Todd Street: why the fear? | Letters to Editor

US-based rap group Public Enemy is best remembered for an album titled Fear of a Black Planet. The album’s title is intended as a one-line explanation of the fate experienced by African Americans.

Those with economic and political power (ie, “whites”) are threatened by the prospect of “non-whites” rising politically and economically, so they turn their fears toward those groups.

They literally use fear as an instrument to subjugate and marginalize in an attempt to keep the reins of power for themselves.

I’m reminded of the album’s title today, thanks to the saga currently unfolding regarding alleged plans by the Housing Development Corporation to build 100 apartment buildings on Todd Street in San Fernando.

As the public is well aware, there are currently more than 150,000 applicants waiting for the opportunity to buy a government subsidized home. Many of these applicants currently reside and/or work in the country’s second city. They represent a source of direct demand for low-cost housing there.

Contrary to the suggestions offered by voices opposing the project, houses cannot be built arbitrarily wherever there is land available. Instead, houses (as opposed to houses) should be developed near some specific amenities such as public services, transport services, schools, hospitals, police, fire service, etc.

Without the benefit of a field visit, one could almost be forgiven for submitting to the loudest voices in this debate. But if one were to take the time to come to Todd Street, one would quickly realize that there are literally acres of neglected land there that could and should be put to more productive use. And for a hundred families, it represents the opportunity to live closer to work or school and enjoy a greatly improved standard of living.

On the subject of amenities, Todd Street is literally walking distance to four high schools, the Southern Academy of the Performing Arts, the soon-to-be-renovated Skinner Park, and Gulf City Mall.

It sits within a reliable and established network that supplies water, electricity and connectivity to thousands of people – in a city that, ironically, has experienced a steady decline in population over the past three decades.

As for locations, San Fernando is prime for renovation and Todd Street is ideal for a new/first time home owner.

Elsewhere in the world, urban renewal is closely linked to the creation of new residential centres. New homes bring new residents, which, in turn, bring economic activity and increased municipal income, cultural diversity and, over time, social expansion and growth.

Here in Trinidad and Tobago, however, it seems that any government effort to expand the housing stock is viewed suspiciously as either an election tactic or “ghettoification” of that targeted area.

And it’s with this history of mistrust in mind that one can’t help but look at the outrage over this project — a project, mind you, that hasn’t even been officially announced by HDC — and wonder if the “fear” being expressed has less to do with gridlock morning and an abstract need for green spaces in the city, and more to do with something much worse.

It is literally a fear of no more than five hundred other residents (of all ages, races, and religions) who will enter the area. What exactly is there to fear?

G Elias

cascades

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