CONVERSATIONS ON RACE, POLITICS AND LEADERSHIP IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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August 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM -
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- MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICAN EMANCIPATION DAY 2026
- THE PM'S "OFFICIAL" EMANCIPATION DAY MESSAGE
- SOCIOLOGIST'S OBSERVATIONS ON RACE, POLITICS AND LEADERSHIP IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
- COMMENTARY BY POLITICIANS, POLTICAL ANALYSTS AND ACTIVISTS
- CITIZENS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND COMMENTARY
THE PRIME MINISTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WENT ON A RACIALLY-TINGED POLITICAL RANT ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN EMANCIPATION DAY
MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICAN EMANCIPATION DAY 2026
Today, I proudly join the people of Trinidad and Tobago in celebrating African Emancipation Day and the 188th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in 1838, in remembrance, gratitude and hope.
I extend my warmest wishes to everyone participating in the many observances taking place throughout our nation. May they be safe, uplifting, meaningful, and filled with the spirit of unity, reflection and pride.
The transatlantic slave trade remains one of history's greatest crimes against humanity. Millions of African women, men and children were torn from their homeland, deprived of their liberty and subjected to unspeakable cruelty.
Yet no chain could imprison their spirit, no injustice could extinguish their humanity, and no oppression could silence their determination to be free.
Their emancipation helped shape the modern Caribbean and laid the foundations upon which Trinidad and Tobago would grow.
Their descendants have enriched every sphere of our national life—our music, literature, language, faith, festivals, cuisine, education, business, public service, science and sport.
THE PNM MPS AND OWNERS BELIEVE THAT DESTROYING AFRO TRINIDADIANS SUPPORTIVE OF THE UNC AND SPREADING COOLIE HATRED IS A GOOD POLITICAL STRATEGY
The PNM MPs, owners and supporters idea of celebrating Emancipation Day was to denigrate, humiliate and tear down Indo and Afro Trinidadians who don’t support their political party.
This version of the PNM under Penelope Beckles is the most hateful racist and divisive. What they did to Michelle Benjamin and Selwyn Cudjoe over the emancipation weekend is disgusting.
This sick version of the PNM mobilized and encouraged their supporters to curse, insult abuse UNC officials during emancipation day celebrations and thus denigrate and desecrate the holiday.
Last night a number of PNM persons contacted me to condemn the behavior of their party and to disassociate themselves from Penelope Beckles and the current leadership of the PNM.
The PNM MPs and their supporters are so hateful and deranged that they will try the same thing again on Independence Day and humiliate themselves once more.
The members of the emancipation support committee sat on that stage in POS and looked on non-bothered as the PNM supporters abused and humiliated Michelle Benjamin and never spoke up to stop it. That is how they celebrated emancipation day by allowing PNM political hacks to abuse a young brilliant hardworking and kind Afro Trinidadian daughter, Michelle was allowed to be abused because they did not see her as a representative of the African community but instead saw her as my daughter.
They believed that if they couldn’t attack me the next best thing was to abuse my daughter Michelle.
Similarly Selwyn Cudjoe was attacked because the PNM MPs , owners and supporters do not see him as a strong respected Afro Trinidadian elder who has dedicated his life’s work to the uplifting of all people of this country, he was attacked because he is my friend.
I don’t care if the PNM MPs, owners and supporters insult and call me a stinking coolie but Michelle Benjamin and Selwyn Cudjoe are wonderful people who were viciously attacked because the PNM believes that spreading coolie hatred and destroying Afro Trinidadians supportive of the UNC is a political strategy.
THE PM'S "OFFICIAL" EMANCIPATION DAY MESSAGE
MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP, ON THE OCCASION OF AFRICAN EMANCIPATION DAY 2026 🇹🇹
Today, I proudly join the people of Trinidad and Tobago in celebrating African Emancipation Day and the 188th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in 1838, in remembrance, gratitude and hope.I extend my warmest wishes to everyone participating in the many observances taking place throughout our nation. May they be safe, uplifting, meaningful, and filled with the spirit of unity, reflection and pride.
The transatlantic slave trade remains one of history's greatest crimes against humanity. Millions of African women, men and children were torn from their homeland, deprived of their liberty and subjected to unspeakable cruelty.
