Padarath: PNM glorifies Misogyny, Violence and Racial Tension
In a country where so many barriers have been broken for the advancement and progress of women and women’s rights, the despicable portrayal and glorification of violence against women at the PNM’s family day on Sunday is a reflection of the values and leadership of that Party.
We have had several instances where women have been objectified, degraded and ridiculed by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, whose misogynistic comments are well known.
The comments made by the PNM PRO and Minister of National Security that the skit was a “little fun” is as equally troubling as the incident itself. When a Party and a National Security Minister sees the simulation of violence for entertainment and ridicule as trivial then our nation must be truly worried.
Further one must ask the PNM and its PRO why was a woman clad in a sari as oppose to any other ethnic wear if there was no racial undertone. One must also ask the PNM why the colour of the sari was yellow and whether the woman in the skit attempted to portray the leader of the UNC.
This is not the first time a woman in yellow has been portrayed at a PNM family day in a derogatory and disgusting manner. This appears to be a sustained attack on women, the cultural and religious beliefs and practices of East Indians and also the enslavement of PNM supporters, by dressing them up as PNM Guerillas.
Nelson Mandela once said that the worse form of racism is when its’ from those you identify with ethnically. Clearly, the skit on Sunday reflected this. Trinidad and Tobago has become over the years a very integrated society crossing racial and cultural boundaries, we as citizens must no longer be used by the likes of the PNM to create division, hate and bigotry. Our country is mother Trinidad and Tobago and we are Trinbagonian before anything else.
When the PNM is floundering politically they become vicious and desperate. They are always the first to accuse everyone else of race baiting when they historically have used these tactics to create strife.
Further, there are those in the new guard of the PNM who have sort to justify the portrayal of PNM supporters as Monkeys and Apes as a “little fun”. This is an insult to those supporters whose ancestors fought long and hard to break the shackles of racism and prejudice.
I applaud the political leader of the UNC for staying above the fray and never descending or condoning gutter politics as we saw on Sunday in the PNM camp. Like Draupadi in the Mahabharat her dignity, character and integrity can never be unraveled or disrobed, she continues to have tremendous faith in the lord and this is reflected in the values and principles that she holds and shares with the national community, women and children in particular.
The Princes Town MP called on the leader of the PNM to apologize for the distasteful, racist and insulting sentiments put on by the PNM on Sunday.