Dear Editor:
ALLOW me a few lines to comment on Freddie Kissoon’s column in Wednesday’s edition of Kaieteur News captioned: “We never should have celebrated the 50th in such a big way.”At the outset, let me make it clear that I respect the right of individuals to have and express views on issues, especially on matters pertaining to the governance of their country of birth and/or residence. So Freddie has every right, as a widely read columnist, to express his views and to help shape public opinion on issues of national import. That having been said, I must point out that others have the right to disagree and to offer counter opinions and I disagree with Freddie’s position that “we never should have celebrated the 50th in such a big way.”
I am not aware of anyone’s challenge of Freddie’s commitment to Guyana, notwithstanding some of his views that suggest that Guyana is a failed state and that we have nothing to celebrate, which views I do not share. I totally agree with Freddie and countless others that the flag-raising ceremony and the golden jubilee gala left much to be desired. I hope there is a cabinet review of these events and that there be lessons learnt from this experience that would prevent re-occurrences of such embarrassment.
These unfortunate disappointments notwithstanding, the 50th anniversary celebrations in my view reflected the pride, loyalty and commitment of the majority of Guyanese, at home and abroad, to their homeland. In my view, these celebrations, big as they were, were necessary and thankfully successful.
I spent from May 10 to 17 and then from May 20 to 31 in Guyana during which time I interacted with people at all levels….from Bam Bam Alley to Berbice…..with comrades and concubines…..and what I discovered from these interactions was a “forgiving disappointment” with the performance of the coalition government during its first year in office, yet great hope and enthusiasm for a better Guyana in the near future.
Freddie questions whether the state of the economy and infrastructure could bear the burden of these big celebrations, but never asked the question whether the economic impact of the spending by visitors and others would offset government spending and therefore reflect a positive contribution to the economy. He also makes reference to an incident at one of several shows held during the past month and compares it to an incident-free Rhianna world tour. I am sure that Freddie is aware of several concerts in various parts of the world where there was violence and loss of innocent lives. In Miami just last year there was a concert at which there was violence and loss of life. In my view, one of the most significant positives of the celebrations is that there were few incidents and just one tragic loss of life of a young man crushed by a truck. There were expectations among some of rapes and robberies, but these were not to be. Even with the aggressive driving by Guyanese motorists I have heard of no major accidents notwithstanding the many “comebackees” who took to the road in rental cars and family vehicles. So my friend Freddie, whom I saw on at least two occasions at the fish shop on Durey Lane, hopefully enjoying the celebrations, like I did, might want to rethink his position on whether or not the celebrations should have been so big.
Yours truly
Wesley Kirton