Dear Editor,
The back and forth on the Caribbean Press with the statements by Dr David Dabydeen that the writings of local Guyanese are “doggerel” and “puppyrel” belie the important aspects of this debate. Here is an experienced writer, a born Guyanese, who, more than anyone else, should be able to admit that he had his doggerel days back in the past when he started his literary pursuits. Doggerel days affect all of us, in any profession, whether it be medicine, physics research, dentistry or literary areas ‒ I am sure that Martin Carter had his doggerel days when he started out as a writer, and look how far he came.
There is no room for politics or political machinations when it comes to literary pursuits, and it seems to me that this debate in SN’s letter section is all about politics and not really about our young writers who will provide a real pool of talent for the future. This government and Dr Dabydeen should be very concerned about the level of reading material available to our young people in this country, because without reading a wide range of printed matter how can one become a prolific and accomplished writer? Without proper facilities such as writing workshops in high schools or wide-ranging libraries for our youth, how can we move on from doggerel writing?
Without the proper teachers, themselves dedicated to seeing our youths flourish, how can we advance our literary talents to compete for the future? Without the foreign connections in literary circles, how can our youths get the breaks which they need to further their education and get their writings published?
Instead of propaganda like “grow more food,” this government should be pushing “read more books.” Where is Dr Dabydeen’s take on these deficiencies which this government has had 20 years to correct? The Caribbean Press is another band aid solution which this government seems to make a ‘career’ of and which is really icing on a cake which is spoiling inside and not worth eating if the items listed above are not addressed.
Editor, Dr Dabydeen made his choice to place his political aspirations above his literary contributions. As Ambassador to China ‒ a very political appointment, especially when we look at the Chinese government’s economic and political considerations vis-à-vis Guyana ‒ he has to be aware that he has firmly placed himself in the eye of any storm where the deficiencies of this government are concerned, especially when he makes certain statements, as he did in his ‘doggerel’ letter.
Unfortunately, Dr Dabydeen has seen fit to take sides, the government side, in this unhappy affair, and his comments have surely impinged on his credibility as a literary figure, which he had achieved against great odds and which have to be admired.
Editor, I, as a very wide-ranging reader, can assert to anyone, that my writing abilities are due solely to years of reading books written by great writers, whose style and content continue to enhance my interest in writing, and more importantly, continue to provoke me to appreciate the essence of literary achievement. Dr Dabydeen should ponder the miscalculation he has made, and set out to correct his political intrusions into the literary circles of Guyana, by apologising to young Guyanese writers who have to be much more unsure of themselves after reading his ‘doggerel’ letter.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
