I am in complete and utter shock that a Trinidad and Tobago Government Minister can stand in the nation’s parliament and speak about the rape of another parliamentarian’s mother.
When I initially read the many Facebook statuses about this incident, I was a bit hesitant to believe that it actually happened. In what Universe is it appropriate to discuss an issue as sensitive as rape in such a callous manner? The dishonourable Member of Parliament for Tobago East, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin is quoted in the Trinidad Express as saying:
“… a young girl went to take lunch for her father […] in a coal’s pit. When she got there, her father had gone to change his cow. It is a true story. She, however, met her father’s best friend and co-worker alone in the coal’s pit […]. This young girl was then raped by her father’s best friend. The product today is the aspirant to lofty office.
Mr. Speaker, can you imagine the mother carrying this pain and shame for nine months and the impact it had on the unborn child? A child was born and grew to become aggressive, arrogant, bombastic and spiteful.”
Now, I understand that politicians in Trinidad & Tobago are currently on an election footing. I understand that, even though the election date has not been announced, they are all campaigning. I even understand that in an attempt to discredit the Opposition Leader the government brought a motion of no confidence against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.
What I cannot understand, is how Vernella Alleyne-Toppin could think it justifiable to humiliate not just the Opposition Leader’s mother, but an elder in her own community. She has shown a complete disregard for the personal feelings of that woman, if indeed this story is true. She has also insulted, disrespected and mocked every single woman who has ever had to suffer the violation and humiliation of rape. As a woman, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin disgusts me and makes me ashamed to even be associated with her through our Trinbagonian heritage.
Shopping-Toppin (as she is commonly referred to in the media, click here to read more about that 2012 spectacle) aside, this issue serves as a representation of what the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led administration has degraded our parliament to. Imagine an administration led by a woman could endorse such a brutal attack on another woman. What kind of politics is this?
The citizenry of Trinidad & Tobago needs to wake up. We need to start demanding more of our representatives. We cannot allow them to continue with this puerile behaviour and mockery of our country and our people.
I have no hope for the current generation of politicians. I can only hope that the young ones entering the field, as councillors and aldermen and possibly candidates for MP in the upcoming general election, will not follow in the path of their predecessors.
Leadership and representation is not about highlighting the inefficiencies of your opposer. It is about serving the people. Our politicians need only be concerned with the development of our nation and our people. They should be spending their energy, not on digging up dirt on their counterparts but, on developing projects, plans and programs that will benefit their constituents.
Look at the many issues left unaddressed in Trinidad & Tobago:
- Hospitals unstaffed and ill-treating patients
- A run down education system where only a few succeed
- Schools without proper infrastructure and qualified teachers
- Thousands not having access to affordable housing
- An inept police service
- Mismanagement of social services
You can talk to any Trinidadian or Tobagonian and keep adding to this list.
I am disheartened. I am despondent. I feel hopeless.
Trinidad & Tobago WAKE UP.
As Told By Bridget 