Dear Editor,
Even though my cousin, Jimmy Bacchus, made a quiet exit from this transient life, he has not left us. Each of us who knew this venerable man will keep him with us in our own special way. Jimmy will remain exceptional because he transcended race – he was of no race but of all races – making him the epitome of what a Guyanese should be and what we, as a nation, should strive to be.
Jimmy, with the mingling of races in his blood, was totally free. He had no allegiance to Africa or any of its country that sold its children into slavery. He had no allegiance to India whose sons bartered her children. And to classify himself as any race would be pointless since his only allegiance was to Guyana where all its children were his brothers and sisters. Jimmy did not have to articulate this as a philosophy, for treating people with respect was just natural for him as was his honesty and faithfulness to the rules of right and wrong. Speaking to Jimmy, I told him of his father’s mistreating my mother when she went to see him with my father. Instead of defending his father’s honour, he immediately acknowledged that his father was thoughtless and augmented his statement with other personal offences of his father.
Jimmy was always forthcoming in our discussions. When it came to politics, he always referred to politicians by their actions, be it good or bad. Jimmy and I discussed the essential need to see ourselves only as Guyanese. We who have lived outside of our country have felt the bite of racism not because we are Guyanese but because of our skin colour or the straightness of our hair. This discrimination does not differentiate shades of brownness or blackness. Being called the “N” word or its equivalent abroad is just as hurtful when it is done at home. Time may be of essence at this point when we are having a contested election. We are Guyanese and must remember that we must adhere to the election results. As difficult as it may be, try to see that the parliament in its entirety and the president are sharing power. If we continue to further divide ourselves by race, we are in danger of perpetuating the negative stereotype of us being a backward and greedy people who can be bought and controlled for crumbs.
Yours faithfully,
Stanley Niamatali
