Professor Selwyn R. Cudjoe, Executive Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), has defended the university’s Emancipation observance, saying the occasion should promote national unity rather than deepen ethnic divisions following criticism of the institution’s multicultural programme.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding UTT’s “Uhuru” production, Professor Cudjoe said Emancipation Day should focus on the shared struggles that have shaped Trinidad and Tobago instead of emphasizing differences between ethnic groups.
“Emancipation Day should not be about focusing on our differences,” he said. “A day like this should speak about our common sufferings that we all have been through, both in terms of emancipation and, to some degree, indentureship. It’s unfortunate that we had to go down that road.”
His comments were made in response to criticism over UTT’s decision to include East Indian cultural performances alongside African performances during its Emancipation programme. Some critics argued that the inclusion of Indo-Trinidadian cultural elements was inappropriate for the occasion.
Professor Cudjoe, however, rejected those concerns, noting that similar programming had previously taken place under the university’s banner. He pointed to a UTT event held on May 20, 2023, during the tenure of then Minister of Education Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, which featured African drumming alongside East Indian musical performances.
“So what we did was not particularly new,” he said. “But we are so consumed with some silly notions of racism that all of a sudden that became a problem.”
He maintained that UTT, as a national educational institution, has a responsibility to reflect and celebrate the country’s full cultural identity.
“We need to celebrate the entire cultural profile of Trinidad and Tobago,” Professor Cudjoe said, arguing that educational institutions should encourage greater understanding of the nation’s shared history while recognising the contributions of all communities.
The debate follows public discussion surrounding UTT’s “Uhuru” production, which sought to explore themes of emancipation, indentureship and national identity, but drew mixed reactions over its multicultural presentation.
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