Dear Editor,
Been there! Live that! That was my reaction to the letter titled ‘Members of the diaspora are not welcome in Guyana’ from Anthony Pantlitz (SN, Nov 14). It is what I have experienced here in this lovely land from its citizens, believed clever. There is much I agree with as stated, and then there is more.
I have heard “businessman” (euphemism for drug dealer or money launderer), “American spy,” and other encomia to describe me. From the small (very small) minded perspective of natives, nobody does what some of us have dared to dream and then actually do. That is, give back. Locals are so accustomed and jaded from users and takers that a genuine giver is automatically suspect, a man to be watched. Further, if such persons only want to give and don’t want anything, then that makes them dangerous. Why?
Because they will see things they shouldn’t see; connect dots; and be able to recognize the frauds masquerading in all the places that Mr Pantlitz identified. I know, as I had occasion to deal with my own welcoming parties from the church man, the army man, the media man, the charity man, and the professional man, to point out just a few people. They all have a problem with a certain kind of remigrant.
Remigrants who don’t want tax holidays, concessions, land grants, and government largesse are too good to be true; too unbelievable. As some have said to me: “nobaady duz do dem ting dah.” Well, I disagree sharply. Some do because they love and care for this place. I personally resent the association with assorted carpetbaggers, scalawags, and two-bit hustlers who arrive on these shores pretending at patriotism; and all who just want to take, whether from abroad or here.
I agree that people want money; I understand the poor and their plight. What I find utterly repugnant is that the resistance comes from the core of local society. The old core that rightly agitated against the PNC is now so hopelessly entangled with a sleazy administration that its tongue is tied, its hands are tied, and it is totally hogtied. The arrivistes have only added mass to that old core. I know them, I have met them, and I have shared with them. And they don’t like people that they cannot read, especially those who go against the grain. Hence there are the experiences of brother Pantlitz. Still, I encourage him (and others of like mind) to put head down and give; but give carefully.
It might be helpful if I close by sharing one of the themes from a manuscript in progress. They feared Jagan because he threatened to take their holdings; they hated Burnham because he actually did just so. Now the enemies of the wars of 50 years ago (the “they”) live “head and foot” in the same bed. This is about Big Brother loving Big Business. Thus those who are clean, have no needs, seek no favours are not only unwelcome, but suspect. Welcome home, Brother Pantlitz! So good to see you!
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
