Dear Editor,
This is a strange society; it is strange to the point of being upside down on several fronts. Come to think of it, this is also pathetic and sad and, in some instances, representative of an incredible waste.
In this place, there are grave issues involving border controversy, the economy, jobs, crime, and unity that cry out for sober thinking and painstaking effort. But what is there that inundates? There is supposedly political and social commentary from some quarters that are, with a large dose of charity, mainly about gossip. It is focused on “he seh, she seh, and dem seh” in the coarsest time-honoured market traditions.
To make matters worse, this is usually dripping with venom and bile, born of an extraordinary ecstasy of malice; and which flourishes in a fevered delirium of ignorance and utter classlessness. Welcome to social insights and political sagacity Guyanese style and Guyanese quality. But there is more, and it involves another peculiar Guyanese institution. It is best labelled ‘friends’ and ‘friendship.’
John and Mary and Joseph are hailed as friends. Now despite the name dropping, the names mentioned have repeatedly spoken most disparagingly of those claiming their friendship. It is the same whether these ostensible friends are from the bar, the press, academia, or politics; it is the same story heard repeatedly. There is no trust, there is even apprehension at being associated publicly with those latching on to them. The refrain is that when some are seen on the same side of the street, evasive action occurs. People are afraid of being misquoted, or used unfairly to peddle untruths. What kind of place is this, other than strange by the moment and the men involved?
I submit that there is more than severe intellectual limitations at work. I venture that there are some heavy duty neuroses embedded. There are the delusions that come from hearing voices and seeing people and things, where none exist. How to categorize all of this? Paranoia? Disregard for any degree of ethical constraint? Or as expressed earlier ‒ mental deficits?
What else is left, when there is neither accuracy nor honesty nor integrity in the regular fare doled out? There is only this morbid obsession with rekindling ancient grudges, and getting even in the worst possible way. This has to be a sickness. At bottom, and by any analysis, this is demeaning to the Guyanese public, it deserves better. Perhaps it does not want better, which is part of the unending strangeness. It is a strange place, indeed, where the corrupt advocate incorruptibility with unblinking eyes and cheerful countenance, and then procure cheerleaders to broadcast such actions.
In the past, I have written about the local lunatic fringe, and those who form part of that admirable cabal. Today, I must say that some are so far gone, that each is an individual lunatic fringe in their own right. This is how appalling men and mice have become.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
