Dear Editor,
I write to issue a severe reprimand to Brother Ramjattan and to correct a stereotype of Afrikans given by his reported statement to Demerara Waves that the foolhardy and ostrich-like intention to increase electricity rates in Linden could “create violence in the street.”
Quite frankly it is dangerous for a leading policy-maker to be harbouring these notions of Afrikans. The impression given is that Lindeners and by implication, Afrikans, will engage in tit for tat behaviour. No, Brother Ramjattan, we are above the government‘s example. Please be reminded that in 2003 when this entire community was without electricity and water because of the government’s neglect neither Linden nor the country broke out in violence on the streets even though there were protests in the town of Linden. As a people we were able to contain the protests to Linden and apart from interrupting the traffic into and out of the interior through the Mackenzie Bridge there were no other disruptions. Even under the severe provocation of the government sending a derelict generator to replace those not working, we maintained our focus to press the authorities to do what was necessary to restore the supply of those two services to the town,
So, I ask, who will create violence in the streets? Our track record as a people shows that we are a constructive people even under conditions of extreme provocation. Governor Cuffy wrote in 1763, “Coffy, Governor of the Negroes of Berbice, and Captain Akkara send greetings and inform Your Excellency that they seek no war; but if Your Excellency wants war, the Negroes are likewise ready… ” In the 1823 rebellion when confronted by Governor Murray and asked what we wanted, our response was simply “our rights.” The classic however was the Damon’s rebellion in which the Afrikans sought out, of all the places a church at Richmond, Essequibo to stage their protest for their rights; there they occupied the compound and hoisted their flag of independence. In each instance the reprisals against the Afrikans by the Europeans for insisting on and using reasonable force to secure our human rights is a lesson in how to be inhuman. It is from our ranks that Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow the father of trade unionism and conflict resolution in the workplace sprang. No, this impression that there will be violence in the streets because of the government‘s ineptitude will not allow us to look at anyone and be violent towards them. It will not come from our community. The sanctity of life and limb is held in high esteem amongst us Afrikans, even in protest. Lord Russell, Secretary of State for the Colonies wrote “None of the most inveterate opponents of our recent measures of emancipation allege that the Negroes have turned robbers, or plunderers, or blood-thirsty insurgents. What appears from their statement is that they have become shop-keepers, and petty traders and hucksters, and small freeholders; a blessed change.” We are by nature a constructive people and our response will be constructive again.
Analysts, commentators and policy-makers alike must be wary that isolated and sporadic acts of violent behaviour committed by Afrikans and in Afrikan communities don’t get used to justify the propaganda arising out of Europe‘s agenda to besmirch the accomplishments of Afrika and her children.
I see parallels between the way in which the ruling class dealt with us in 1763, 1823 and 1834 and how they are attempting to deal with us in 2012, but we Lindeners demonstrated to the nation on November 28, 2012 how to use the ballot box; in 2003 we showed how to use public protest for social good. We are thinkers, people with a social conscience and the courage to stand for what we believe in; we are intelligent human beings, and our humanity and intelligence will be manifest again.
Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Adams
