Dear Editor,
The new year as a consequence of the November 28 elections has brought with it the clamorous call for a new approach to many things, and a departure from business as usual. A ‘new kind of dispensation’; a ‘different paradigm,‘ were among the high flown terms used to demand a change in style and form for the better.
And so as the town of Linden joins with the rest of Guyana in appointing new officials, councillors and representatives for the various areas of responsibility in the interest of the people, I trust that those tasked with doing so deliberate well and that their selections are not misplaced.
Having said that, I’m making an appeal here for well-known political activist, businessman and leader of the National Democratic Front, Mr Joseph Bacchus, to be seriously considered for placement somewhere within the scheme of things in service to the Linden region.
Mr Joseph Bacchus, as almost every Lindener would know – except for the young – has been an untiring campaigner on the Linden social-political scene for many, many years. Anyone can say what s/he likes, but none can deny that Mr Bacchus is an old warrior, a forerunner, an enthusiastic and unceasing political activist, and an independent thinker who has never been timid about voicing his disagreement or being critical; nor has he ever being intimidated by challenges. It is my honest opinion that his years of experience in various organizations at all levels will be very valuable. He has always had and still possesses a fighting spirit and strong determination, hence to this day he has continued to have at heart the concerns of the Linden community and a passion to see it rise to unstoppable heights. Oh, by the way, Lindeners must bear in mind that Mr Bacchus’s party, the NDF, is a part of APNU.
Editor, when I mentioned to a youngster that there ought to be a place for Joseph Bacchus in whatever new dispensation there might be, he (the youngster) wasn’t too keen, and thought that he was over his time – too old.
But this is the way and has become the norm. Not only this young man, but almost
all young folks have this attitude towards elders – a rather unfortunate disposition I think. While we need to recognize and understand the difference between being old and being old and decrepit, I dare say that this question of young and old is sometimes blown out of proportion, so much so that many young people have only a lopsided, total misconception about the term ‘youth is the future,’ never mind that this is true, since it is the natural order of things that the young supersede the old. But there is something here terribly amiss, and there is a general discord, invariably on the part of the young. This is why elders are disrespected and discarded sometimes with gross contempt.
Notwithstanding the above I feel that in giving consideration to Mr Bacchus the matter of age should be examined from a realistic, positive and practical standpoint.
He has been an active campaigner long enough to earn a placement. He deserves it on the basis of ability, years of experience and pent-up ideas. In addition his nimble mind and commitment to the prosperity of Linden should not be neglected merely on account of age. Age in itself is not a handicap. I trust that this appeal will be looked at in a dispassionate way and we truly endeavour to change the picture and not just the frame within this new term, and call for a different and better approach.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
