Dear Editor
NAME a country in which dangerous media mischief — of all kinds — have carved out an immoral political niche for their own selfish, and politically vested interests and I will unhesitatingly shout ‘’Guyana!’’

Editor, the well-known DemeraraWaves online newsite has again underlined its capacity for such disingenuous reporting, with reference to a captioned report, “Bulk of oil wealth to trickle down to ordinary Guyanese – Granger.” This was with reference to President Granger addressing a mammoth gathering of African Guyanese at the Victoria Community Centre ground, on the occasion of the 180th anniversary celebration of the founding of the historic village of Victoria.

Indeed, it was a grand occasion, a national milestone that was being celebrated for a movement that had given birth, setting the stage for the socio-economic structure that is now modern local government in Guyana; every succeeding existing village in our country owes its establishment because of this example; and it was constructed on the sweat, blood, and bones; hardships, sacrifice, dexterity, visionary thrift, and determination by their immediate successors. These successors had been determined to survive the hostile post-slavery environment, which the former colonial slave holders/planters had sought to perpetuate to frustrate the future budding aspirations of a people seeking to chart their own destiny.

It meant that every Guyanese, particularly those of African descent, had a right to be there, for the historic day of celebration, even if it means that “Several hundreds of them were bussed in from Berbice, East Bank, West Demerara, and East Coast Demerara villages.” Therefore, the thousands gathered were a re-affirmation of the African spirit to overcome and to begin the final journey for socio-economic emancipation
Editor, that I have sought to refer to this issue is because I suspect a glint of media mischief here in the DemeraraWaves story, given the fact that bussing in citizens for especially political occasions has always been cause for criticisms, especially given their nature.

Let me say, without any apology, that what took place at Victoria last Saturday was a national event, historical in every way, and one of which every Guyanese, especially African Guyanese, should be proud, and therefore had a right to be present at that historical place for commemorative activities, even if it means being bussed in. Therefore, it was not a political party event as perhaps DemeraraWaves seems to want to infer, by its reference to the hundreds being bussed in for the event.

DemeraraWaves must be reminded that the event itself was much bigger than its mischievous attempt at subtly hinting at use of taxpayers’ money, in another attempt to besmirch the coalition government.

Regards
Mark Da costa