautiful gardens, we felt inspired to become better human beings. We bonded on a deeper level, recognising the common thread running through our lives. We could achieve anything we really wanted and triumph over any challenge that life threw at us. We were all connected, all part of one big Alta family.

Over 30 young and eager Spoken Word performers will take the stage today, May 24, at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port-of-Spain. These students will be taking part in the third edition of the Inspire Showcase.

This spoken word poetry display has been sponsored by Republic Bank and managed by The 2 Cents Movement for the past three years.

The Inspire Showcase is the culmination of a Primary School Tour, where poets from the 2 Cents Movement visit primary schools throughout Trinidad and use spoken word poetry to educate and entertain students.

Over the past three years, the poets of The 2 Cents Movement were able to do presentations such as Planting Good Seeds (2016); True Wealth (2017); and, The Right Start (2018).

These presentations usually explore themes such as decision making, financial responsibility, and the current tour explores the rights of a child.

The performance series is always accompanied by a workshop, where students interested in the spoken word craft have an opportunity to learn it. During the Easter break this year, the 2 Cents Movement hosted two Spoken Word Poetry Workshops for three days each. One camp was held at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain and the other at the Nalis Library in Couva. Over 35 young students were able to participate in the camp which surpasses the numbers of the previous years - 14 in 2016 and 17 in 2017.

Artistic director of The 2 Cents Movement, Derron Sandy, has been on every Primary School Tour. He noted that there was a different energy surrounding this year’s Inspire Showcase. “We have continued to improve this year especially by expanding the capacity of the younger poets in The 2 Cents Movement to facilitate workshops for Primary School Children and making the engagement with the children more intensive. The Inspire programme not only builds the capacity of primary school participants, but the capacity of young poets in the 2 Cents Movement to teach and use the craft differently.”

Sandy stated that since the Easter camps there were two additional rehearsal sessions for the children.

As The Little Carib Theatre celebrates 70 years of existence, internationally-renowned classical sitarist Sharda Patasar will take to its iconic Woodbrook stage for a special evening of Indian classical culture and expression on Sunday, June 10, celebrating the arrival of indentured Indian labourers to T&T in 1845.

The commemorative concert—one of four upcoming productions on a colourful calendar that also serves to celebrate the theatre’s 70th birthday—will also feature moving Indian classical dance numbers from troupes headed by Mondira Balkaransingh and Susan Mohip, for whom Patasar will provide the “plucky” North Indian-meets-local-classical soundtrack on the evening.

Daughter to the award-winning musician Mungal Patasar, Sharda has been involved in music from a very young age, and while known for being a solo artiste, has a broad history and interest in collaborating with others in various experimental forms.

Flexing her natural flair for the sitar both home and abroad, she has collaborated with the likes of artist Christopher Cozier and poet Andre Bagoo on experiments with sound, light and words; has worked on soundtracks for plays and local films, most notable among them Coolie Pink and Green, which won Best Documentary Short at the T&T Film Festival 2009; and, more recently, has even served as producer along with photographer Nyla Singh, and music director on the 2017 short film documentary Voices of a Century, which portrays brief oral histories of six East Indian centenarians.

Patasar is particularly looking forward to bringing a taste of India to a venue that is, and has been, an institution for arts in Trinidad. “I can’t think of any space that I love more than Little Carib,” she said. “First, there is the intimacy of the space, and second, the history of the theatre as a home for the arts. So I am thrilled to have been asked to perform for this occasion.”

Showtime for the Arrival Day tribute is 6 pm and tickets, costing $150 each, can be purchased at the venue. For bookings and further information, call 622 4644.

Windward Islands batsman Devon Smith has been recalled to the Windies team for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka in the Caribbean.

The left-handed Smith and Leewards wicketkeeper/batsman, Devon Smith and Leewards wicketkeeper/batsman Jamar Hamilton comes in as the only surprises amongst a core group which played in the last Test series in New Zealand.

Smith gathered 1,095 runs at an average of 84.23 in the last Digicel PCL season.

He became the fourth batsman to score more than 1,000 runs in a single Windies first-class season and he has been rewarded for this.

He won the acclaim of chairman of the selection panel Courtney Browne who said: “We have retained the core of the Test team as they remain competitive even after a tough series in New Zealand. Devon Smith had an outstanding year and players who excel to that degree should be recognised. We are trying to improve our top order batting performances.”

