Empty argumentation on marginalisation
MARGINALISATION today is the talk of the town. The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) believes that its street protestors have had demonstrations because they are marginalized, among other things. Let’s not sweep under the rug the fact the PNC/R marginalized both the African and East Indian working class in the infamous ’28 years’ of the Burnham/Hoyte rule. Also, let it be known that today while some Africans experience poverty in the urban areas, some East Indians, Amerindians, and Africans, in that order, confront poverty in the rural locales. Poverty, in itself, though, is not sufficient to marginalize any population group. Over the period 1968 through 1992, the PNC victimized and marginalized its own working-class supporters and others, as attested by what now follows.

While working at the University of Guyana, I observed the socialist transformation process, as articulated by the PNC administration. It soon became clear to me that the Government’s public policies were dissonant to its actual policies. This dissonance meant that while socialism was projected as its public ideology, state monopoly capitalism was the actual economic ideology earnestly pursued.

The PNC Government throughout its rule, defiantly and falsely paraded cooperative socialism as its governance framework. This framework, albeit false, publicly targeted education and other social institutions for implementing the socialist transformation process. Education and the economy were specially beleaguered for participation in this charade; and with education especially manipulated as a buffer to provide legitimacy to an illegal regime.

Today, I wish the critics can present appropriate evidence that Africans are marginalized, so that we can have a healthy debate; and apply corrective policy action where necessary.

The critics continue to engage in polemics, or mere empty argumentation. And if they continue to talk about African marginalization, by definition they should demonstrate how Africans experience a structure of double ambivalence.

The critics have not presented any reliable and valid evidence of African marginalization, be it at the individual or institutional level. What we have in all their responses are mere arbitrary examples, empty rhetoric, and impressionistic statements.

And so in Guyana, we can ask these questions: Is there nationwide race-ethnic conflict in Guyana? Is Guyana a deeply divided society? When is a society considered to be deeply divided? Is ethnic conflict happening because it’s in the blood? Is ethnic conflict behavior learned? Is race-ethnic conflict socially constructed and reconstructed? Are ethnic extremists perfecting the construction of race-ethnic conflict? Is the explanation of race-ethnic conflict not devoid of a class analysis? Do we have a dominant ethnic group? Is there ethnic insecurity and ethnic mistrust? Are some politicians and the mass media not influencing the formation of a false reality of ethnic conflict among the masses? Does Guyana have characteristics of race-ethnic conflict similar to Bosnia, Rwanda, and ‘Apartheid’ South Africa? Is the Government delivering goods and services to all Guyanese? Is there evidence of social marginalization? Only the Guyanese people can genuinely answer these questions.

People in an intensely divided society identify themselves by their ethnic group; where people in those societies experience inequality and discrimination based on ethnicity; those societies have the capacity to explode in hostility and violence.

In a multiethnic society like Guyana, what we need to do, among other things, is to evaluate the impact of the government’s policies on all ethnic groups, to establish whether or not, there is marginalization/discrimination. We need concrete evidence on these matters and not rhetoric.

At any rate, what yardsticks or what measures do the critics apply to determine their conclusion that Africans are marginalized, or that Africans are in office and not in power. Again, what yardsticks are the critics applying to conclude that there is marginalization of institutions?

However, in a multiethnic society wherever marginalisation may prevail, there is a strong probability that it would tend to touch all ethnic groups, not one group. Give us specific evidence of marginalization, so that we can apply corrective action. And, incidentally, a disadvantage is not necessarily marginalization. And consider, too, the motives of these people shouting on rooftops about African marginalization; let these people provide the evidence.
PREM MISIR

The opposition’s horrendous crime against humanity
RACISM is one of the most upsetting problems that may exist within a society, which brings back mishaps of the past, many times degrading the future.

Many times, the opposition accuses the government of discriminating against Afro-Guyanese, but the truth is, the opposition themselves are discriminating against their own people by subordinating them, and slapping them in the face with lies that this government will never allow them to achieve self-development.

