Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 09, 2010 Letters
Dear Editor,
I have never had the reason to/neither do I have any intention of indulging in dialogue that is bordered on ‘buse out’. Hence the reason why it took me some time in making a decision on whether I should respond to the letter written by Claudia Theresa Heywood, “My daughter rejected offers to go abroad because she wanted to serve her country”, (SN November, 24th).
In a previous letter Ms. Haywood wrote, “my anger burns in my breast and I must speak least I implode”, well, my letter it seemed brought about that implosion, I felt her anger in that dispassionate reply where her emotions got the better of her and clouded things somewhat.
Had she not mentioned my name I would not have believed that that letter was a response to mine published in both SN and Kaieteur News November 22nd. I was disheartened and taken aback, dumb struck by the level/depth of her misconception; totally bewildered and stunned more so that she shouted from atop she is, “also a graduate of the University of Guyana”.
Almost everything I said was taken out of context, turned inside out, upside down, which made me wondered; was it a combination of the anger burning inside and the haste to respond – this time – that was responsible for such convoluted pattern of reasoning/deduction?
This must be one among the most grotesque of misinterpretations ever. You have indeed provided readers with a classic example of reading and not comprehending. I recognised her daughter’s outstanding achievement, commended her and accorded her due respect. My letter was crafted in good faith, no personal criticisms were directed at her or anyone for that matter, but Ms. Claudia Heywood didn’t take the time to fathom what I was saying – as I supposed she was trained to do – or how else could she possibly arrive at the ridiculous conclusions – non sequiturs – and end up handing me a busing.
As many people who read the letter said to me, “why this woman cussing you out, she ain’t understand wha yuh write, you ain’t say nothing bad about she daughter”, definitely she was in a world of her own.
My letter was in essence objective and generalized observations, the questions asked were not confined and directed to her (daughter) but were open; being the valedictorian, speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates they were channeled through her. How on earth did she contrive my letter as attacking her daughter?
I said in my letter… “This letter highlighting the valedictorian’s situation is unfortunate and did not make for pleasant reading”. Most certainly, no sincere Guyanese can feel a sense of comfort upon reading that one of our young brilliant minds, a top student from our University not being able to get a respectable job one year after graduating and with 41 applications sent out! That indeed is a sad state of affairs – to me at least, and it is also very unfortunate; is that something for me to rejoice about? Lo and behold Ms. Haywood accused me of describing her letter as unfortunate, says further “Sir, you gave yourself away!
This is no time for pleasantries. If you desire pleasant reading check the kids department (fiction section) at the National Library.” This talk about giving self away, pleasantries, kids department and fiction is a whole lot of piffle – rambling thoughts, clearly does not fit in. Unemployment, creating jobs; this is a critical area, a
failing which the Government must take a whipping for, and may I say further that there are a host of other things amiss and adrift, even outrageous and scandalous that are totally unacceptable and should be fought with “tooth and nail” I wish to let that be known.
Ms. Heywood considers my question, “How do you see yourself in service of your country” as insipid, she says, “How can one serve if one is not given the opportunity to serve!” This question has been repeatedly asked the world over by speakers giving the charge to graduates for them to ponder upon; it is madam, more of an abstract question. I am not an apologist for the Government, so when you state, “the truth is out and no meandering on your part will erase it”, I’m baffled, it makes no sense to me, none!
I endeavour to exercise independence of thought; to see things through my own eyes, I always have. And was there a need to remind me who wrote the letter? I think not.
You played me cheap, there is nowhere in my letter you can find where I despise our young brilliant minds, as you suggested, I would not do such a thing, they are the ones we will ultimately have to bank on, hence the reason for us to shape and guide them towards a firm path.
And for all the tea in China I cannot understand how you arrive at saying “you are neither feeble nor spineless”, and probably only heaven knows how you got the impression of me saying that your daughter and others have been stubbornly rejecting job offers; this is so abysmally absurd, it doesn’t warrants attention.
Well Claudia Theresa Heywood I took my time and read your letter, and with this letter I too close this issue. The venom and passion that flowed from your pen did not bitter me none, for I’m sure if you had properly grasped my honest and frank point of view, then your missive would have been structured much differently, but rest assure I did learn something, yes siree!
I did, said that you didn’t found anything I said of any value, but as they say, it is better to be disagreed with than to be misunderstood.
Best wishes to you and your daughter.
Frank Fyffe
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