What's the Difference?

​MY RESPONSE TO A GRANDMA WHO ASKED - WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT OUR AUTHORITIES HAVE DONE TO THESE VENEZUELAN CHILDREN AND WHAT THE U.S. AUTHORITIES DID TO LATIN AMERICAN CHILDREN?:
“Unfortunately, across the globe, and here in T&T, whether something is right or wrong is it determined by acceptable social norms and standards.
Who does something; in whose interest and for with what objective are now used to determine whether the same act, view or position is right or wrong as a matter of social question.
For the last 4 years, Trump and Co’s xenophobia, racism, fascist hate-peddling, etc have been excused by some as ‘that’s his way’.
There is no fundamental difference between Trump’s ideological-political thinking and that of fascist Axis led by Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo in the 1930’s - 40’s.
But fascism of the Nazis et al is condemned while the fascist ideology and actions of the “leader of the free world” are acceptable or at least excusable as the quirks of an individual.
Here, in T&T, the same hate-peddling racist and divisive language spewed by various individuals and groups has been made to be condemnable or excusable depending on whether it is ‘we’ or ‘dem’ who peddle the same wares.
For 6 decades, with the imposition and consolidation of 2-party unrepresentative politics and government, using the fig leaf of “race-based” politics, right or wrong is reduced to prejudice of whether one supports the red or yellow, the ‘African’ or ‘Indian’ party (both of which actually represent the interest of the rich and powerful parasitic oligarchy- the 1%).
So-called ‘identity politics’ is a tool sowing hate, division and special sectoral interest-views and positions on what is right or wrong, acceptable or excusable when it comes to the views and actions of either side of the red-yellow divide.
What is most unfortunate is that this wholly utilitarian, self-serving and eclectic ideology and thinking is gaining strength as being socially acceptable.
This is exactly what happened in Germany when the ‘final solution’ and notion of a superior Germanic-Aryan race were being inculcated in the social psyche of the German society and body politic.
Acceptance of the detention and deportation of children (putting some on pirogues hired by de Government onto the open seas over night) because I’d ‘we’ party and ‘govament’ doing it, will be taking us further along that dangerous road of ‘identity politics’ and right and wrong depending on Who does it and not What is done.
What the Government here did (which a Court has ruled as contrary to our law) to children is NO DIFFERENT from what the Trump administration did to the Latin American children.
The abuse of children is WRONG whoever does it!!
While we are busy dispensing self-praise for our ‘fight’ against child abuse because we have set up a Child Protection Unit, Gender Violence Unit in the Police Service or a Children’s Authority, we cannot accept ABUSE of Venezuelan children by Government at the same time.”

Clyde Weatherhead
A Citizen Fighting for Democratic Renewal
26 November 2020