'Black Power' in Trinidad : A Protest to Contradictions of Post-Colonial Periods Yasuaki KITAHARA So-called 'Black Power', originated in the United States, has been the movement by the black minority, aiming to acquire the equal civil rights with the white majority. Unlike the American counterpart, the black power in Trinidad at the early part of 1970s was a campaign by the black majority of the country, requesting the change of policies under Eric William's government. Williams, the 1st prime minister of independent Trinidad, dreamed to construct a selfsupporting country in political and economic terms, free from the bondage of past imperialism. Under weak financial bases, however, the government was inclined to rely on the introduction of foreign capitals and companies, resulting in the economic control of the white minority, and social gaps between rich and poor. Under such circumstances, students and black poor Trinidadians voiced a protest against the policy in the name of black power, and tried to involve Indians, the second majority of the country, into coordinate activities. Indians, who were prejudiced to 'blacks', rejected the cooperation. The movement collapsed. In spite of the failure at the time, 'the black power' left a deep impact on Trinidadians, paving the way to a new political situation beyond racial barriers in this country. 'Black power' in Trinidad reflected the problems and contradictions which newly independent countries faced in common.