Trinidad and Tobago grapples with colonialism in a debate about statues, signs and monuments of its past

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — In a small auditorium in the seaside capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Christopher Columbus and other colonial figures were examined in detail late Wednesday night in a lengthy debate punctuated by giggles, applause and outbursts of anger.

The government had asked residents of the diverse, two-island country in the eastern Caribbean whether they supported the removal of statues, signs and monuments with colonial references and how these spaces should be used instead. One by one, people of African, European and indigenous descent stepped up to the microphone and responded.

Some suggested putting a prominent Columbus statue on display in a museum. Others called for it to be destroyed and people allowed to trample on the dusty remains. One man called on officials to collect statues of colonial figures and create a “Square of the Infamous.”

The majority of the more than two dozen speakers and dozens of other online comments supported the removal of colonial-era symbols and names.

“It is about how, after 62 years of independence, we can continue to live in a space that reflects the ideals, vision and views of our former colonial masters,” said Zakiya Uzoma-Wadada, executive chairman of the islands’ emancipation support committee.

Trinidad and Tobago is the latest country to join a global movement that began in recent years To abolish symbols from the colonial era while it deals with its past and asks itself whether and how it should remember it as Demands for reparations for slavery grow throughout the Caribbean.

The public hearing took place just one week after the government’s announcement. it would redesign the nation’s coat of arms to remove Christopher Columbus’s three famous ships – the Pinta, the Niña and the Santa María – and replace them with the steelpan, a popular percussion instrument originating from the Caribbean state.

Others pushed for further changes on Wednesday evening.

“What the hell is the Queen still doing up on the coat of arms? Please let’s lay her to rest,” said Eric Lewis, who identifies as a member of the First Peoples, also known as Native American.

Trinidad and Tobago was first colonized by the Spanish, who ruled the island for almost 300 years before ceding it to the British, who ruled it for over 160 years until the islands gained independence in 1962. The colonial imprint can be seen everywhere in the streets and squares. A statue of Christopher Columbus, for example, dominates a square of the same name in the capital, Port of Spain.

The National Trust of the Islands calls it “one of the greatest improvements to our city,” but many disagree.

“It is disrespectful to those who were his victims. People suffered terribly,” said Shania James, calling for the statue to be displayed in a museum. “His atrocities must not be forgotten.”

But a few people, including black tour guide Teresa Hope, dismissed their concerns about the treatment of their ancestors.

“They survived, and I survived, and we will continue,” she said, adding that if you looked at the actions of historical figures, “everything would go to hell.”

Rubadiri Victor, chairman of the artists’ coalition, said his country should instead erect statues and monuments to honour some of the more than 200 Trinbagonians who represented the best of the islands.

“We stumble and fall over heroes,” he said. “We have produced so much genius, and that lineage is nowhere present in the landscape.”

Suggestions for the honor included Nobel Prize winner VS Naipaul, historian and journalist Cyril Lionel Robert James, and Kwame Ture, one of the pioneers of the Black Power movement in the USA. Others suggested honoring prominent Native American and indigenous women, including educator and musician Patricia Bishop and teacher Beryl McBurnie, who is credited with promoting and saving Caribbean dance.

The debate is due to continue soon on the sister island of Tobago. The government has so far received a total of almost 200 suggestions for how to proceed.