Parallels between Trinidad and the United States: curfews, detentions, and anxiety among citizens

Although there are major differences between Trinidad and the U.S., there are similarities between the two countries - anxiousness and detainment of people due to security and economic issues.


Anxiety in Trinidad: The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, known as "The Land of Paradise," remains under a limited state of emergency until December. It has been reported that the whole country has been under a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew since August 2011, while others say that only certain regions have been targeted, and citizens in certain areas can go about their normal routines after dark.

"We can't plan for next year," said a citizen who wants to remain anonymous who is living in an Ariman community known as Santa Rosa Heights, 15 minutes from the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad. "Clothing is not a problem, but getting food is because the prices keep going up and up," she said. "We can't afford the basics."

According to the CIA Factbook, "The government is coping with a rise in violent crime" in Trinidad. Violent crimes are defined as homicides, forcible rapes, robberies, and assaults. This Caribbean island, once a British Protectorate, is having major security issues as well as recurrent problems from heavy rainfall and flooding which all hamper the country's progress.

She said she feels the anxiety that comes from living a day to day existence. "Today was good; now let's see what will happen tomorrow." Residents worry that people placed in detention facilities across from housing complexes will break out and then break into their homes.

It's coming down to survival of the fittest. "I wish they would ship them all away from here," said the East-Indian native. Trinidad’s motto is "Together we aspire, together we achieve," but there remains turmoil between the races of the country's 1.3 million inhabitants.

Anxiety in U.S.: The U.S. is known as "The land of the free and the home of the brave." Recently, curfews have been enacted in various cities due to Occupy protests, while most states have permanent curfews set up for those under 18 years of age. Curfew laws can be overruled by the Constitution if they violate 1st, 4th or 14th Amendment rights of minors, including the right to free speech, free exercise of religion, and freedom of assembly.

Some people believe that President Obama is bringing back troops from Iraq to increase the security presence against protesters. Others are saying that should Marshall Law be declared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could step in to ship detainees to over 800 vacant "concentration camps" established around the nation.

Some city government officials are saying that Occupy protesters leave garbage, waste, and are security risks which cost money. Many people are afraid to exercise their right of free speech because they fear they will be jailed. Despite these fears, Occupy meetups are occurring in 1,744 cities.

Numerous U.S. cities have been devastated by floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes this year. Since April 2011, all 67 counties in the southern state of Alabama have been dealing with debris removal and emergency protective measures as a result of extreme weather.

Today the Telegraph ran the following headline: "Tea Party legislation reveals anxiety at US direction under Barack Obama." In the U.S., wealth disparities have increased as has the poverty rate. Over 14 million people are out of work. Many people from India have been hired in the U.S., taking away jobs from qualified applicants already living here.

NOTE: According to the United Nations, the ratio of the average income of the richest 10% to the poorest 10% in Trinidad is 012.9 while it is 015.9 in the U.S. One advantage is that a college education in Trinidad is free at most accredited schools, and students are encouraged to become doctors or go into scientific fields of study. Last week, it was reported that student loan debt in the U.S. has outpaced credit card debt, with students owing up to $1 trillion in loans.

A study by the World Institute for Development Economics Research at United Nations University reports that the richest 1% of adults alone owned 40% of global assets in the year 2000. The three richest people possess more financial assets than the lowest 48 nations, combined.

Map of Trinidad: 2004 CIA World Factbook
Satellite view of U.S.: National Climactic Data Center/NOAA
©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.