Dear Editor,
Now that Guyana has registered its own day of infamy with the prorogation of Parliament, the opposition has been dealt a free hand, complete with aces. How it responds, manages itself, and nurtures the moment will influence the temperature of the present, and the forecasts of the future. Dies have been cast, and many a Rubicon crossed.
In some quarters, there is only one road – the street, preferably a massively roiling one. There is a readiness, an unconcealed, uninhibited enthusiasm to congregate at that fateful crossroads and then galvanize it. It is a fresh kindling of aged rage; the flaring appeal to baser instincts and raw passions. This can be a many-edged sword, any of which can be counterproductive and self-defeating; counterproductive if discipline is lacking, and foresight absent. That is, the discipline to be peaceful, to be loud, and to stay inside the perimeter, regardless of provocation or temptation. This is the perimeter of space, of movement, and of tolerance.
The protesting, moving street is feared, if only in the utterance, and the surging imaginations of its unchecked implications. This tool, this energy, this long shadow must be used wisely, carefully, because its very occurrence presents unlimited opportunity for undermining and unravelling through the organized handiwork of drafted adversarial agents.
The masterminds of these agents have but a single objective: to produce a cornucopia of searing and powerfully intimidating images, through political mischief adroitly instigated and rewarded. The result is persuasive footage of criminal mayhem unleashed across the ethnic divide; independents and the undecided are the primary TV audience in mind. More simply put men to do dirty work that divides and inflames. Then sit back and enjoy the show.
Having said this, I believe that public protests can become the order of the day, if nothing gives, the impasse continues, and the tensions rise. I believe that this has to be the last resort. And I believe that such has to be focused, disciplined, and managed as never before to be effective, and to get maximum returns.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
