BEFORE I FORGET – A final thought for the evening #10

“This is not a fete in here … this is madness” at a funeral! There are different strokes for different folks… or at least some want it that way.

Have you ever been tempted to drive down the shoulder, or cut in line, or perhaps ‘storm’ a fête or function? If you have, you are probably familiar with that quiet, inner voice that whispers: “Please don’t do that. Remember, you were taught in school to follow order and the protocols as generally accepted. Act appropriately.”

Well, today, while every other person (who was interested in participating in Basdeo Panday’s funeral rites), seemed to listen to their internal compasses, two elders – who have held high public office and would have been properly trained – either didn’t hear theirs over the din, or chose to ignore them – breaching strict protocols, as well as good sense.

Even Paul Keens Douglas couldn’t have made up a better story for talk tent!

Only a few hours earlier Ms. Lenore Dorset, who was the Head of Protocol for many years at the Office of the President was speaking on the radio, about the protocols involved in persons being invited and seated at an official funeral (she made a distinction between this and a 'state' duneral) –according to the table of precedence – as well as other considerations in such a formal affair.

This is something I myself received robust training in – from Ms. Sandra Basheer (seasoned protocol expert and lecturer) through the ALJ GSB’s Certificate in ‘Business Protocol for the Public Sector’; as well as from Ms. Gail P. Guy (a retired diplomat and protocol consultant), alongside H.E. Dennis Francis (now President of the UN General Assembly) through UWI’s Diplomatic Academy’s Certificate in ‘Protocol and Diplomacy for the Modern Professional’.

So, I know the P’s and the Q’s!

Maybe the former President of the Senate (and former Acting President), who is also a senior officer of the court and was hailed by the Law Association as being an upstanding citizen, put his own protocol training in a box, to ‘follow fashion’ a former Minister of Finance and University Law Lecturer. Mind you, both of them have publicly castigated the ‘misbehaviour’ of sitting public officials, proclaimed that the nation needs to be ‘disciplined’ and law and order must be reinstated.

Usually, Panorama or the most popular Carnival fêtes are where ‘storming’ takes place but, today, these personalities needed to get their ‘fix’ by trying to pry their way into the SAPA Auditorium, albeit it was clearly an invite-only event.

They not only put aside the risk to their physical safety (e.g., a broken hip), but also any care for their public image. Indeed, there was no shame demonstrated but indignation – as they justified their actions by blaming the fact that they did not receive an invitation, and more dastardly, that sitting Ministers of Government did not come to their aid. Please!

Such an unforced error has not only deservingly attracted the ire of the public, but also derision from former and current colleagues given the justification posited for such “bizarre” behaviour (as Akash Samaroo of CNC3 News described it). Their political Party has been diminished to the butt of jokes!

These persons are offering themselves as ‘leaders’ of the Nation, ostensibly to replace others (who themselves have numerous flaws) but, did not show the presence of mind to stop for a moment and ask: “How will this look – not just for me, but for those I seek to represent, and further, the persons I wish to lead and our Party?”

Perhaps if they had considered this for a minute longer, they would have conceded that already there is disdain for law and order in the nation – and they should not reinforce the notion that ‘anything goes’. After all, older persons comment about the ‘misconduct’ of younger persons, but forget what Ras Shorty reminded us: “A mango cah bear a fig; a donkey cah make a pig…” [sic]

On the contrary, something deeply motivated them (a rooted love for Mr Panday perhaps?) to ‘try a ting’ in plain view of the media. What could have possibly been their rationale for this? Based on the post-climb interview, their very words explain it was deliberate and that they wanted the Minister of Foreign Affairs to be seen as vindictive and disrespectful. But, what about their self-respect?

He in turn described the actions as “unbecoming” grandstanding that was “disappointing”.

In addition to not setting the proper example for propriety, they placed officials present in the predicament of having to look on in awe, or stopping them from entering the hall. What were they expecting? That once they got into the compound, they would push their way into the hall and take up an empty seat? This is patently unfair to those personnel. I applaud the ushers who stood their ground. So too, must we all.

The actions of these two reek of entitlement and privilege. A caller on an afternoon radio show asked reasonably: “If it had been [another person], would the police have allowed it…?” We equally can reasonably guess the answer. Too often those of a certain ‘class’ or ‘status’ are given passes, where others would not. They flout the very order they expect others to follow. If we truly want to reinstate discipline, then we must hold all to the same standards – especially those who know better!

Some bars, railings, simply cannot be lowered, or climbed over.

They could have humbly joined the public seating area – where other former Government officials also sat – to genuinely commiserate with those who had gone to mourn Panday’s passing. That may have offered them the same opportunity for media coverage (if that is what they wanted) without the drama. Instead, they thought it better to make demands and create a domestic and international meme feeding frenzy.

I am moved to write this primarily because these persons are asking us to exalt them to run the nation. So, they must accept the sting of fair criticism. Their bold facedness packs salt into the wounds of those who are excluded and disenfranchised on a daily basis, when it comes to accessing employment, food, and services. Should they just jump over and try to barge in? Or, do we tell them to be seated in the areas assigned, and wait?

To Bim and Bam, and any others I share what my inner voice says to me from time to time:

When is ‘wrong’ ever ‘right’?

When is ‘do as I say, not as I do’ the correct approach?

When do we justify the means by referring to the end?

When does our pride dictate our actions?

When is it appropriate to discard protocol?

When do we defend the indefensible?

When do we give up the moral high ground, so as to meet the opponent on their level?

When is it proper to be ‘wrong and strong’?

When is it ‘OK’ because it’s ’our people’ but ‘bad’ when it’s the other folks?

When is it fine for leaders and the privileged to break rules?

When can we claim rights, after the portfolio which bestowed them, is long gone?

When do we make it about ourselves, rather than the true focus?

When can entitlement trump humility?

When is madness a replacement for sanity?

When?

NEVER

At least when Rudder jumped the wall, it was 12 o’clock – not 8.30 a.m.!!!