The most brief lecture-sermon today, I promise. (Is it my six-and-a-half decades in this Guyana stressland showing? Prematurely?)
It’s just that I feel the urge to caution you, once more, not to become vulnerable to or involved in the organized, pre-season electoral “controversies” and election-oriented, public mischief and personal vendettas. My motivation and reason?
It is because I appreciate the paradoxes and ironies – especially as they apply to the hard-pressed, unemployed or overworked, underpaid working-class folks, including us Guyanese. Yes you/we are supposed to have a social conscience, to be looking out for others, hopefully being our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers in a very civilized and civil society. Then nowadays we all are supposed to pursue, or encourage “justice”.
But it’s precisely those sentiments, residing in the poor man’s breast, which certain leaders, the media and the mischief-makers exploit! For their own ends – whether those reasons are money, office or power, winning continuous favour or for just pure, evil mischief. So my hard-working, law- abiding, supposedly religious fellow-Guyanese, to you I say; Ignore! Avoid! Shun the daily or weekly “controversies” thrust your way by means of radio, television, newspapers, neighbours, preachers and (especially) politicians. What are these controversies? What are they made out to be? By whom?
Phony, “selfish” “controversies”
A few working man’s meanings, definitions. A controversy is really an extreme dispute, disputation or prolonged quarrel. It often generates its own life and intensity after being fuelled by its creators then collaborators, as well as innocent outsiders.
There are those who prolong simple issues to manufacture “controversies” just to stay in the public’s eye. For various reasons certain persons crave and need publicity and public attention as they thrive on conflict and contention. Others are loud and vexatious” to one’s spirit. Mind you, I’m not saying that from time to time, that there are not real serious or prolonged issues which turn into sustained problems which grab the social conscience and attention. And yes there are sincere analysts, columnists and commentators who offer opinions and insights – with specific objectives sometimes. Today I’m urging you, however, to avoid, to ignore the world of charlatans dedicated to promoting public mischief.
If you have the time and interest, consider who is really controversial, why and whether they enjoy – or abhor – the “status”. And as you even study inflated egos, decide which of the following “qualify” to be controversies: The Amaila Falls Hydro project and access road, the issues of the alleged contemptuous university lecturer, ACP Paul Slowe’s comments, the reason the non-convicted foundation head served five years in jail, the AFC’s leadership/Presidential candidate issue, Odinga Lumumba’s Holdings, illegal drugs couriers’ ability to pass through our international airport.
When is a theft a controversy? What makes a court case controversial? What “Dirty tricks” technique or operative fuels controversy at Elections? Again I advise, ignore the controversies except when they really affect your daily life or the development of your community. I’ll bet you’ll find that most “controversies” are not such at all. They concern an ambitious – or aggrieved – few.
My proverbs, our security
Since I love our local folk proverbs, for stress-relief purposes, I give you a few related to contention, maybe controversies: “Teeth and Tongue muss bite”, “Family Cutlish Doan Cut Deep”, “Nah put you Haan a yuh Mattie Saucepan”, “Pat Cover Open, all Man Peep Inside”, “Doan Criticise De Food If You Help Stir De Pat”, “Dog Buy Rum, Cow Drink Um, Hog In Sty Get Drunk”.
In your spare time, figure out the meanings of these Old People’s Words of Wisdom. Some border on contention. And conflict.
In terms of Community Security, I’m repeating both my hope and my advice: Our Police Stations, however modest, should be equipped with the computer – related GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to zoom in on the nooks and crannies of any given village, town, ward or district. If security firms are approached collectively, it won’t be an astronomical cost to the Police Force.
With the assistance of Community Policing Groups and safety-conscious civic groups every community’s geography could be profiled for quick, effective response. For example, why couldn’t every piece of Wismar, Bartica, Lusignan, Nabaclis, Kwakwani, Enmore, Charlestown or Anna Regina – including shops, cemeteries and backdam getaways be on maps in the Stations?
I suppose these ideas have to take the form of “scientific proposals” from Big Ones or official committees for them to fructify. Meanwhile, the criminal community thrives!
Ponder….
*1) Thank you for your E-Mail comment Mr. Alfred Bhulai. (I’m not much of a computer fellow, believe it or not.) I’ll be responding.
*2) How is the scientific alternative sanitary land fill behind Eccles coming along? After Years?
*3) I’m confident that my Stabroek News will respond to two (2) “issues” levelled against it – the Google allegation and Minister Ashni Singh’s charge of bias in the Business Weekly.
*4) I no longer Vote for politicians and pretenders. But I might review my position if any Manifesto promises to rename the Providence Stadium the Kanhai-Lloyd Stadium!
*5) So you like Brazil. What about Germany, Argentina, Spain or Uruguay?
‘Til next week!
(Comments?allanafenty@yahoo.com)