I want to say that this government is the only one that has tried to improve race relations in Guyana and has taken steps to set up the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) to deal with race related matters. Instead of the opposition working along with their people to help free their minds of the past and improve themselves, they prefer to brainwash them into thinking that they are stuck in the past.

Everyone must know that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is no longer supported by mainly East Indians, but now consists of a broad cross-section of other ethnic groups. Today, the opposition sees this as a threat to maintain supporters for their party, and so retreat to the old race card game to win support.

They continue to say that blacks are marginalized and are denied jobs, but the reality is not so, they also say that those Afro-Guyanese that are employed under the PPP are mere tokens, but we need to ask the question whether those persons see themselves are ‘mere tokens’ or rather as qualified persons who fit the job description.

They also claim that this Government discriminates against blacks with regard to employment; if this is true, then all cases of discrimination in the workplace should be reported so that the matter can be addressed, since such acts are clearly wrong.

It is sad that we have such a nasty opposition, who deliberately try to fracture their own people, and what is even more depressing, is that the people themselves often fall prey for their brainwashing tactics. It is time the people of Guyana start thinking for themselves and take note of all the economic achievements Guyana has accomplished thus far. Our history reports the truth and shows the economic and developmental progress Guyana has made and is still making so far. We must watch out for those few pen pushers, who deliberately try to distort the history of Guyana to suit their purposes and weird hallucinations, since these people can be deemed as ‘mad’ and probably dangerous too, if they should succeed into brainwashing those who do not know.

The opposition is so nasty that they play up racism because of their selfishness and hatred for the Government. The present supporters of the opposition need to know that the nasty truth about their leaders. This Government regardless of the many challenges they may face, has never used race in their political campaigns to gain support, and it is only the opposition that is guilty of this behaviour.

I have also noticed another attempt to spark fire in the society by the opposition by using the Simmel’s case; some media houses and the opposition are presenting the information gutted out by those being questioned in the Simmel’s trial as if the court has ruled and everyone is proven guilty. The people of Guyana must understand that a verdict has not been ruled, and that questioning is being executed for data collection. We must not jump to conclusions until the court has ruled a verdict, and until then everyone is considered ‘not guilty’.

Guyanese need to apprise themselves of the facts so as to limit the chances of falling prey to the brainwashing culprits; and the opposition and those mischief makers of media houses need to understand that racism holds a society back and hampers social evolution and development, and such acts should be considered a horrendous crime against humanity.
ELIZABETH DALY

Freddie needs a dose of his own medicine
KWAME McCoy penned two superb explanations of Freddie Kissoon’s persona recently.  After reading those commentaries, one should not attempt to use logic, sound reasoning, and rational arguments to counter the illogical nonsensical comments of Freddie Kissoon. He is immune to rationality.   You have to behave like him in order to counter his nonsense to gain his respect.

When I was a doctoral student at New York University in Fall 1984, I took a course on fascism with Professor Bertell Ollman.  He suggested the way to counter fascists is to give them a dose of their own medicine. I believe the same applies to Freddie Kissoon – give him a dose of his own medicine.  Pretend like” yuh head na good” and say all kinds of silly, illogical things about him.  Then he will understand you. In fact, a psychologist from New Jersey offered me the same advice about my responses to Freddie.  The good Doc (Persaud), formerly from East Coast, said “Da boy head na good. I know that from what he writes. He pens you are not a teacher but every Guyanese knows you are a teacher.  He says you are not a pollster.  Yet every Guyanese knows you have been conducting polls for years. So something got to be wrong with his head. When you respond to him, play like yuh head na good. He will respect you because he won’t want to disrespect his kind”.

Similar advice was given to me when I was in Guyana. Everywhere I went people said don’t bother with Freddie.  “He head na good”, is how they defend him.  They feel sorry for him and wish if something can be done to help him.  I too wish if he can be helped.  Many have tried but all have failed. Some suggested that he seeks help in Canje.  Ravi Dev suggested he consult Dr. Hari.  I urge that a pandit jharay him. But he won’t take advice.

