Temporary rifts are instigated by factors like distrust stemming from history and prejudice; promises that have been unfulfilled and loyalty embedded in skin. The subjects include the lowly, the hurt, egomaniacs, opportunists, the misinformed, the traditionalists, the naïve and the elitist who treasure their privilege. Something heard or said, something inherited or bred, we are exposed. Some say they are godly but seem to abandon God and godliness during this time; masks are removed to reveal ugliness much more grotesque that the face of any man. A display of puppetry with the majority choosing to hang on strings of red, black and gold or green and yellow. In some spaces where there is usually unity, suddenly, you are not my neighbour. In some spaces where loyalty should exist, suddenly, you are not my friend. In some spaces where it is the blood that binds us, suddenly, you are not my kin.
During the 2015 election campaign, ties were cut with two acquaintances because of opposing political views. I say acquaintances now, because I do not believe genuine friendships should end because of politics. In both instances I was not the one who chose to sever ties. At first, I was surprised, but I choose not to mourn lost friendships. Often, we expect much when the evidence that just a smidgen of our expectations will actually come to be, stares us in the face.
While in 2015, I openly stated who I would support in the elections, this time I choose silence. It is not that I have lost interest in the affairs of the country or will boycott the polling booth, but I prefer silence these days. Silence not only about my views on politics, but in several aspects of my life I have found peace in the stillness.
As an ordinary citizen there is no requirement for me to openly endorse any political party or candidate; I do not wish to participate in debates about who is best suited to run this country; I have no desire to clad myself in party colours or mark myself with their symbols; I will not get lost in crowds teary eyed and chanting while voices boom on public address systems.
Sometimes when we have had enough of the same, we detach. I am tired and bored of the political rituals. What new creative ways are politicians using to capture the minds of the people? Trinidadian rhythms inspired political songs? What is new about their messages?
But perhaps I am making a bold assumption that the speechifying would be the familiar like “remember when they did this and when we did that” or “let progress continue and forward ever” or “we plan to do this and we plan to do that.” Still the inanities plaguing our spaces cannot be escaped as March 2nd slowly creeps up on us. Though some of us choose silence, it is difficult choosing not to see or hear. We notice the party loyalty that seems to diminish the common sense in some of our people. We cannot pretend that we are unaware of the vile exchanges between friends and foes. We cannot ignore that the majority of the country is split in two and the calls for national unity during this time are like pouring water in a leaky cup, trying to write with a hand that is broken, looking for fruit on a tree whose branches are dried or trying to use a key that cannot unlock anything.
Nomination Day was last week Friday and one of the images captured was a picture of two people supporting the major opposing sides holding each other. Another highlight was a man dressed in the colours of the opposition carrying the flag of the parties in power. Many people celebrated this because despite all the divisions that occur during this time, we know that we need each other and with unity we are stronger; and it is what we largely have when politics is not a factor.
During the campaigning season many of us let the politics affect our relationships with friends, colleagues and even relatives. Some people are even assaulted for supporting whichever party they choose. Some political parties cannot venture into some areas where strongholds of their opponents live. These are not new issues, and these are realities we should be ashamed of as a nation. These are issues that continue to cripple us and expose our hate and while sometimes it the history that has hurt the people that influences their actions, often the participants cannot justify their senselessness.
But nevertheless, many people blindly support whichever party they choose, and it is their right. Some defend their leaders regardless of their failures. Presidential hopefuls are esteemed like saviours even though sometimes it is clear that they lack vision, are unimaginative or are self-absorbed.
If most of us took the time to quietly evaluate our politicians and chose not to openly support them, I wonder what changes it would inspire. If we decided not to attend village meetings to hear what we have heard before; if we decided not to follow the crowd to rallies where we are encouraged to dream; if we decided not to carry flags or wear t-shirts, but quietly observe our politicians. Would there be more harmony among the people during this time? What would the politicians do if there were no subjects before them? How would it inspire them if they were not sure about the support of the people? Would they panic? Would they come together to strategize? Would there be new approaches focused on the will and needs of the people? Would they choose to follow the people instead of expecting the people to follow them?
But let’s be honest. Such reveries will remain just that. The people have been conditioned. I am convinced most do not wish to support any real efforts to change what has been hurting us. Ours is a story where there is never really a resolution to the crisis. The plot keeps taking us back to the crisis over and over again and sadly, some of us seem to love it.