Also coming into the team is Hamilton who was very good with bat and gloves against England A team, becoming the becoming the second Anguillan, behind Omari Banks to make the Test team.

According to Browne:“Jamar Hamilton comes into the squad after consecutive strong performances over the last three years and showed even better quality in the A Team series against the England Lions. We wish the team every success.”

T&T’s Denesh Ramdin who was the second highest scorer in the PCL with 799 runs at 61.46 with three centuries has been overlooked as a wicketkeeper/batsman.

The 13-man squad will start their busy summer schedule against Sri Lanka in the first Test which bowls off on Wednesday, June 6 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

The complete summer schedule includes five Tests, three ODIs and three T20s and CEO, Johnny Grave thinks these two international homes series “will provide an opportunity for the team to improve its rankings in the Tests and One-Day formats.”

The Sri Lanka series will also include the historic day/night Test, scheduled for the Kensington Oval, Barbados from June 23—27. The period will also mark the 90th anniversary since the West Indies became a Test-playing nation.

WINDIES TEAM

Jason Holder – captain, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jamar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach and Devon Smith.

The T&T Hockey Board (T&THB) is pleased to announce that the National Outdoor League is scheduled to commence tomorrow at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua for a ten-week period.

This late start is due to the unavailability of the playing surface at the National Hockey Centre as a result of electrical issues experienced by the facility, followed by the cleaning of the artificial surface, which has not been in productive use for 11 months.

The first game of the 2018 League will be a Trinity Women encounter between Harvard Checkers and Paragon from 12 noon.

The highlights of tomorrow’s opening day will be the Women’s Championship fixture between powerhouse Malvern and Notre Dame from 4 pm, and the Men’s Championship fixture featuring 2016 champions Petrotrin and T&T Defence Force from 7.30pm.

According to the T&THB press release, the playing of a One Round of competition for the Championship Men and Two Rounds for the Championship Women’s Division have been structured to cater for preparation and participation of the national senior teams for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games from July 20 to August 3, 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The executive of the T&THB wishes to make special mention of support by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in addressing electrical and cleaning issues to make the playing of the 2018 season a reality.

Special mention must also be made of the efforts of the senior men’s national training squad and several members of the hockey family, working under the direction of the coach of the senior men’s national training squad, Glenn ‘Fido’ Francis, who has been spearheading the cleaning effort.

Kianna Llewellyn and Janika Jordan picked up multiple medals in their respective age-groups to help Port-of-Spain dominate the Atlantic National Primary Schools Championships.

The duo sped across the track at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, to each cop three gold medals which guided their district to 439 points to claim the title, a narrow 16 points more than Caroni which tallied 423. Third was favourite Tobago with 372. Filling the other places respectively were Victoria (301), St Patrick (282.50), St George East (278), North East (268) and South East (164.50).

Llewellyn completed the sprint double winning the Girls 100 metres dash in 12.71 seconds to comfortably beat Kevah Scott of Tobago into second in 13.08 and third was Victoria’s Akeila Phillip in 13.22.
In the afternoon session, Llewellyn returned to clock 26.82 to ease to victory in the 200m to cross ahead of Taneka Bonnett of North East (28.06) and Victoria’s Sydney Horsford (28.90), respectively.

Later, Llewellyn running the final leg in the Girls 800 Sprint Medley 13-15 relay while partnered with Tia Lewis, Darielle Prescod and Dominique Stewart won gold in a time of 3:29.31. North East was second in 3:31.01 and Tobago third in 3:33.60.

Jordan sprinted to victory in the Girls Under-13 100m and in the 400m event. Jordan was tested by Janae De Gannes but she pulled ahead to win in 12.75 ahead of the Tobagonian in 12.84 while Sierra Joseph (Victoria) was third in 12.98.

In the one-lap race, her 1:01.93-clocking earned her the top of the podium a second time in the morning session. Gianna Paul (St George East) was the runner-up in 1:03.05 and Keneisha Shelbourne (Caroni) crossed third in 1:04.71.

Jordan’s third gold came in the Girls U-13 4x100m relay when she ran the second leg in combining with Fatimah Springer, Shakira Joseph and Abigail Burton to speed across the line in 51.94, to beat Victoria (54.55) and Caroni (54.57).

