Dear Editor,
Joseph Bacchus had his own political party. Many said it was literally his own party because it consisted of him and no one else. The people of Linden never took Joseph Bacchus seriously, at least, not when it came to things political. But Mr Bacchus was one of the most simple, humble, patient, tolerant and nicest persons when you really got to know him.
Many people would dismiss JB as a comical character who made politics into a joke by trying to be the political leader of our nation. Especially when he had the temerity to attempt such in a PNC town.
Linden belongs to the PNC. I don’t think that will ever change. Many, over the decades, have come to realise that, some at great expense. Lindeners will play around and flirt with any political hopefuls who wish to win that territory. They will promise you support, take your money if you wish to buy their vote and walk into the polling stations and wouldn’t even hesitate to place their x next to the Palm Tree.
JB’s party was called the National Democratic Front. He has been contesting general elections for as long as I can remember.
One day I decided to really listen to JB’s story; why he continued to contest elections and what vision he really had for Guyana, etc. We sat outside Governor’s shop, a popular hangout spot at Wismar opposite LUSCSL.
JB had a soft squeaky voice and I had to strain my ears to hear him because of the loud music. Most of the time I was distracted by people passing who would say hello and even stopped to say a few words to me. This went on for about 40 minutes and JB at first seemed unfazed by the interruption. At one point when he felt it was a bit rude and overbearing, he said to me ‘ Browne, you are a strange guy, you know. I am talking to you about something serious and I know you are not really listening to me. What kinda youngster are you, man?” I apologised and said, “Not really JB.”
I listened as he told me about the time Burnham sent his goons to bomb his home and how he met Rodney and things about that period in Guyana’s struggle that many Guyanese the world over talk and write about even to this day.
I decided, in my mind, there and then, that if I helped him to present himself a bit modern in his appearance people might take him seriously and listen to his message. The perpetual daily sixties look of him dressed in tight Crimplene trousers and worn cracky shoes had to be dropped. People were in the habit of making fun of how he dressed and nicknamed his shoes crocodile, etc.
I consulted with my friend Klensil Grenville who was a teacher, Darlo who is my former school mate and a few others. I told them JB is a Lindener and a genuine person, let us see what we could do to make him a bit more presentable for the upcoming elections. We agreed to a makeover; a complete one for JB. The meeting was set to be held at JB’s meeting place.
He guided us to the boardroom which consisted of a broken table missing a leg and some wooden makeshift benches that we had to be careful to sit lightly on. It was in his backyard. I think it was an old fowl pen. It had a mud floor.
JB went into his house to get his folder and also brought back a big jug of lime swank that balanced precariously on the shaky table. And then in a casual tone he said I am waiting for my treasurer, secretary, vice president and other NDF officials.
He went back into the house and it was then I realised that Klensil and Darlo couldn’t contain their laughter any longer. They literally fell off their makeshift seats rolling all over the mud floor, holding their sides as they laughed uncontrollably. It dawned on me that the project may very well be a futile one.
It didn’t end there. The NDF deputy leader arrived. He was none other than a former MHS bright boy, school teacher and a student of the University of Guyana. Jerry was a big fella that sported a Walter Rodney hairstyle and glasses. He had a mean, no nonsense look about him. He did not look too pleased being summoned to that meeting. I think he did not want anybody to know he was associated with the NDF. JB came back out and in an official tone, welcomed Jerry. This caused Jerry to be most annoyed. JB announced that he didn’t know why his treasurer was not there yet. That is when Jerry burst out, “Brother Bacchus, Aubrey Shanghai Major will not come to this or any meeting! I told you that before!”
While Klensil and Darlo were once again caught up in fits of laughter, my mind began to work. Shanghai is the treasurer of the NDF!?
By that time Jerry and JB were fully at it. Jerry was saying to him that Shanghai was using him and JB was telling Jerry he needed to calm down.
I later found out that JB was getting big sponsorship from a group in Canada for his electoral bid. Big financial support. The meeting ended with Jerry and JB locked in argument and myself, Darlo and Klensil in spasms.
I gave up on the project. It was just futile to even continue.
One day when the elections campaign was in full swing, we were hanging out on the frontline and Shanghai was wearing his PNC T-shirt with PNC written on the front and the face of presidential candidate, Desmond Hoyte on the back. At that same time Shanghai saw him coming and hurriedly turned his back to hide the PNC logo on the front of his shirt. Brother Bacchus shouted in his squeaky voice, “ Don’t worry Shanghai, I can still see Hoyte’s face on the back!” If I recall well, it was during the period of the 1997 general elections.
Yours faithfully,
Norman Browne
Social and Political Activist
