Our attitudes toward issues are driven by personalities rather than rules and facts

Jan 28, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Response is made to letter by Suegin Thomas titled, “Propping up Corbin’s shattered image” Kaieteur News (25-1-2011). What Thomas calls “propping up a shattered image,” I call speaking the truth. I am sure if I did not respond to and expose the lies of Emile Mervin, the society would have never known he was lying.
If people can be decent enough to deal with truth as against lies, whether you like the person or not, Guyana will be a better place. For too long our attitudes toward issues are driven by personalities rather than rules and facts. My letters serve to play the role of dealing with the rules and the facts.
Thomas states, “It would be expected that the Party would be engaged in a series of activities to sensitise and educate its members and supporters of the contributions of people of African descent to Guyana throughout its history.” To the best of my knowledge the International Year of People of African Descent is dedicated to correcting the wrongs committed against Africans. The country will have to come together to correct them and not just the PNCR or any single African group. Mr. Corbin’s statement to Dr. James Rose was qualified, “I wish to state categorically, however, that I will not attend any State sponsored programme for the UN Year for People of African Descent, much more speak at one, unless the expressed concerns of legitimate African Organisations are addressed.”
Hence it is mischievous and downright dishonest to ignore the preconditions which he set before he give legitimacy to a process geared for boosting the government’s image with no real tangible returns to the African community.
The PNCR in its 12th January Press Statement speaking to the government’s treatment of the year said, “Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns raised by African Guyanese organisations, in a letter to them dated 10th January 2011, the Government, using the old Slave Master Strategy of divide and rule against African ancestors, whereby they created house slaves versus field slaves, began approaching individuals within the African Guyanese Community to participate in the so-called launch in the hope of advancing the propaganda that African Guyanese groups have been involved. Having had their invitations declined, they then sent a belated invitation, two days before the event, to the Leader of the Opposition, inviting him to deliver, “the remarks”. In response, Mr. Corbin urged the Government to act responsibly so that the real objectives of the United Nations designated Year are accomplished. Naturally, that was too much to expect of the regime that has over the years shown no regard for consultation, so evident in their approach to the LCDS and the recent Budget.
Determined to manipulate the Year’s programme for political gain, all the PPP wanted was a PR event to propagandise to the world that Guyanese of African Descent were involved so that they can proceed, as they propose to do, to use the moneys allocated in the 2011 Budget for electioneering purposes disguised as expenditure for the Year of People of African Descent. It is for this reason that they excluded the genuine African Guyanese organisations from planning the programme.”
The party also called on President Jagdeo, “The PNCR has already stated that any national programme must include tangible actions to address the many concerns of the African dominated
communities, which have been the subject of discussion for many years. The issue of marginalised communities, ancestral lands, infrastructure in various communities and employment are only a few that must assume paramountcy.
The proposals by the late Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Desmond Hoyte for a model programme of development must be brought back on the table for discussion and implementation. Additionally, the Motion which the PNCR took to the Parliament on ancestral lands must be recommitted for discussion if Guyanese are to take seriously the programme for 2011. If Jagdeo wants Guyanese to take him seriously, he must also during this Year, agree to an International Inquiry into the Death Squad, which was responsible for the deaths of over four hundred Guyanese.
Thomas and Guyanese are asked to join the PNCR in its efforts to ensure the government delivers to African Guyanese in a year designated to their interests. Ever additional voice makes the struggle stronger.
Thomas asked about “Party plans to go into its constituencies and have conversations with citizens on issues affecting them.” The PNCR continues regular walkabouts and meetings the communities and this has been an ongoing exercise. The party recently did some on the West Coast Demerara, Region Four, Region Ten to name a few. The schedule for the town hall meetings will see the party visiting the 10 regions.
Hopefully Thomas will look, listen, understand and acknowledge these as party works. Members of the party will appreciate Thomas’ interest in its welfare if Thomas could be true to the party if not his or her own self.
Persons like Thomas should attend PNCR town hall meetings, meet PNCR leaders when they do walkabouts or join them in these walk about. At the very least he or she would hopefully not be forced to admit that under Mr. Corbin PNCR presidential hopefuls are made available to the public for questioning. No presidential candidate will get the position on a platter or by selection or rotation. This is ground breaking political  history in the making and we should all be enthused and fired up  to focus our attention on removing the PPP from Office.
B. Beniprashad Rayman

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