Dear Editor,
Please permit me to refer to a letter published by your paper dated December 4 and entitled ‘When will UG law students speak up?’
First, as a student-at-law I can say that we always have the capacity to circulate our opinions publicly, but what we sometimes lack is the will. For example, at the height of the AG-Kaieteur News fiasco, students of the Department of Law of the University of Guyana were buzzing with informed and speculative positions and ideas on the matter. However, for whatever reason we were reluctant to display those positions in the daily print media. I can say with great certainty though, that the social media were not spared. Moreover, this is maybe an indication of the way in which we communicate publicly now, regardless of the importance of an issue.
Last, in my capacity as President of the University of Guyana Law Society I can say that a discussion was initiated to determine if we as a student body should articulate publicly on such a delicate matter as that of the Attorney General and Kaieteur News’ debacle.
The majority of students felt that there was no real need to pronounce on the matter via the print media and as such, we could not pen a letter that represented the entire student body. Students-at-law were still assured that they could make individual contributions nonetheless.
As an individual I often feel the urge to add my ‘two cents’ when certain issues arise locally, as I have done in the past. Yet, what I have come to realize is that other individuals are hesitant to do the same due to the potential consequences. Mr Duncan is correct in his assertions when he refers to the fear of rocking the proverbial boat. I too believe that persons are scared of ruffling feathers and that has assisted in making us a submissive society. That being said, the UGLS approach to dealing with or pronouncing on issues knows no fear of political backlash, social discrimination or economic bruises. We will maintain our position to represent the students-at-law feverishly at every level. We cannot afford to choose sides, and we will not.
Yours faithfully,
Patrice Wishart
President, UGLS