Brother Kwame, thanks for your explanations!  Guyanese know all is not well with Freddie.  That is why they don’t take him on.
VISHNU BISRAM

Shri Gossai’s passing has created void
THE death of Shri Prakash Gossai has brought an interesting chapter of Hinduism to a closure. A void has been created by his passing. Today many pandits are trying to fill that space. It is said that great men set examples for others to follow. Many pandits have the will but they are all terribly lacking in humility and knowledge.

Foremost among these pandits are one who abandoned his Sabha because he realized that he may not become the president of that organisation. What he did was to try to make a new Hindu organisation. He went about this by recruiting members of his former organisation who had a grouse with the leadership style of that organisation.

Now any Hindu who is desirous of forming a religious organisation must be free to do so. However when the motivating factor behind the formation of any religious organisation is hate then that pandit and organisation are bound to fail.

A pandit and his followers sought to use the Lusignan massacre as their launching pad for an organisation called the East Coast Mandirs Association. However, it backfired on them when Hindus realised that what they were into was something that was being built on hate, deceit and selfishness. Therefore the East Coast Mandirs Association never blossomed.

Now where ever this Pandit goes he vilify his former icon and the organisation he used to belong to .The Hindu scriptures declare that the ( God Father ) must be revered as God This ambitious pandit preaches this as sermon wherever he goes. Yet he bad talked his guru all the time.

Now that his followers have seen his true intentions, many have deserted him. They now are also being labelled as cowards and stooges. He is now isolated to the extent that Hindus do not take him to perform their pujas.

This pandit is now referring to his guru  as a dictator and oppressor of Hindu views, but Hindus all over Guyana know this particular pandit as the worst oppressor of independent Hindu views and organisation. Three years ago at a Hindu conference at the Pegasus this particular pandit said that only his organisation has the right to speak for and on behalf of Hindus of Guyana.

How ungrateful some people can become? It is through the political influence of the guru that this pandit was appointed a Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits. It is the same guru that got him placed on many state boards and commissions.

This pandit is a good example of how attitude changes with status. He was against the Vedanta University at one time but is now teaching Vedanta while throwing stones at his guru. Let this be a warning .He who abuses his Guru will reborn as a crow.   No religious leader should try to enhance his status by ridiculing others. Especially when the one they curse has always showered them with love.

The main message of Shri Prakash Gossai was never hate anyone. Give respect where it is due and do not try to look tall by cutting the feet of others.
ESHWAR SHAKTI PERSAUD

The widely circulated daily fraud
A full-page paid advertisement of the “Kaieteur News Agenda” in the Sunday Chronicle, once again testify to the deceitfulness and unprofessionalism of the newspaper.   

How can an agency allow its staffers to go around impersonating representatives from the Government Information Agency (GINA)? Isn’t it high time for persons to move that this paper to go out of existence?

Everyone, even the most ardent of Kaieteur readers can attest to the credibility or lack thereof, in the articles printed in this daily fraud. Mr. Harrychand Tulsi shouldn’t even have to dignify this agency with any response whatsoever; though I believe the clarifications were more for the benefit of the public.

Kaieteur News is almost always heavily dependent on sensationalism, either to promote sales or to manifest their political preference. Either of the two makes their lack of integrity and professionalism transparent; hence viewers should be wary of what they read and have the good judgment to disregard the fallacies. 

The management and staff of Kaieteur News have broken every rule in journalism. Just for a moment, let’s forget about their “agenda”, what kind of people go around scheming and lying in the name of journalism?

On a few occasions, I talked myself into giving these so-called journalists the benefit of the doubt, thinking that maybe, just maybe they were misinformed, but the deliberate trickery orchestrated by that reporter in question leaves very little to the imagination.

Further, guards and other officials should seek proper verification when they are approached by the press before divulging any information.
L. BROWN

Caribbean unity has fast blown away.
WITH nothing coming out of the West Indies Cricket Board impasse and with the unopposed election of Hunte and Cameron again, I believe the whole unity of the Caribbean has fast blown away.

