70: Remembering a Revolution

I was not even thought of when the Black Power uprising took place in Trinidad and Tobago in 1970.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to go to see the documentary film of this period. Directed by Alex de Verteuil and Elizabeth Topp, they brought to the screen the various views, images and memories of those who were involved in this movement.

The film technically speaking was a great piece of work. Although for someone like myself who knew nothing about that time there could have been more editing techniques used to keep the audiences' attention. I stayed awake during the film because I wanted to KNOW. But the film lacked the power of keeping someone's attention and I believe that even for those who don't want to know we need to find a way to portray this information so that they at least want to listen.

When I left The Little Carib Theatre where the screening was held, I must say I left with lots of emotions swelling up inside of me. Feelings from remorse and sorrow to feelings of anger and disgust.

My angry feelings were directed at a period that I "believed" tried to do something about a situation but only made it worse especially for those who had to live through 1990 and beyond. Coincidentally in 1990 there was another uprising in Trinidad and Tobago.

I felt sorrow and remorse for those who had to live through a type of discrimination that really and truly should have never existed, but the fact is it does exist and still exists and we don't know when it's going to disappear. For my generation I think we've reached a stage where we accept and we don't care if people discriminate against us - our attitude now is, "your loss". But that's because we have options now.

What I keep in mind about this time is that, as I said before - I was not even thought of. So I do not know what situations the people of 1970 were living under. However when they describe these situations I look around and feel that it is same. There is still racial discrimination, class discrimination, educational discrimination. So although now a little black girl like myself can get three degrees in Engineering and Business and get a job, I am still not of the "class" of people who can afford a house and a car.

For myself and many young people today, whether they be white or black, Chinese or Indian there is a different level of discrimination that exists today and tomorrow it will simply be replaced by another. For the disenchanted among the youth, I will ask you to view this film and not judge the people of this era because there were some benefits that came out of this period but rather see how it is possible to rally around a right cause. The methods I will never agree with but the cause was important.


Personally I blame this period for a lot of the lawlessness that exists in our country today. This period dealt poorly with a military mutiny that in my opinion left the impression on all citizens that you can do the unspeakable in this country and get away with it! I was told by one born years before 1970 that perhaps it has something to do with the fact that our country is named after The Trinity. That is why we are so forgiving.

Needless to say for someone who cared very little about the history of my own country I must thank the producers and directors for helping understand why our country is the way it is today, where we've come from and a glimpse of the vision that was held for this country. I still feel we have a long way to go.