Dear Editor,
Firstly, I extend my deepest sympathy to all the bereaved relatives of those killed at Lusignan; and I offer my prayers for peace for all Guyanese at this volatile time. Now, my take on the situation. Anyone who believes that a $30 million reward would entice Buxtonians to betray their bandit leader would be rudely disappointed. First of all, in general, “there is an honour among thieves”, and bandits anywhere, not just in Buxton, would sooner eliminate, rather than betray each other. Secondly, with specific regards to Buxton, Buxtonians do not betray their leaders; it has been the other way round.
There is no doubt that Buxtonians, a once cultured and indomitable people, see themselves as a people disappointed (and betrayed) by at least three major political parties, whose pride has been eroded and rights trampled upon over a period of four decades, a people whose indigenous leaders have now abandoned them for the comfort of cooler climates, a people stripped of their culture and artisanship, reduced from the independence of peasantry to the drudgery of wage slavery, eking out a subsistence existence from the scraps that fall off the tables of or are thrown to them from their paternalistic and lordly new masters, formerly on horseback, but now in BMWs. Thus eroded of humanity, they are forced to accept leadership from whatever source would offer a morsel for their belly and a cover-up for their shame, even if such leadership comes from a Robin Hood or Geronimo, who has successfully eluded capture for six years and whose logistical, organizational and unconventional military skills have apparently outshone the police, army and Minister of Home Affairs, all put together.
Having said that, I wish to refer readers to my article, “Try a New Approach to Buxton” in the Guyana Chronicle, September 21, 2004, (easily accessed from the internet). The article taking a social work perspective, strongly contends that a unique, non-conventional solution exists to the situation at Buxton, and that that solution, an apolitical and non-militaristic one, should be based seriously on consideration of the social and historic dynamic of Buxton. All previous conventional approaches (even the non-conventional approach by the now defunct “phantom” gang) have failed because they have been reactionary, insensitive and punitive, generally resulting in punishing the whole of Buxton, while the handful of real perpetrators hardly feel the squeeze. Incessant strong military manoeuvres result in getting innocent residents killed, but also do irreparable psychological damage to the community. The approach I advocate is essentially based on faith and calls for the starting off on a new slate with a new attitude and a deep, relentless optimism. It calls for generating first a policy, then deriving the procedures based on that policy.
And that policy is – the return of Buxton to economic independence through peasantization, development of artisanship, athletic and technological skills, and a re-absorption of the marginalized community (presently ostracized as a state within a state) into the mainstream of national society. The model is based on the strengths of the community rather than on its weaknesses and failures. It aims at empowering the youth and connecting them not only to a means of using their strengths in a proud and socially acceptable way in earning a living, but it also connects them to institutions – family, church, school, cultural and vocational activities and other community supports.And if the PPP/C and PNCR are genuinely interested, let them make a bi-partisan approach and collaboratively meet the youth of the community and hear their concerns.
Then follow up on these concerns. Grant land and soft loans to produce poultry, pigs and cash crops and crafts. Let them peasantise the marginal cane lands, some of which are safe havens for the bandits. Employ the “bandits” in the Guyana Defence Force and deploy them to “terrorise” those who threaten our borders. Grant scholarships to them to pursue vocational and academic studies. Offer pardons to those who take up the offers. And like Mr. Eusi Kwayana once suggested, provide 50, 70 computers to an educational/vocational programme in the community. Forget the reward. Spend the thirty million on rehabilitating the community and then watch as you leave them alone, they’ll come home.
We must think unconventionally, we must think outside the box (if indeed we can first free ourselves from the political albatrosses around our necks).
Yours faithfully,
Gokarran Sukhdeo