Sprinter Jenna Thomas also starred on the day winning three gold medals and a bronze in the Girls U-11 category. Her wins came in the 100m, 200m and 300m in her individual events and she ran the opening leg in Caroni’s third-place finish in the Girls U-11 4x100m relay in 58.26. Capturing gold was Port-of-Spain in 56.51 and the silver medallist was North East in 57.56.

J’Nae Bertete (Port-of-Spain) also won two gold medals in the Girls U-9 category, winning the 60m (9.58) and 100m (15.28).

Kyle Williams of St George East was another athlete copping double gold in the Boys U-13 division, dominating the 200m (25.90) and 400m (58.90) events. He also won silver when his team followed Port-of-Spain (52.12), to the line in 52.23 in an exciting affair.

Port-of-Spain won six of the eight relays contested, also getting gold in both the boys and girls relay events in the U-11 division.

The district also dominated the long distance races winning the Girls 1,500m run thanks to the performance of Kayleigh Forde in 5:25.64. Her teammates Tafari Waldron (4:52.69) and Shaquille Lawrence (9:07.59) claimed the Boys Run and walk 1,500m Open titles, respectively.

Three years into leading a section for Fantasy and a much longer period as a masquerader, enter Avinash Suruj with Enless Carnival—a band promising to deliver a total Carnival experience.

It’s no typo; Suruj actually means “Enless,” signifying “a lot”—or more value for money spent. The enterprise was launched in March.

The 33-year-old graduate in economics views Carnival and mas’ as a business opportunity to be grasped, and he hopes to do so in 2019 … with both hands. “It’s an industry where there is no real substitute for the product,” he argues. “Once you play mas’ one time, you also become addicted to it.”

Such a view forms the basis for Suruj’s thesis that Carnival bands need to identify and build niche constituencies and to deliver a high quality experience to a cohort of masqueraders whose desire to participate has been proven not to be heavily affected by market conditions, including the escalating cost of getting involved.

For this reason, the band is not aiming for the big numbers of the more popular competitors but sufficient to ensure a safe and enjoyable “total” Carnival experience for participants, while yielding financial rewards.

“People become involved and continue playing mas, though the market is always changing—there are always new people being added,” he claims. “I can’t remember a time in a Carnival year when there has been a downturn (in participation) ... whatever the situation.”

He cites Carnival 2018 when there were security concerns. “That did not hamper preparations (or) the vibe in the band,” Suruj says. “And this goes to show that it is one of the industries in the country where the demand for the product is very inelastic.”

Design Director of the band, Rieshma Kallap-Gonzales, says the focus will be on quality production of costumes and adaptability to suit individual requirements.

“The quality of our costumes so far will be fantastic,” she says. “As a female, masquerader for example, I have found myself walking around with a tube of glue to stick down a gem or something.”

According to the medical representative and seasoned Carnival campaigner, people need to know that the bands they pay a lot of money to become a part of, are aware of their needs and are prepared to invest in meeting them. For example, the band will feature “executive toilets” and on-the-move costume repair services.

There is however no suggestion, so far, that the band will attempt to outdo the creative offerings of a stalwart such as Peter Minshall. Both Suruj and Kallap-Gonzales are holding design concepts close to their chests at the moment, but insist that the band experience will be more than just a fancy costume.

For balance, veteran designer and nine-time Carnival King Curtis Eustace will be working with the band for 2019 to bring a feature of traditional fancy mas’ to the outfit.

According to Suruj, the design elements of the band will “merge the different styles” of “bikini and beads and the traditional.” So while Enless Carnival will in fact be a “party band” there will be “a big show piece”—a large traditional costume - leading the band.

“We are trying not to lose the historical aspect, but that is not going to affect the bikini and the beads,” the new bandleader says.

He is also not focusing too heavily on the competitive element of Port-of-Spain Carnival mas’. “That is an option we can only decide based on the routes that the NCC assigns,” he says.

Suruj argues that masquerader security is “of utmost importance” and that the band will look at the “tradeoff” between the need to do well in the competition and the security of players.

He however recognises the significance of crossing the main Queen’s Park Savannah stage. “Crossing the staging is a really remarkable experience that all masqueraders enjoy and is the pinnacle of the (Carnival) Monday and Tuesday experience,” Suruj says.

The Enless Carnival crew is not short on confidence ahead of formal announcements on design and cost. Suruj and his team believe they have found a winning formula form Carnival success.

