Dear Editor,

It’s the beginning of a new year, but the killings and lawlessness continues unabated. Already the Opposition and aspiring politicians are out there blaming the Government. Looking for a person, a leader, some saviour to rescue the country from this scourge of criminal activity and disorder.

The reality is that no one person caused this level of chaos. Which politician is responsible for the young lady who in a moment of passion ended up pregnant for a person who had absolutely no interest in starting a family?

Which politician can be blamed for the notorious gang members who decided to ignore the Government’s initiatives and similar opportunities for long-term personal development and choose lawlessness? Is there a political party that is responsible for the many who now believe that there is no God and see religion and spirituality as creations of men to reign over the vulnerable?

The beast, the lion of deceit, the king of brutality reigns supreme. He decides who gets contracts, and you must see him to get simple things like a driver’s licence or a firearm permit. He decides who gets elected to office. He runs the garbage dump, the offices of governance, the ports, the schools, and the towns and villages. Almost everywhere there is thuggery and dominance by force.

The average citizen is of the view that it is useless to attempt to fight that very powerful beast. So as a nation we cower, we conform, and we accept our fate with sadness and despair.

That beast thrives on lies and disunity. So everyday there are messages that will continue to sow seeds of divisiveness and distrust.

Can the country fight such a beast and return to a place of peace and prosperity? Can we see harmony in our neighbourhoods? Can our children return to schools with hope and be the new leaders of a progressive tomorrow? Can the people overpower the beast?

The answer lies in an old African proverb: “When spider webs unite, they tie up the lion.”

Steve Alvarez

Trinidad and Tobago

bilcoa@hotmail.com