Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 29, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor;
We are still in our Jubilee year, so how belated could I be in adding my two-bits.
I didn’t indulge in anything whatsoever for our 50th Jubilee celebrations except for what was televised, and as for the theme: “Celebrate Reflect Inspire”, I took a little time to reflect. First I need to mention that I was amazed, indeed pleasantly surprised at the plethora of songs that were composed, released and played for this occasion, they escaped no one, they brought such wonderful nationalistic feelings. I asked myself when did all this happened, all of these songs reflect a strong sense of patriotism, unity and love, a positive outlook that is so desirable for this nation or any nation for that matter. If only these songs can reach across and touch us heartfelt, then we certainly would be more compassionate, reaching out towards each other.
This nation seems to be grooming in a way that is not so pleasant, even unwittingly some things ought not to be, for they send the wrong signals. Editor, “Jubilee Celebrations of African Fest?” by Henry Jeffrey S.N May 25th 2016 was a very frank column that made mention of things that aren’t comforting and which we seriously need to wrestle with to overcome; in part the lop-sided participation of our two major races in the Jubilee events: “The apparent massive Afro Guyanese support for and participation in and the apparent Indo Guyanese absence from activities associated with the Golden Jubilee celebrations have led some to claim that the event will be no more of an African Fest, rather than a national celebration . . . . most Afro Guyanese know that comparatively not much progress has been made over the last 50 years, but they are celebrating not so much the anniversary but their release from what they perceive to have been nearly a quarter century of PPP dictatorial rule. . . . .” Indeed an extremely sad reflection of the state of the nation.
Editor, as I have observed before, a good way of gauging our unity and harmony is by noting our attendance at national events and other social community and regional activities, excluding cricket. So it was with Mashramani, so it was with President Granger’s state inauguration at the National Stadium, and the Social Cohesion folks need to be mindful that partisan politics will not in any way help them to achieve their goal. If there is one thing that the President got right was when he stated that the 5,000 victory votes which they got at the elections should be more an opportunity for national unity and not just rejoice and gloat over as party victory. And of course Mr. Moses Bhagwan was bull’s-eye in stating: “we are yet to see the flowering of unity.”
Just how do we move beyond, forward, upward may we ever go? This for me is a tall order and demands a magnanimous and patriotic approach. We are not yet out of the ugly past of yesteryear and if we are not careful, we will sooner than later be back, neck deep into unpleasant times; there are symptoms, aplenty of us slipping into darkness. Who can look me in the eyes and honestly say all is well with my Guyana Eldorado?
Too many of us are walking around blind with eyes wide open, refusing to call a spade a spade, it is so disturbing that responsible people at the helm, persons of repute, in command within the scheme of things, who are conscious of what is happening, are the very ones in denial. But truth though a lonely man is stubborn. Uncontrovertibly twist and turn it to your heart’s delight the results always tell the story. And it really annoys me hearing folks endorsing corruption as a way of life “is all over de world, yuh can’t stop it” and in saying so they feel comforted. What floors me is the confidence in which they say it – so emphatic, so indifferent as if it’s some kind of virtue no nation can afford to live without.
In the midst of trying to set this country on solid ground, there is a most major reason for immediate concern which is the daily frightening happenings and plight of our youths and which demands serious attention. We seemed to be manufacturing more than our fair share of warped minds, the direction in which they are heading has exemplified by the negative excesses is alarming tingles a sense of foreboding and severe stress. Seems to me that in a haste to empower our young folks we have probably unwittingly allowed them unlimited latitude which in a number of instances have proven counterproductive.
Understand I am not “dissing” our youths; they are as, a vital part and parcel of us and as of need deserve inclusion. But like the great China man once noted: before you put a gun in a man’s hand, you must first put something in his head, lest he points the gun in the wrong direction.
Young folks must be involved yes, but it appears as if the concept of the young involvement has been somewhat misconstrued, thus erroneously applied. Elders being considered as obsoletes, treated shabbily, no respect, dismissed and discarded with contempt; their entire behaviour says it all – gone trigger loose – especially African youths. Whatever the reason(s), we cannot blind our eyes to the rapid spreading negatives by which they are consumed. In contemplating the future, one is left in total bewilderment, especially if one is blessed with a fertile imagination.
This is why we have to keep without letting up, knocking at the continuing behaviour of top functionaries with dangerous egos; and which is being emulated by young ambitious ones who desire upward mobility in a haste and at any means necessary. As optimistic as we would want to be, the prevailing evidence are not so reassuring.
Frank Fyffe
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]