Guyana needs more Eusi Kwayanas

Dear Editor,

I agree with Frank Fyffe’s letter (SN 21.6.08) that Guyana needs more Eusi Kwayanas to critique wrongdoings and to advocate for what is good for the country.  But Bro Kwayana is unique.  He is a rare specimen of a political activist. There is no other Kwayana – Indian, African or from some other race in Guyana – and I can’t think of anyone who can be compared with this outstanding Guyanese hero.

Kwayana has stood for all qualities that are respected and admired in a society — patience, courtesy, wisdom, accuracy, etc, but above all courage. He is a gentleman and at the same time a brave human being. As Fyffe wrote, Kwayana has not been afraid to speak out against wrongdoings even if it would hurt his pocket or endanger his life.  But at the same time, he respects people even if he is in disagreement with them.  And for that he is admired.

Kwayana has acquired a reputation of consistently searching for the truth. He never compromised on ethics and placed emphasis on the accountability of funds. He always insisted on accuracy when writing, and does not incorrectly paraphrase others. I remember him upbraiding me for incorrectly paraphrasing his comments after an interview for a New York newspaper – comments that were corrected before publication. He also does not make claims or conclusions or pronouncements which cannot be substantiated by evidence, and he believes in a universal (objective) truth, not a subjective truth.

Kwayana is a humble, decent, fair-minded and quiet person, not a rabble-rouser, speaking out with a quiet smile and gentle touch. He does not attack people to get their attention. He is not obsessed with critiquing people, and readers would note that he does not perennially attack the government. He does not seek publicity and has no ego. He has not been a pretender to knowledge. He is not shy about apologizing if he thinks he has wronged people and would even apologize to people to end any misunderstanding.

Not an armchair academic, Kwayana also takes to the streets.  I remember him coming to the Corentyne with Walter Rodney to lend solidarity to striking students walking the picket lines in early 1977.

The country has not seen or heard much from Bro Kwayana recently. His piece slamming Robert Mugabe (SN 22.6.08) for oppressing his people is evidence he will not let Mugabe’s revolutionary credentials stand in the way of fair play.  I hope Kwayana would give us more of his views and analysis of issues. I also hope Guyanese would want to become like him.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram