Dear Editor,
The ex-Minister of Home Affairs recently commented on the sophistication and political linkage in certain criminal activity. Lusignan stands as an example of such activity.
There should be congratulations on reading the tea leaves and arriving at an obvious conclusion. On the other hand, there can only be condemnation for the continued failure to acknowledge the implicit message(s) and the related anger.
I had previously alluded to both in a subtle and nuanced manner. Since that approach has failed, it is time to go the sledgehammer route. I start with anger; this is only some of it. Remember: only some of it.
There is an abiding anger at a government that strangles unions with predominantly black members; that stacks the procurement process; that choreographs charity displays with black beneficiaries for public consumption; and that engages in a brown skinned paternalism.
More dangerously, there is anger at rulers who wink and nod at Indian corruption; who run interference and protection rackets; who are perceived to share in “tolls;” who coddle Indian entrepreneurs who use mainly black enforcers to eliminate mainly other blacks who get in the way through competition, exposure, or opposition.
And there is the enduring anger at black people being locked out.
A people locked out perpetually from both the mainstream bounty as well as the underground treasures. Anger expressed through a “Fineman” today could be through an “Anyman” tomorrow. They are mere conduits-albeit omnipotent ones-for the suppressed anger that explodes in automatic fire and destruction.
This anger-and Lusignan-may be senseless to the comfortable. But to those languishing on the periphery and harbouring simmering resentments at injustices-whether real or perceived-Lusignan was but one available pressure point at redress, as dastardly as it may have been. And which now brings us to the message(s).
It is that actions-such as Lusignan-can occur at any time of choosing; that any vulnerable place can be targeted, but particularly those with concentrations of Indians who are poorer; that the reach of the perpetrators (political or criminal or sophisticated) is unlimited; that the reach of the government is severely limited; that the latter’s dedicated resources are divided; and that its options are pathetic.
These are just a few of the messages from Lusignan; a few more follow. That for every one fallen in this resistance, two (or eleven) will go down. That if the fortresses are impregnable, the backdams will be used for target practice. That for a moment there is a tilting of the scales to force a re-reckoning of how things should really be.
As said, these are just some of the messages. They are clear; they are undeniable; and should be to those who offer a 50 million dollar reward, reside in 50 million dollar state edifices, and who are accompanied by 50 million dollar security forces. Given the anger, given the messages, and given Lusignan, this cannot be another quasi-party matter to be “looked into” and to “take note of.” No, it is a matter of supreme national urgency that should not be allowed to fade from memory.
It is one that requires national conversations, national resolutions, and national commitments. There is no other way. That is unless there is a willingness to absorb more Lusignans, and to view them as collateral damage and the price to be paid for power.
I close by pointing to that refrain from the 1960s. It went like this: hey, hey LBJ how many Vietnamese did you kill today? Simply substitute the initials and country, and then ask if this is not close to home.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
