Social activism is needed now more than political activism

Dear Editor,
Recently there has been a spate of letters going back and forth on what the PPP did or did not do in the bauxite industry. As a man in the street who kept at least one eye on the inter-workings of our politics, I would say that no one has dealt with the underlying political games being played nor addressed the social rivalry which dominates these matters.

Every time these discussions erupt, to me it is like, “Blaa… Blaa… Blaa… Here we go again.” A lot of running on the spot, getting nowhere. For too long our intellectuals are using the same approach expecting to get different results. The question being asked now is, ‘What has the PPP done for Linden in the last 17 years?’ To give some balance, the follow up question should be, What has the PNC done for its supporters and what have the supporters done for themselves? With respect to the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), I am still waiting to see the development of Africans during the same period.

In the 80s, at the height of the PNC regime, many qualified individuals ran away from Linden. The problems in Linden began long before ’92.  After the successes of ’92, when a lot of Africans sat out the elections because of their frustration with the PNC, the PPP knew that to win free and fair again they would have to bring in some Africans.

The bauxite industry was teetering on the brink of total collapse. Mr Kim Kissoon was sent to see if he could make an impact. President Jagdeo later embarked on an investment campaign for Region 10 with statements like, “Duty free concessions for all investments in the region.” Allocations were going to the Linden treasury for developmental works but hardly any advantage of the opportunities was taken. Why were officials in Linden allowing money to go back to the treasury unused?

I have come to the conclusion that protesting and blaming government and all that, while face-saving propaganda for the opposition, do not and will not change conditions. Africans must take it upon themselves to make a change before they are taken seriously. For that reason I do not think that government believes that it needs to give any special assistance to Africans. Africans were the first to get here and controlled most of the lands after slavery. We were the carpenters, joiners, masons, agriculturists, loggers, miners, and balata bleeders; the midwives, nurses, head teachers, the first traders and even the pioneer drug-pushers. Indians occupied two areas – the sugar industry and the rice fields.
Nowadays if you ask someone in Guyana to recommend a good mason or carpenter note whose name pops up. Over the years, Africans did most of the heavy lifting in the mining industry and earned a lot of money, but today, other than the Brazilians, who has the largest investment in the industry?

While some are blaming the government for not being there for bauxite workers, the Guyana Forestry Commission last Wednesday presented land titles to four community forestry organizations, which serve communities that depend on forestry products – communities affected by the failing bauxite industry. This is huge. African communities in Region 10 now have legitimate rights to engage in sustainable lumber production, which has the potential of outdoing the sugar and rice industry combined.

This is not because of recent raised voices. It was 10 years in the making. The GFC in 2001 took away my concession along with some others in the Ituni area to make way for this deal. But given our track record in past endeavours, can we take this gift and make a success with it?  Can we get idle bodies on the coast to take up residence in Region 10 and attach themselves to this new lease on life?
Earlier I asked, ‘What has the PNC done for its supporters and what have the supporters done for themselves?’ Consider one example. On a consistent basis up to 2001, when I left Guyana, Ituni was responsible for more than 40% of the chainsaw lumber on the local market. Yet, the living conditions in the village are poor and the majority of buildings shabby and run-down. The problem? Even though the people have the ability and skill for lumber manufacturing they lack the financial know-how and discipline to convert their income into prosperity.

Again, I must stress, Africans must re-take control of their destiny. Political power does not necessarily factor into this. Using Ituni again as an example, they produce the lumber but do not set the prices. They sell their produce at rock-bottom prices to lumber yards in and around Georgetown. Why don’t they have bargaining power, which will ensure reasonable returns?  These loggers need professional guidance and education from the same intellectuals who are complaining.

ACDA may think that I am harsh with them, but they are still well positioned to contribute meaningfully. They have to get up and go into the communities; find out where they can contribute; re-establish African awareness, self-development and brotherly love. They must point out the futility of crime, teach other ways to be productive and explain the philosophy of financial development.

Work with the police instead of against them to bring down the incidence of crime. Emphasize the need of maintaining a relative crime-free environment, which would lead to potential investors feeling safe to invest. Work on establishing partnerships with potential investors and identify persons and possible business ventures in the communities. And last but not the least, establish a Chamber of Commerce.

Social activism is needed now more than political activism. Let the politicians do what they do best, but not at the expense of community development. I have no intention of dictating to persons like Mr Benschop and Mr Lewis, but they can certainly contribute to social activism.  Indeed Mr Benschop has already begun, but he must remain focused on the social aspect of his activism.

There is a lot of work to be done. It may be hard but it can be accomplished. It can begin with a prominent African Guyanese standing up and addressing the community, “Let’s work together, and make a fresh start. Let’s approach this differently. Let’s work vigorously to curb crime, let’s lay the foundation for our development, let’s…” This is something I believe Ms Violet Baptiste can pull off. It’s about going back to the basics.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner