Dear Editor,
I look belatedly at developments concerning Central High School (Central) and I hear the silence of Guyanese lambs. I detect yet another travesty of leadership in this country, as I observe the woeful, weak-willed politicians, who we elect to lead us forward, but who take us all deeper into the swamp that is the essence of themselves. My language will not be tempered.
Central High, a Grade A institution is physically moved (necessary), intellectually diluted (unnecessary) and spiritually drained (nonchalantly). I am ashamed that I did not say a word earlier, despite prior knowledge, news reports, and letter contributions(s) from others troubled. The latter may have been from alumnae (like me) of this storied facility. Like I said, I am disappointed with myself. Without making any excuses for myself, it is still a reflection of my partial re-acculturating into local life, and with which, sometimes, there is too much wastefulness in watching deceiving and stomach-cringing politicians, and the plundering, reeking lot of them, barring few exceptions. It is of men and women, who prostitute themselves, while lacking any quality of character, any quantity of intellect.
I say this because the circumstances of Central were known by the previous government and the current one. That it needed land; that it cried for room for the children; that it required money to start over bigger, stronger, and better. Better for student and school and, ultimately, country. Central got nothing.
While this was unfolding, mangy men and their mangier cabal constructed palaces for themselves on prime state real estate, which they prearranged at bargain prices. I call it the pearls of power, the sins of political scoundrels with looted extravagances on gaudy display. These are the charming self-enriching hypocrites, who weep of how much they care about the plight of sugar workers and their children. Meanwhile, partners in crime were building monuments to their ego, and the children and parents of Central lived with their fears, while wondering what would become of them. We know now.
For that terrible government was followed in office by the so-called agents of change, who are the people of the present administration. They were quick to take care of immediate business at hand; like their craven and callous predecessors, it was for themselves, too. They awarded themselves a staggering pay raise, which was supposed to convert from crooks to conscientious comrades and outstanding public service contributors. We are still waiting to see any of those. Incidentally, there were scholarships for themselves to improve something.
Editor, I examine all of this, and I observe the usual squalid, rancid political people of Guyana. It is about cut rate land for self; tax breaks and duty-free concessions for self; free higher education for self. In other words, the fat and hog of the land, while nearly a thousand children at Central are jettisoned to their unappealing fate. These are the known characters that we elect to run us into the ground.
On the other hand, talk about VAT on education and a slew of people (some influential) hit the heights to lean on the government. It listened. Indicate intention to introduce parking and the dirty money elements (some political) stood in sturdy resistance. There was bartering with a government reduced to pawnbroking. Try to bring some civility to the barbaric minibus system and men take to the hustings. The indecent and coarse suddenly are virginal choirboys in need of consideration.
Now I ask: where are the thousand parents of the thousand children of Central High? Where are the tens of thousands of the now far-flung alumnae, who hold the idea, interest, and inspiration of a Central in their hearts? That includes me. The poor cannot still be so poor that they are preoccupied with making a living or fixated on the pornography that is of national elections. Surely, we can drum up the drive to raise voice and pen, if only to call out the sorry, dirty, smelly political leaders for who and what they are: thoughtless. Unwise. Idiotic.
In New York City, plans are in motion to academically integrate prestigious high schools, and hell catches afire from the incinerating heat of furious parents. Over there, the assertion is that it is about leveling of scales, which could be argued for or against, to one’s delight. Over here, in the instance of Central High, there is no such objective at work. Rather, it is merely the routine of plantation political overseers, who make bondsmen and bondswomen of us all: get them moving; get them somewhere; get rid of them and the problem.
This is the best that the government can do for the students of Central. I do not need a scholarship to teach me how asinine, shameful, and pathetic this decision looks. With governments like these, who needs fools and felons? I wish I had spoken earlier and registered my total contempt for what passes for governance in this country year in, year out. The language fits the circumstances and the objects of derision.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
