Dear Editor,
Now they have their minions yapping at Moses Nagamootoo’s feet simply because he expressed a truism that is practiced throughout Guyana and literally the rest of the world – that everyone speaks sternly to their children and grandchildren from time to time. And, unlike those who yap and their directors, children generally not only understand why they are being scolded but also recognize and accept the motive behind such scolding. That the powers that be seem aghast at this reality is hypocritical to the nth degree, given its track record – by action and lack thereof –with respect to abuse of all types.
I am reminded that a few years ago when I had organized a two week training programme for teachers, in collaboration with VSO and at no cost to the Government, focusing on classroom management and instructional practice without corporal punishment, the government nixed the training session at the last minute, thereby indicating that addressing abuse of children in the education system is not a priority.
In fact, none of those so deeply concerned about what they perceive to be child abuse have ever, even once, publicly spoken against:
1. abuse of public office
2. abuse of political power
3. human rights abuse
4. civil rights abuse
5. any of the teeming instances of child abuse publicized over the years
6. pervasive domestic abuse
7. rampant sexual abuse
Nor has any of them publicly spoken out in support of the efforts of organizations like Red Thread or activists such as Dianne Madray, Sukhree Boodram and Stella Ramsaroop who are taking on the mountainous task of attempting to bring about redress in relation to and elimination of abuse in Guyanese society. Yet these ‘champions’ have suddenly become vociferous with respect to mention of a rebuke given to a grandchild by a grandfather – something that is duplicated thousands of times daily in Guyana and the rest of the world. At best such championing provides comic relief and at worst exposes the government propaganda machinery as being threadbare.
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram
