Dear Editor,
In his column captioned ‘Wake up, sugar workers!’ in the Kaieteur News of November 25, 2008, Freddie Kissoon has made a profound opening statement that should he heeded by all, and especially the opposition political parties in Guyana. He states “The sugar workers got deceived. They are not to be blamed. All of us in the critical arena of political discourse have to take the shame. The list includes the PNC, the AFC, this columnist, and other columnists like Christopher Ram and Clive Thomas, Vision Guyana, Red Thread, the WPA, GHRA, ACDA, TUC, editors, commentators and other stakeholders.”
To the sugar workers, mainly Indo-Guyanese and PPP supporters, even a pittance from the governing party can be seen as something tangible and therefore worth their vote, when they know that no one else will champion their cause. This is simply one more example of a long, ongoing trend where the opposition parties in particular have failed to seize the opportunity to demonstrate to PPP supporters that they are prepared to fight their cause.
Not too long ago, for several weeks the newspapers reported on the trauma of Hindus in Alexander Village over the disruption of their Diwali celebrations and the damage to their temple and homes by vandals who invaded the village.
With prominent Hindu leaders supporting the PPP, as expected, the failure of the police to provide adequate protection was sheepishly ignored by the government. Unfortunately, and most surprising, was the silence of the opposition parties and others identified by Mr Kissoon in the opening statement quoted above.
It has been the conventional wisdom in Guyana that Indo-Guyanese vote for the PPP because of race. Freddie Kissoon is a frequent proponent of this view. It is now time for a more objective and critical look at this matter. In my view, some PPP supporters certainly vote for this party because of race but others do so because they do not see the other political parties championing their causes. By default or ambivalence, the opposition political parties are allowing the PPP to have a monopoly on the support of Indo-Guyanese.
Yours faithfully,
Harry Hergash
Editor’s note
The Alliance For Change did issue a statement on the vandalism in Alexander Village on Diwali night, and the substance of their press release was published in this newspaper.
Harry Hergash ….please take a hike.
Is where you living?
Probably not in Guyana.
” It has been the conventional wisdom in Guyana that Indo-Guyanese vote for the PPP because of race” …hogwash !
It has been …?Far be it. It isa fact and has been demonstarated since we have
had had elections for guyanese government.
Trouble is, with some many particular migrations, it seems odd that the
voting numbers continue to increase!
…and further I say not…
The essence here is “the opposition political parties are allowing the PPP to have a monopoly on the support of Indo-Guyanese.”
This they(PPP) know too well and are taking this group for a ride since an alternative doesn’t appear with any substantial premise.
It is not the opposition parties that allow an monoply on the support of the indo guyanese .It is the Indo guyanese that allowed themself to be taken for a ride by the government despite all that has happened in guyana ppp will continued to win elections because the majority of indo guyanese willl vote for them.
The same situation with the pnc Afro -guyanese will continued to vote for pnc in their large numbers .
What might help this racial problem is more inter racial marriages ,Education,and the next generation that is and will be more tollerable .
Mr Hergash, what you said is true, and also reflects a sad reality in Guyana.
Our political leadership, (particularly the PPP & PNC) have consistently neglected the masses, possibly with the assumption that they will vote for them anyway.
How much longer must we continue to been abused by these “cheap politicians” who, instead of focusing on the things that unite us, prey on our fears and insecurities while doing nothing tangible to help?
I long for the day when our electorate “wake-up” and realise that ultimately we dictate which direction this nation goes in.
Very thoughtful views of the perceived absence of representation of Indo-Guyanese by opposition parties. As thoughtful as your views are, they are filled with misrepresentations and kock-eyed perceptions not bourne out by empherical facts. Yes, the overwhelming number of PPP supporters are Indo-Guyanese, but when the PNC marched to demonstrate the effect VAT would have on the nation, are you telling Guyanese that that was not a cause that affected Indo-Guyanese( majority of the national population) ? If not, what are the cause/s of Indo-Guyanese and, are Indo-Guyanese not a segment of the Guyanese nation? On the other hand, are you suggesting that there should be an imballance in terms of representation of Indo-Guyanese (largest voting block supporting the PPP) by the PPP Government? Tell us bloggers; inquiring minds want to know. Participation in political activities in Guyana, although evidenced by racial voting patterns and support, continues to meet different need patterns by every opposition party. So, you are wrong Harry in your “thoughtful but castnet views” of representation of Indo-Guyanese issues by opposition parties. ISNM
Quote ” I long for the day when our electorate “wake-up” and realise that
ultimately we dictate which direction this nation goes in.”
Ready for an answer?
NOT IN YOUR LIFE TIME. !
Nah, change is coming soon, and in my lifetime. ISNM
De Canadian, I sometimes would like you to stop writing in riddles, and be more concise in your replies. Make it simple.It would be most helpfull to all readers reading what you have to write. At times it appears that you are in a different ball park from where the game is being played.
Ulric gat u in calm bannus.
sad but true
Yes Harry!!!! HOGWASH!! You think the opposition has the authority to GIVE these people a raise??? Do you think that anyone will listen or approve their proposals in the big house?? Their union has always and is pro-PPP. They were just putting up a front!! It was always writing on the wall for these workers. They HAVE to take whatever the government dictates directly or indirectly, so cut out the hogwash.
Reader Harry, might it not be prudent to brush up on your history. Of the illegal occupation of Guyana by the opposition.If the opposition did not then champion anything,but their own history,for 28 years,the span of their occupation and subsequent destructive reign,why would you suppose they would do so now? Get real.
My Ajah, Father and Mother, Mammoo and all my family voted for PPP. I would have votd for PPP but never did. I left Guyana over 35 years ago and never got to vote in Guyana. Watching from outside. I fought for Guyana democracy. I went to Washington and met with many congressmen to gather support for free and fair election in Guyana. We have a government with a President and Prime Minister that has Guyana best interest at heart. Lets work with them to build Guyana and Make it a land that we are all proud of.
Sarry…but I on de old side and being a Christian, I going by de written word.
You prabably pun de young side, so you live in hope, though I must say
dat ah nat dying in despair,
De change gun kum when ah gone….
Thanks Caesar Agustus !
Lawd here I go again, this time with sarcasm, that is, thanking you for not
being pleased with my style of writing.
Anyway Caesar, I worked as an investigator and had to do a lot of report
writing. So? Language useage was vital, and being an ‘expert’ in language,
I would use riddles, puns, metaphors, soliloqy, similes and of course some
sarcasm to illustrate and crystallize..
Just bear with me brother.
Ulric is a better writer than me snd sometimes I cannot follow him !
How about dat?