For more than a decade producer Lydon Ross has been staging beauty pageants and with lots of experience under his belt will host screening for mothers tomorrow at Capital Plaza, Lower Frederick Street, Port-of- Spain, at 5 pm.

So, if you are a mother, have a performing talent, have a positive attitude, brim with confidence, a people’s person and a dedicated mother, make your way down to the venue for the screening as this is the kind of mother Ross and his committee are in search of.

Ross also produces the Little Miss Elegance, open to girls eight-12 years,

Little Mr Impressive, for boys eight-12, Miss Talented T&T, for young women without children, between 18-30.

The 2018 Ms Talented Mom Pageant is scheduled for July 22 (Talent) and September 23 (Grand Finals), at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s.

For further information, contact 321-3037.

The eye which dares to peek at the debate on the controversial hijab row on social media is not to be greeted by a refreshing sight. To the casual observer who was convinced that the only thing which seemingly divided Trinidad and Tobago was its politics, it becomes disturbingly manifest that we are possibly faced with a more ominous cloud of fragmentation. One may even assume that the tirade being engaged on social media points distressingly to a “hijab versus kurta fence,” giving solid competition to an already entrenched “red versus yellow brick wall”.

What is being played out on the multiplicity of Facebook groups reflects poorly on us a nation. It replicates a society carrying apparent deep-rooted antagonism, antipathy and hostility towards each other. The viciousness of the cross-talk makes a mockery of our national anthem, which professes the need for every creed and race to find its equal place. And it pours scorn on our national watchwords, one of which beckons our tolerance towards our diversity.

The issues that arise here are innumerable. In the first instance, one wonders what is the true nature and extent of the relationship that exists between the Ministry of Education and the denominational schools.

A point of curiosity also is whether the ministry has ever taken an active interest in the internal policies of these schools and whether there exists a system to ensure that such policies are consistent with not just national law, but with the times in which we live.

Perhaps, more importantly, is the fact that this matter mirrors our collective inability to manage conflict. In every civilised society, disputes and divergence of opinions sprout intermittently. The true test of any functioning democracy then lies in ensuring that such conflict is not fertilised into full bloom. In this particular case, however, the hijab matter, an otherwise tempest in a teacup, has grown into a cyclone of resentment. And that does not reflect well on our ability to reach compromise in the face of disagreement.

To the reasonable mind, it appeared that a speedy, fair and amicable resolution to this issue was standing on the doorstep and that it should have been engaged with urgency to arrest the avalanche of social media aggression. Clearly, there was a need for the interested parties to meet, to deliberate and to resolve. This has not happened, pointing to a veritable breakdown in communication or to an otherwise deficiency in mediation and arbitration machinery and strategy. Instead, a virtual shouting match has erupted about public versus private rights, constitutional liberties, racism, discrimination, bigotry and intolerance. In the end, there are no winners and an embattled social media citizenry remain at war.

The Ministry of Education, on the very day that the school in question submits a report on the issue, now announces that the matter would be resolved in the court, a glaring admittance that there was no meaningful attempt at conciliation. Furthermore, how does expensive litigation repair a badly bruised educational system?

What is required now is a show of maturity and patriotic spirit that would ensure that this exaggerated melodrama does not add further discolouration upon a rainbow nation already faced with more troubling social ills. This is a time to unite against crime, poverty, unemployment and a crumbling economy. This is not the time to throw jabs at each other, but for unification aimed at finding the collective resolve to ensure the stability of a nation depressed.

ASHVANI MAHABIR,
Cunupia

The demon of domestic violence seems to be getting a stronger hold on our nation. Last year we had over of 1,100 reported cases and so far for this year 100. Now do not forget these are reported cases. The records are also showing that citizens are losing their lives due to domestic violence and this should be a serious concern for not just the relevant authorities but for us all in general. In my humble opinion, we all have a role to play in bringing about change in this area. I am well aware that many have taken a back seat when this type of behaviour erupts around them because of fear for their own lives.

However, if we all adopt this type of attitude it will continue to exist in our society and will become even worse if nothing is done positively about it. We have heard of the difficulty the TTPS has to get people to come forward in dealing with domestic violence issues, but we cannot just stop there. I am appealing first of all to victims to stand up for what is right, you were not meant to be treated in this way. Contact relevant authorities for the necessary help. To our citizens, be your sister and brother’s keeper make a phone call when someone is being abused etc.