Just imagine the board wants to send another set of second- string players to South Africa. This is an insult and the Caribbean countries must take a united stand. I will suggest that businessmen withdraw their sponsorship and channel their funds to other cricket playing tournaments. The cricket board is bigger than cricket it seems. All business owners let it be known now: No senior players, no cricket sponsorship!
JAMES MARAKHAN

So disturbing to see so many fatal accidents recently
IT is so disturbing to see so many fatal accidents recently.  Lives are being destroyed, families left in anguish for loss of loved ones, and in many cases sole breadwinners.  The pains of loss of near and dear will be fathomed for a lifetime by surviving relatives.

Why so many accidents?  Definitely speed, the thrill, carelessness, and over confidence in some cases.  I have noticed many learn to drive from parents, families and friends and imbibed their bad driving habits, in addition to developing their own. 

It is heart rendering to witness in the newspapers this early Monday morning of August 17 that a husband and wife perished, but so will their children and siblings as well, their parents, all will perish in life.  The two children, cousins that were wiped out in the gruesome accident are so unfair, so sad.  I can feel the pains of the parents.

An important note to the police:  Yes, the speed limit has increased.  That was necessary and understandable due to the volume of vehicles and kinds of vehicle now being manufactured.   But why remove the Police with the radar guns or ease the aggressiveness. 

I believe that accidents were less when the police were more aggressive, and when their presences were visible often on the various highways.  I suggest that the aggressiveness be resumed and replaced at the earliest.  Even if one life is saved, then it will be good for all Guyana.

Please, people of Guyana, and myself first, my family and drivers of my business enterprises; let us all always practice the three C’s in driving:  care, courtesy and caution which is the hallmark of an excellent defensive driver.

My sympathies to the relatives of the deceased, and also to the government and people of Guyana, for in loss of lives of our human resources, all Guyana loses.
ROSHAN KHAN

Allegations of malpractice by JPs worrisome
THE spate of allegations about malpractice of some JPs continues to be a source of worry to the Guyana Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavits Association. This was evident in a recent housing matter brought to the attention of the association by the Honourable Minister of Housing and Water. The documentation used was an irrevocable Power of Attorney to facilitate the sale of a portion of transport land. The transaction, sad to say, was fraught with irregularities, warranting police intervention and the need for the Ministry to repossess the said land and to pronounce the said transaction null and void.

The JP Association in previous releases emphasised the need for JPs to demonstrate unfailing professionalism in the execution of their duties according to the Statute in the Laws of Guyana; The Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates’) Act Part II Chapter 3:05 Sections 14 – 20.

The appointment of JPs in the first place is in accordance with the ‘Oath of Office’ which is administered in the presence of a Magistrate/Judge for the respective magisterial jurisdiction. The Oath subscribes to the performance of his/her civic duties without fear, favour and ill-will. Some of these duties include the witnessing of signatories to a document, receipts and payments, signing of passports, NIS forms, Life Certificate of pensioners, social welfare claims, preparing Wills and Testaments, providing guidance and counselling and mediation in matters for peaceful solutions.

A JP is a very influential and highly respected person in the community and should be an inspiration to others. The services of a JP should be voluntary. However, minimal charges of fees may be accepted but all forms of skullduggery are highly objectionable.

No JP should get involved in matters of a corrupt nature and that would bring the JP name in disrepute. JPs should be seen as the vehicle of justice at the grass root level. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security should therefore utilise the expertise of JPs to promote certain activities aimed at bringing justice to the poor, the less unfortunate and the down-trodden. The Police Stations with the involvement of JPs should support social and judicial reforms that would enhance peace, unity and progress.

Any JP, whose activities are currently under scrutiny, would be monitored and a feedback given by the association to the Office of the President for action which may lead to a revocation of the Commission.

Let it be noted that many of the accused JPs cited are not members of the Association, so that they perform their duties without proper accountability to anyone. This is a mistake and should be rectified by the authorities before it becomes uncontrollable.

All JPs are strongly advised therefore to become financial members of the JP Association to benefit from proper representation and to enhance their professionalism.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH