Dear Editor,
I am constantly being agitated to say something, ever since the announcement of Guyana’s decision to observe and celebrate the UN declaration of the year of people of African descent. I am disappointed with the lacklustre activities slated for the celebration for such a momentous occasion. Why aren’t there Africans willing to pour money into a meaningful celebration? But, that is not what I am writing about today, although it is very much related to African descendants in Guyana.
I am extremely amazed at the seeming lack of vision in those who have elected themselves to represent us. I said ‘seeming’ because there may be an agenda but from where I stand it does not appear to be about African cultural and financial development in Guyana. I have long come to the conclusion that Guyana’s development is hinged on African Guyanese getting their act together and our main issue is social, a lot more than being at a political disadvantage.
As a people, we have broken away from our past principle that “one pointer cannot sweep”. We have lost our infinite love for each other.
There are no shoulders to climb on and no safety net to protect us from a fall or no one to pull us out of a ditch. That is because we are all there in the proverbial hole, because we keep pulling each other down; using the overused cliché, like crabs in a barrel. We end up being dogged and true to our individualism, very much set on taking our separate idealistic paths and inevitably getting almost nowhere.
We do not listen and seldom learn from our mistakes. We are quick to use our brawn and are much too skimpy on the use of our brain. We pioneer ideas and allow others to run with and make money from them. We need leaders who are capable of making us stop the bleeding and to help us see again.
I thought the formation of ACDA was to address these issues. One of the things our membership recognized during the early days of its existence was that even though Forbes Burnham was sympathetic to his peers he was more concerned about maintaining political power and feared the grassroots efforts and successes of ASCRIA, a similar organization (at least when formed).
African names and the popular wearing of the dashiki in Guyana came out of that cultural wave. But ASCRIA was slated for destruction out of fear of a threatening leader emerging, even though the social development principles of ASCRIA were and are still required in the African community, more so today. This alone tells me that political power, sharing or otherwise, does not necessarily mean cultural and financial development for Africans.
With all the above being the backdrop, my concerns are ignited by this new idea that is being floated around by Bro. Tacuma Ogunseye. I do not know Tacuma personally but I am sure he means well. His concerns are real but I would remain entirely away from what he is now suggesting.
Let’s reflect a bit here or risk the possibility of history repeating itself. After the not so recent jail-break the ensuing mayhem was heralded and given credence as an African resistance to oppression and marginalization. I guess that at age 10 one would become aware of prevailing political influences and pressures.
Therefore, persons 30 and younger have not experienced life under the PNC. The message coming out of the “resistance” is that someone other than self is keeping you away from what is rightly yours.
That being the case you have the right to take away, albeit forcefully, anything you want from anybody you want.
The irony is that most of the so called freedom fighters of the “African resistance” against this made up phantom, were meticulously executed by members of our security forces that are predominantly Africans. Now the resistance has morphed into self destruction. Well What am I talking about? When a national icon like Rudy Bishop cannot freely walk the streets of his home town and not be robbed or an elderly pensioner can be callously murdered for a simple gold chain, those are sure indications of the foxes or the dogs of war coming home to feed. In defending his position in an interview Bro. Tacuma said that, “The issues of African protests have been treated as if automatically they will lead to violence”.
I would rather see this than believe that Bro. Tacuma can control or suppress our spontaneously aggressive nature in the environment of a protest. My take is that this is a sure recipe for disaster.
Bro. Tacuma is rightfully worried that upcoming elections may not change traditional voting patterns, even with the obvious failures of the present administration, to all Guyanese. But he fails to see how his proposed actions further cement the fears that manifest themselves in ways contrary to free and fair elections.
In response to another question he said, “The PPP always argues that we need to build confidence and they never say how long this process is going to take – 15, 20 years?” A blogger wrote, “Black communities must go back to the fundamentals that saw the first villages; land owners and an educated mass that impacted positively on a post-emancipation Guyana.
Our young people must learn to value and use strategies that will enable the generation of wealth for the benefit of the third and fourth generations – education, thrift, dedicated work, belief in self and unity.”
I would venture to say that realizing the utopia of the above quote is what every member of ACDA and the African community should be pursuing. Attaining those goals would destroy the stereotyping and build confidence. Then any credible person would be able to present themselves to the Guyanese electorate. If person were listening, this process would have started long ago. Then the time span of 15, 20 years would have been shorter or may have been at zero today.
I do not think that Guyana is ready for power sharing because the two main ethnic groups are miles apart on an ideology for personal development. One group will feel like they are or would be carrying the other. In the prevailing environment political power will only benefit a few.
How much did Africans develop in Guyana during the 28 years in the driver seat? One of my worst nightmares is that in the event of a change of government, the new leaders may look at the “Pradovilles” and ask themselves, “Why didn’t we think about this before?” or “This is not a bad idea. Is It?”
Can’t the political parties contesting the next general elections get together and agree on something much more palatable? What about establishing that no ethnic group? How about agreeing beforehand that regardless of who wins the upcoming tug-o-war, all capable Guyanese must be considered for ministerial and administrative posts regardless of political affiliation or where they reside in the Diaspora? We must find ways of putting our best resources to work. How about establishing beforehand, should Bro. Tacuma’s fears be realized and the PPP remain in office, that Mr Granger be slated for the Home Affairs Minister post? Maybe there is someone better and there are other ministries and administrative posts that may be slated.
This may be a better approach and stands a better chance than the more contentious “Power sharing”.
The PPP had made the gesture before. Maybe it is time to re-evaluate the non-response that took place the last time around.
Yours faithfully,
F. Skinner
