Dear Editor,
EXCEPT for the iconoclast and the radicals, I believe that the rest of Guyana is anxious to overcome the wide political gulf that is apparent as a result of Elections 2020. I broke my curfew to attend a funeral on the West Bank, and spent some time on a fish wharf earlier today (before daybreak), and this is the impression I got from persons who may have supported either side of our unhappy political divide.
President David Granger has clung to the proper position, and, as a Statesman, made it clear that he is not prepared to interfere with constitutionally-established bodies, including GECOM. The independence of these constitutionally-independent bodies is crucial to securing the integrity and viability of our Nation’s State. It appears that under some pressure, he and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at the instance of our CARICOM friends and others, signed an MOU, seeking the recount of votes in all of the regions.
This Jadgeo-Granger agreement has been challenged, and I dictate this letter before the Court may have adjudicated on this matter. But, Dear Editor, after over six decades of efforts by our political and other leaders, the March 2020 events have shown that our beloved Guyana is still unhappily polarized, and therefore vulnerable to the machinations of imperialist forces, which are far from dead. History has a puckish way of repeating itself. The trouble is that Mankind seems unable to benefit from the lessons that history has to offer, and Guyana seems to be no different, and to quote prize-winning historian Barbara Touchman in her well-researched publication, ‘The March of Folly’, “A phenomenon noticeable throughout history, regardless of place or period, is the pursuit by governments (I add and political leaders) of policies contrary to their own interests…” Mankind, it seems, makes a poorer performance of government than of almost any other human activity. In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgement acting on experience, commonsense and available information is less operative and more frustrated than it should be.
Why do holders of high office so often act contrary to the way reason points, and enlightened self-interest suggests? Why does intelligent mental process seem so often not to function? For now, I wish to allude to statements made by two prominent members of our Portuguese Community; persons I once regarded as credible Guyanese and friends. In my tribute on Portuguese Arrival Day, I singled out Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimiento and the Gouveias of Lodge, who, of course, would have included Captain Gerry Gouveia. Recent statements by these two friends of mine have been cause for worry and disbelief. ‘Chris’ said that the elections have been rigged; judging from the tone of his letter, he is suggesting that APNU/AFC is trying to rig the elections.
This is absurd, untrue and unfortunate. My friend, ‘Kit’, has been in the political hustings for nearly as long as I have, and should know that you don’t make statements of that kind without credible evidence. As I noted earlier, my contact with ordinary folks and a worrying situation is that there is a developing perception that we have not lost the old Portuguese disdain for certain ordinary folks. You must remember the ‘Angel Gabriel Riots’; under pressure, blacks turned against the Portuguese shopkeepers in Georgetown. Similar provocation and discrimination led to the ‘Cent Bread Riots’, which started around the Stabroek Market. We must be very careful not to expose our deep-seated prejudices. Where were the Gouveias and the Nascimentos when the ‘Coalition’, led by the PNC, complained about a bloated list? Not a squeak from these gentlemen. The truth of the matter is that this whole contention about the 2020 Election is born out of the use of a bloated list, which allowed a certain type of manipulation of Election Day.
Recent investigations show that in certain areas, the PPP received votes greater than those on the Voters’ List (indications of high-class rigging). Yet, nary a word from Kit. When Opposition members, including Mr. Yearwood, a burly Portuguese-local white, assaulted a small-built Afro-Guyanese female, not a word of condemnation. It is that some folks believe they are still part of an elite. Is it the same philosophy that led to the Rupununi Uprising in 1969, when the Melvilles and the Harts, the local Portuguese-whites group said that they were not prepared to be ruled by the likes of Burnham, hence the ‘Uprising’, where Afro-Guyanese policemen were shot and killed. This letter seeks not to ignite, but to remind others that we should be a ‘Bridge over troubled waters’, remembering our troubled history.
The advice to my friends is to deal with facts and evidence, and to know that perceptions still exist among certain folks when we said ‘Massa day done.” I end by saying when we celebrated Portuguese Arrival Month, I lauded the many Portuguese who made a solid contribution. My own personal experience with many Portuguese is one of love and mutual respect. For the records, I refer to the likes of John Fernandes (Honest John), his son, Chris; John Gabriel Joaquin; Carl D’Aguiar, Mackenzie businessman; Eugene Francis Correia, after whom the Ogle Airport is named; Joseph De Barros (Uncle Joe of Howes Street, Charlestown); Joe Vieira (Houston Estate); Dr. Jose Da Silva; Peter Stanislaus D’Aguiar; and a host of others who contributed to the wholesomeness of our society. Let us not have them turn in their graves.
Regards,
Hamilton Green