Yet no chain could imprison their spirit, no injustice could extinguish their humanity, and no oppression could silence their determination to be free.
Their emancipation helped shape the modern Caribbean and laid the foundations upon which Trinidad and Tobago would grow.
Their descendants have enriched every sphere of our national life—our music, literature, language, faith, festivals, cuisine, education, business, public service, science and sport.
I am proud that Trinidad and Tobago became the first nation in the world, in 1985, to proclaim Emancipation Day a national public holiday. That historic decision inspired similar observances across the region and beyond. It honoured those whose sacrifice helped build our nation and ensured that their story would be preserved for future generations.
For me, the enduring lesson of Emancipation is that freedom is never merely inherited. It must be cherished, protected and strengthened by every generation.
The greatest tribute we can pay those who came before us is to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice—one founded on justice, equality, opportunity and respect for the dignity of every citizen.
As we commemorate African Emancipation Day, I invite every citizen to join me in remaining united in purpose, steadfast in our commitment to justice, and confident in our shared future.
Happy African Emancipation Day, Trinidad and Tobago.
May Almighty God continue to bless our great nation and all its people.
SOCIOLOGIST'S OBSERVATIONS ON RACE, POLITICS AND LEADERSHIP IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Sociologist Dr. Mwale Henry joined CNC3’s The Morning Brew for a powerful conversation on race, politics, leadership and the urgent need for honest conversations in Trinidad and Tobago.
dr mwale on race and politics.mp4
COMMENTARY BY POLITICIANS, POLTICAL ANALYSTS AND ACTIVISTS
DR. SELWYN CUDJOE THANKS THE PM FOR HER "KIND: WORDS
PENELOPE BECKLES-ROBINSON, MP, OPPOSTION LEADER
“Her decision to decline the invitation of the Emancipation Support Committee to attend Saturday’s Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village 2026 was disdainful; and her further suggestion that Emancipation is somehow a PNM celebration adds a layer of discrimination to that disdain,” Beckles said.
She said Emancipation belongs to the nation and not to any political organisation.
Beckles also criticised a University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Emancipation Day programme that linked the abolition of slavery with the end of Indian indentureship.
“It is equally telling that the Prime Minister refused to acknowledge the inappropriateness of the event hosted by UTT and its current management, doubling down on the insult to the African community by her careless words,” Beckles said.
The Opposition Leader also condemned Persad-Bissessar’s comments referencing Syrian-Lebanese businesswoman Star Sabga and Genevieve Hadeed.
“As for the Prime Minister’s loose and vile comments linking Star Sabga and Jenna Hadeed to Emancipation; while they expose her poor political judgment and political expediency, they also reinforce something much more sinister—the growing perception that the PDO investigations were never about justice, but were a politically motivated personal vendetta,” Beckles said.
“This Government is led by a Prime Minister who gaslights the population about unity, while she is publicly and daily engaged in deepening racial and political divisions.”
Beckles questioned the Government’s plans for the Independence Day parade while the North Stand remains in place.
“After it visibly disrupted the flow of the Emancipation Village, where exactly does the Government intend to host the national parade? Is this an attempt to avoid boos?” she asked.
She said the UNC must accept growing public dissatisfaction.
“The UNC accepted the outcome of the General Election on April 28, 2025; and they must similarly accept that the pot of public dissatisfaction is bubbling over due to their dismal and vindictive governance style.”
Beckles also criticised the Government for not holding press conferences to address national issues.
“When a Government avoids press conferences to escape scrutiny, distances itself from public events for fear of public reaction, and seeks to silence cultural presentations because it dislikes criticism, that Government is a clear and present threat to democracy,” she said.
She called on Persad-Bissessar to step aside.
“The Prime Minister cannot withstand criticism, cannot face the people, and cannot uphold the dignity of the office she holds. Kamla Persad-Bissessar has violated the tenets of her oath to serve without fear and favour, malice and ill-will: she must do the honourable thing and step aside, allowing the PNM to lead this country with unity.”
Beckles ended her statement with the phrase “We will Remember”—the same words shouted at Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin during Saturday’s celebrations.
Mrs Beckles-Robinson followed up with a post on social media calling the Prime Minister's response "Crazy rants and public meltdowns"
The Prime Minister has Questions to Answer.
We will not be distracted by the Prime Minister's crazy rants and public meltdowns. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago once again call upon Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to provide accountability and transparency to the nation.
