P. RAWLINS, a concerned Guyanese, wrote to the Guyana Chronicle to expose the brutalization of a man at Splashmin’s Jamzone on Sunday August 30th (Surprised that people still have superstitious beliefs – Sept 3rd.)

Rawlins says he is stunned to see that Guyana is left in the dark ages with many or most of its citizens still very superstitious with the belief in bacoo, jumbie and other things of that nature. Rawlins may not know that a short while ago a woman was beaten to death for being an “old higue.”

Returning to visit Guyana after 36 years must be shocking for Rawlins but a mere glance at the daily newspapers would have revealed that this country has a penchant for stupid violence and unthinking brutality.

What shocked Rawlins the most was that medical professionals and the police stationed at Splashmin did nothing to help the man being brutally assaulted in public. Will the police force investigate this alleged dereliction of duty? Doubtful. Accountability is not a Guyanese trait.

It’s a pity Rawlins did not identify the police officers in this situation. A law should be made that officers must provide their name, number and rank to anyone in public who asks for it.

“I believe this atrocity must be brought to the attention of public officials and members of the public,” Rawlins says. Why bother? In Guyana such everyday occurrences are no big thing. Primitive minds are not averse to incivility.

Life in the “Thunderdome” continues.
JUSTIN de FREITAS