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Sep 13, 2020 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column
The GHK Lall Column…
I am encouraged that the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairwoman of the PNC stepped forward on Wednesday to articulate the politically courageous, the nationally comforting. It was not much, but every little droplet that comes must be cherished for the positives it holds, and on which something, anything, could be built to steady this shaky society. Given the angry, acrimonious state in which we find ourselves as a nation, any little droplet that touches is welcome, because that is all that we are going to get. If there was ever a society that is in dire need of healing from all its hurting, it is this Guyana that is loved so much. We love it so much that we take it for granted and mistreat it, make a monstrosity of it, with all of us transformed into little monsters scurrying about with our individual mischiefs and malice. It might have been damage control, or giving up on a lost cause, but what mattered was that Mr. Harmon and Ms. Lawrence went public and spoke not a moment too soon. A word of appreciation is due for the thought and effort, which encouraged.
I am encouraged that President Ali finally got it right, but I wish that it did not have to come about in this forced and embarrassing manner for both the government and the citizen involved. I say this because he came forward with, “Dr. Adams’ expertise will be used in the rightful place – President Ali” (KN September 8). At least, the right words were finally uttered in public for this honourable Guyanese public servant and citizen, who was ‘dismissed’ at the wrong time in a worse way for the worst of reasons. I am privy to some communications regarding Dr. Vincent Adams, who was clearly NOT a political appointment, but a highly qualified – a peerless one – in his fields. Another unknown is that this member of the diaspora was coming quietly back to Guyana for a decade and performing volunteer services. I think that this well – meaning son of the soil was done an injustice, first by the Ali Administration, and secondly, by those public commentators, who branded him a hack appointee in efforts to justify his unceremonious departure. He is owed an apology from the many who painted him inaccurately. I urge constant honesty when criticizing principled people who come to serve, when denouncing anyone. As I am encouraged by President Ali’s words of using Dr. Adams, I trust he will make good on them.
Then, there was the devastating and disturbing. Cotton Tree, a place now notorious in the annals of Guyana’s criminal depravity, disturbs on multiple counts. The two murders by themselves are horrendous, and when the grotesque manner of killing is added, then reeling and retching follows swiftly. To the family, even the best that could be said feels empty, which is where I am, as in ‘I am sorry….’ I observed the shocked communities-scorched and scarred with boiling anger-and crackling with electric hatreds. I am troubled as I discern another flashpoint barely contained after much state effort. Now the name and place Cotton Tree has a sinister ring that is eerily reminiscent of the American Old South, with its hangings and killings. Except that in Guyana, these maniacal homicides and the customary racial reactions to them are as old as time. Cotton Tree exploded. I am disturbed that more places and people are as fevered and hard-edged.
As we hurt, we delight in hurting others. Each time we hurt like this, there is more hating that hits out blindly, savagely. To where Guyana, ultimately? This is what disturbs. I lift my voice to the heavens. Look over this land, Lord and all the children of this place. Help us find a way.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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