For twelve weeks, this Government has failed to hold post-Cabinet media briefings, leaving many serious unanswered questions concerning their governance, including but not limited to: corrupt government procurement, job losses, the economic contraction, the State of Emergency, the ongoing passport shortage, the data centre debacle, increasing water shortages, inadequate garbage collection nationwide, and the disastrous UNC policies on the energy sector and foreign affairs.
The CSO figures, cited in the national press, confirmed the grim reality that employment fell by 5,900 jobs in the first quarter of 2026, while unemployment rose from 4.3% to 5.4%. This is yet another critically significant development that deserves to be addressed immediately by the Prime Minister, in a manner that befits the office that she holds.
Additionally, it would be fitting for the Prime Minister to properly address the concerns about the UNC's perpetual States of Emergency as recently raised by the United States Ambassador-designate to Trinidad and Tobago.
The PNM certainly will not fall for the calculated attempts at distraction perpetrated by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Prime Minister, we call upon you to provide accountability and transparency to the people of this nation. By virtue of the Office you hold, you have many questions to answer.
Stop with the unhinged ranting, head up to St. Ann's (to the Diplomatic Center), face the media and the public like a real Prime Minister, and properly address the issues affecting our nation.
Pennelope Beckles MP
Leader of the Opposition
9:25 AM · Aug 3, 2026
Randall Mitchell, Former Culture Minister
Here are my views on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s absence from yesterday’s African Emancipation Day observance, and why I believe UTT’s approach to commemorating the occasion was inappropriate.
randal mitchell on kamla rant.mp4
Stuart R Young SC @StuartRYoung1
Let us remind ourselves of the importance of the contributions of every creed and race in making our Trinidad and Tobago as great as it is.
Proud Trinbagonian and patriot Stuart R. Young, SC, MP
stuart young proud trinbagonian.mp4
So the public expressing their open frustration at her failed hateful and vindictive policies are the doings of the PNM?
I presume it is the PNM that took bread out of the mouths of tens of thousands of people, including children and you think that your hurt is more worthy of attention than the starving hordes. You are not the first. Go and ask Marie Antoinette.
This woman poses a great danger to the social and racial stability of this country. She is out of control and needs to STOP!
Political scientist Dr Bishnu Ragoonath
said the Prime Minister may have chosen not to attend because she anticipated hostility, but argued that experienced political leaders must be prepared to face criticism.
“I would have thought that the Prime Minister has very tough skin,” he said.
“Everything the Prime Minister does is going to be under a microscope. She should have known that long time, since she entered into politics. She has choices to make, and she has made certain choices.”
Ragoonath suggested Persad-Bissessar may have believed the event risked becoming politicised.
“I am almost certain that she was of the opinion that somehow, some way or the other, they’re going to make this into a more political issue rather than an Emancipation issue. And it is in that context she may have decided not to attend.”
He declined to predict the long-term political consequences.
“As to whether or not it was wrong for her to go or not go, I would not comment on that. But there is a political price to pay for every decision.”
Political analyst Winford James
said Persad-Bissessar’s absence could reinforce perceptions among some voters, despite her previous attendance at Emancipation celebrations.
He argued that national leaders must rise above ethnic politics while cautioning that such issues must be considered within their historical context.
James said Persad-Bissessar was correct that political leaders cannot satisfy everyone.
“How can you be right? Because you can’t attend everything, eh,” he said.
However, he criticised the Prime Minister’s comments about inviting Sabga and Hadeed to perform at next year’s celebrations following controversy over tassa drumming and Indian classical dance performances during a UTT Emancipation event.
James said the Prime Minister should avoid becoming involved in such disputes.
“She doesn’t have quite that steadiness of mind when she’s responding because she is already to fight. I get the impression she always wants a fight. She should not be getting involved in issues of that kind. She must rise above the fray.”
He also argued that Trinidad and Tobago needs a more open conversation about race and culture.
Responding to reporters, Persad-Bissessar said:
“If the PNM MPs and their supporters don’t want East Indians to participate in Emancipation events, that’s their democratic choice. Maybe next year the PNM could lobby UTT to invite Star Sabga and Jenna Hadeed for a spoken word performance instead.”
CITIZENS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AND COMMENTARY
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