Dear Editor,
‘Not rooted in the colonial past’ (SN 5.12.08) cites the conclusions of the late Professor William McCord that only Asian nations have shown progress since independence.
I think if Mr Bisram were to go back further he would find similar conclusions by many ‘learned’ historians and others who opined that some groups were better off as slaves or second-class citizens than to be given dominion over their own circumstances.
Mr Bisram draws conclusions based on very shallow and surface examinations of history and the circumstances that shape it. A very strange conditioning from the countryman of a historian who answered most of the questions regarding the state in which much of the post-colonial world is, in his work, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.
Mr Bisram seemed to reflect the concerns of only one ethnic group in a remark to Ms Holder, ie,
“She seems to have forgotten that the inability to eat roti, channa, potatoes, dhal and other basic foods and to obtain paraphernalia associated with religious practices characterized life under independent rule.”
Isn’t it ironic in his chatisement of her that he remains oblivious to the fact that colonial rule is also associated with slavery, the inability to name yourself, to choose your spouse, or to live as a family? One man’s utopia can be another’s hell.
The circumstances of colonial history are much too nuanced to be simply summed up on the basis of whether nations were more developed before than after. I would prefer to live free in a cave and scrounge for my living every day, than as a slave in a mansion regularly eating what was handed to me under the table.
Yours faithfully,
Robin Williams
Sadly, Robin, there are people who would reverse the order of your last sentence. Even sadder: they vote.
I support everything you said, Robin Williams.
My sentiments also. Apart. ‘Inability to eat roti……!’ What!? Was this guy’s jaw wired? Ha!
I will take living a free MAN in a cave.
Robin, Bisram is an infant to political thought and education. There is no doubt, therefore, that any response to his writing is a waste of time. Read his writing and you instantly go blind with rage at his purile ramblings. His favorite is “Guyanese in NY celebrated” and you instantly know what group of Guyanese he is talking about with out reading the entire story. There is absolutely no balance to his views. ISNM
“Guyanese in NY celebrated…” aka “Guyanese in NY – Richmond Hill and environs”
I’m even more nauseated when he treats us to a description of his world tours…
And I almost always kick myself for reading his ramblings and worse, posting a comment. I do believe that all of this “attention” inspires him!!!!
The Asian Nations may not be the only ones who have shown progress since independence, but they have freed themselves from mental slavery and moved on. Too long have been the abolition of slavery for some to continue to use it as an excuse for under achievement.
mervjoseph: would you elaborate on your last sentence, please?
I would say that only a few nations since independence prospered. All others were destroyed by their very own people, who as leaders, were worse than the colonial master.
Mr. Bisram doesn’t seem to understand when enough is enough. He’s taking a licking from Paul Sanders and the Caribbean Daylight for his absurdity on the race issue his racist paper was promoting during the US elections.
He’s a regular punching bag on the blogs and Mr. Bisram just don’t seem to get it.
Please Mr. Bisram, take a look at yourself. For Christ’s sake!