To those with the power to put laws in place, do all that is possible to protect victims. We must always help the helpless in situations like these. We need to reach out in a new dimension towards these people in our society. Abuse must stop and we are responsible for making this happen.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH,
San Juan

Calls for sexual harassment legislation have become more vociferous over past months. As well as the expected lobby from gender activists, all three newspapers have editorialised in favour of such a law and several leading citizens have expressed support as well.

The most recent call has come from Industrial Court president Debra Thomas-Felix, who last made headlines for taking legal action against panellists at a conference who asserted that the Industrial Court was biased against employers.

“I respectfully suggest that the best place to start may be with legislation which defines sexual harassment, along with the introduction and the initiation of workplace policies which specifically address behaviour which is unacceptable in the world of work,” said Thomas-Felix at a symposium organised by the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC).

However, good policy is a matter of trade-offs since costs, both fiscal and social, are always attached to passing laws and regulations. So the first question is whether sexual harassment is an issue for the heavy hand of the State or whether responses should be left within the purview of companies and organisations.

Significantly, although there is now empirical data on which a policy response can be based, none of the individuals and groups calling for harassment legislation has seen fit to reference the findings.

The IADB-funded National Women’s Health Survey, based on a sample of 1,079 women, has found that “Sexual harassment (at work, on the job, public transport, and virtual spaces) was experienced by 13 per cent of women.” But the most prevalent type of harassment didn’t happen on the job, but was “in the form of electronic messages with sexual content” —i.e. most women who were harassed were harassed by persons whom they had given their contact information to.

In terms of workplace incidents, 2.1 per cent of women had been asked to perform sexual acts in order to get or keep their jobs, while 0.4 per cent had been asked for sex acts in order to pass a job exam.

Extrapolated to the national population of women aged 15 to 64, this works out to over 9,000 women in the first category and just over 1,800 in the second.

However, these numbers, in reality, are much lower, since it is mostly women in their 20s and 30s who have this kind of untoward experience.

So is sexual harassment prevalent enough to justify legislation? The American scholar Stephen Kinsella notes that “To ask whether a law should be enacted or exist is to ask: is it proper to use force against certain people in certain circumstances?” This is the core principle behind the recent repeal of the child marriage and buggery laws.

Anyone who was against those laws must, on the same basis, ask whether force is justified against men who harass women. It is also worth bearing in mind that the politicians who will pass such legislation have different questions, such as: (1) Will this law win or lose votes for my party; (2) Will it extend the Government’s power?

KEVIN BALDEOSINGH
Freeport

Stand For Love is a fund-raising concert by which all proceeds will assist David “Okee Dokee” Huggins acquire a prosthetic leg.

The popular radio show host/musician/professional vocalist and voice over artiste lost his right leg last year due to a diabetic wound.

According to Okee Dokee: “With a waiting list as long as the road to heaven, I made the decision to start a fund-raising effort and so… Stand For Love was born.”

He added: “After a series of physiotherapy and private professional nursing, my residual limb is now healed and ready for fitting.”

Stand For Love, the concert takes place at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, on Wednesday, May 30, from 7:30 pm.

The supporting cast reads like a who’s who in the entertainment industry. Over 18 local artistes have responded positively to call resulting in a mammoth line up.

Performers include Wendell Constantine, Wendy Sheppard, Debbie Nahous, Denyse Plummer, Johann Chuckaree, Raymond Edwards, Ray Holman, Sharlene Flores, Marcia Miranda, Sandra Hamilton, 3Canal, Quattro Musica, Jamal Winchester, Rico DiGuitta Man, Jodel Lutchman, Sergio Stefan Ayoung, Alexander Mack and David Huggins.

Hosts of the evening will be Maurice Brash, Louanna Habib, Sean Mendez and Francesca Hawkins.

A well-known presenter and producer for GEM Radio Network, as well as many of the local radio frequencies, including 105.1FM, Power 102 FM, Rhythm Radio 95.1FM, WeFM, Star 94.7 and 107.7FM, Huggins is also the primary soloist of the St Theresa’s RC Church, Wookbrook.

Friends and supporters are inviting all and sundry to come out, hear your favourite singers and musicians and let’s stand for love on the evening of Arrival Day, the public holiday, to help David “Okee Dokee” Huggins regain his mobility.