What leadership? The leaders we have
-Guyana as a Colony? Definitely one of my shorter offerings today. Triggered by remarks by Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine on the occasion of the twenty-ninth assassination anniversary of the famed Walter Rodney last week-end. I had omitted any mention of this event in my piece last Friday, so in an oblique manner I wish to provoke [...]
Frankly Speaking
Enforcement and prosecution The Hustle, the “Runnings” It was just six months ago that I wrote about an issue I described as the “Enforce-ment hustle”. I am going to risk a boast today: I feel, I know myself to be an informed layman with a keen sense of observation, based on years of studying [...]
Frankly Speaking
The President – and those who would be – some selective National Awards Hello. Regard today’s offerings as Fenty’s Ramblings on local politics, now becoming less and less of my preference. But here goes (as I quote one period). Our Revised Constitution, amended by wiser heads and minds six years ago, under a title and [...]
Frankly Speaking
‘I’m a single-parent (mom)’ From St. Mary to Marcie And Minister Manickchand Just five days ago we joined the Americans and the world in observing or celebrating Mother’s Day. I’m not really one for these annual special “Days”, but none should begrudge a genuine mother a special day. Yes, I mean one who really strives [...]
Frankly Speaking
Capitalism –for and against workers …So, how “polarised” are we? Even as I suspect that my typical economically–challenged working class employees, have little time to consider intellectually/analytically, the profundities of systems, theories and ideologies, as they fight to survive daily, I still share with them these thoughts on (practical) capitalism and its challenges these days. [...]
Frankly Speaking…Under 40? Guyana’s moral erosion
- and some Americana-Guyana Look, let me declare a few verifiable facts and opinions of a personal nature. (For those readers interested.) And it also has to do with the fact that this very public space has been made available to me for more than sixteen continuous years. I’m in my mid-sixties. (Important because I [...]
Frankly Speaking… Thomas’ right to doubt
- Fyffe’s poor – on their own It’s that time of year again. (According to the Western – and especially Christian Calendar of course.) The Christian community’s Holy and Easter Weeks beckon. And I spare moments to reflect and be befuddled by the Mysteries of the Faith. That word, that concept of Faith will feature [...]
Frankly Speaking
Thieves at the top – But why no response to Thomas and Ram? – And my final farewell One of my much shorter offerings today. Amidst the all-pervasive issue of the global economic recession is the equally pervasive incidence of corruption, greed and thievery. These most brief notes are inspired by the international – and [...]
Frankly Speaking
On street-people – and `homes’ -And my sorrow for promoters Here is one of my more brief pieces. It makes a simple pointed observation: In six decades – and more – never have I seen so many homeless bedraggled street people roaming the capital Georgetown and elsewhere in the Big, Beautiful Blighted Land, Guyana. Vagrants, [...]
Troubled thoughts on calypso
Sparrow, King Konris – and a Minister’s Concern Believe me, I love Caribbean Calypso dearly. I mean sweet, simple, witty, cleverly-constructed and arranged Kaiso – whether the “Big Yard“ or Tent Versions and from the Extempo to the Soca-free variety. Naturally, I mourn for the general decline in the purer version of the calypso art-form, [...]
Frankly Speaking
Thoughts on Guyana’s Diaspora -We Gave The World… “Di-as-pora”—— Greek for “scattering of seeds?” Referring to “the movement of any population sharing common identity.” So that’s how we came by the term Diaspora? Anyhow, this is the briefest of commentaries on the global, the international social phenomenon of migration. Well, actually, just the contemporary Guyana [...]
Frankly Speaking
Rebellion, Republicanism, and yes, Mashramani Black History? African Heritage? I was in my mid-twenties, a school teacher and reasonably conscious of our local politics when Forbes Burnham opted for a Republican Guyana in 1970. After outmanoeuvring Cheddi Jagan, with now-proven external assistance and local surrogate interests, Burnham decided to end the British version of its [...]
Frankly Speaking
Functional respect for an office On Presidents….And Other Personalities By Allan Fenty I feel entitled to a brief post-birthday waffle today. Any post-forty birth anniversary in our land should attract some celebration, however mild. Given the realistic everyday miseries of murder, disease, traffic accidents and fatal fires our once-innocent society now “boasts” of. It’s an [...]
The other side of Christmas
Or What Some People Do With `The Season’ (A few reflections today) No I don’t want to, nor can I ever, put any damper on this wonderful, now all-pervasive festival of celebration of the Christ-Child’s Birth. However, there are often negative, unnecessary or unwelcome elements to any worthy celebration – religious or national. Unwittingly, or [...]
Frankly Speaking
A Guyanese Creole Christmas – and Jim Jones in the assembly What the Dickens! “Frankly Speaking” on a day other than Friday? Well, you know the reason why by now – and my disciplined continuous record remains intact today. So season’s greetings, formally, from me to you. Hope you’re warm and dry! Christmas does marvellous [...]