Dear Editor,
SO in Monday’s Kaieteur News, in his popular column, Freddie Kissoon has launched a broad side against an article in Sunday’s Kaieteur News written by Lincoln Lewis.
I am a fan of Freddie, but I believe in linking Lincoln Lewis’s statement to that of white fascism is harsh and a quantum leap. While I appreciate the philosophical underpinnings of Freddie Kissoon’s contention, we must see things in his present context, at all times seek moderation and avoid intemperate language.

The above applies to all sides.

It is fair to assume that Lincoln Lewis was seeking to solidify our Independence, preserve our pride as a nation state, protect our patrimony and vindicate the sacrifice and humiliation of our ancestors. It is right and proper that we welcome investors from everywhere – like everything else and everywhere else you’ve got the good, the not so good and the bad.

The right of an independent people is to ensure that the exploitation of our natural resources benefits the investor and more particularly, benefits the people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. We see what has happened in the Indian Islands, Africa, Latin America and elsewhere.

We must never countenance disrespect of our workers by others who come with money-bags and sometimes unfulfilled promises. On the question of immigration, we cannot compare our loaming challenges with experiences in Europe, USA and elsewhere.
Guyana is a small country with less than a million souls and we have not reached the point where we provide adequate free education to all of our children, satisfactory health services, security, water, electricity and transportation. Many of our families still double up for want of sufficient housing. Whenever an immigrant crosses our border, north, south, east or west, they are likely coming with little or nothing but will require some of those services referred to above.

It is appropriate therefore, that we discuss this matter fully and not see it as a simple matter and talk about black fascism. On a lighter note I remember as a youngster that very often at lunch or dinner time some old uncle, aunty or old friend would drop in; the practice was that your parent would remove the choicest chunk of meat from your plate to give the uninvited visitor.

I soon learnt that after meals were served and grace was said I consumed my meat before the rest of items on the plate. That was a child employing a sensible operation for survival.
Why should growing children give up their protein to the visitor? A universal wisdom is survival.

I believe that this is not a black and white situation (forgive the pun). The question really is how many persons can Guyana absorb without placing an additional burden on the fragile fabric of our society. Let us carry on the debate, examine facts and figures and avoid emotional outburst.

By the way, Freddie is right, speaking for myself, all of my children live abroad, but in each and every case they sought opportunities that were available in a much larger society that was willing to utilise their skills and knowledge.
With a few exceptions, the Guyanese who are abroad function in circumstances with a much larger society needed then.

So that is not the point.

With respect to Canada referred to by Freddie, I wonder if he has read Kari Levitt’s book, “Silence Surrender”, where she deals with Multi-national Corporation in Canada published in 1970. Thanks to the alertness of successive Canadian Prime Ministers, some of her predictions of gloom were not materialised.

The book is worth scrutiny in view of our present circumstances since there are many parallels and lessons to be learnt. Let us do nothing and think nothing to betray our ancestors and let down our succeeding generations. We don’t want an independence with a flag and an anthem but as one of our earlier leaders said “we do not control (the commanding heights) of our economy.” Remember the days when BG was translated to mean Bookers Guyana and not British Guiana. A truism because Bookers then was in control of the life and fortunes of our people. To Freddie and Lincoln, let’s talk to avoid any form of re-colonisation, the dismemberment of our traditional values and the disfigurement of our families and communities.

Regards
Hamilton Green