Dear Editor,
THANK you for allowing me space in the newspaper to offer congratulations to academic, journalist and human rights activist, Freddie Kissoon, for completing 36 years as a newspaper columnist,.
There has been a central theme that dominates Kissoon’s writing and activism: He  mostly agitates  for and defends the rights of all Guyanese to enjoy the manifestations of democracy such as freedom of expression, the right to share the resources of the country and be treated fairly regardless of religion,  class, social standing, race and more.

Kissoon may be considered controversial by many, but his activism is characterised by his ebullient, aggressive style and yes, some will be offended.  Some letter writers like Prescott Mann have also referred to his changing positions on people and issues.  That may be so because Kissoon, as projected in his writings, consider people like himself, as not perfect, thus they,  ( people who are the subjects of his writings, especially politicians), are also capable of making both positive  and negative transformations. This he acknowledges, which is a testimony to the dynamic thinking which he possesses.  This is a great attribute.

Kissoon has had falloust with many people because of the positions they took during the five months elections
Impasse in which there were brazen attempts to rig same. It is understandable that Kissoon would be angry, because he doesn’t want Guyana to fall under another period reminiscent of the Burnham era and maybe that is why Kissoon keeps reminding Guyanese of the terrible time in our history because of its significance to the eroding of democracy.

People like Mann, who criticise Kissoon, fail to castigate those who remained silent during those five months. These are the people whom Kissoon has angst against because they are now shouting on the rooftops about the lack of democracy when they participated or remained silent during this turbulent period when democracy was almost stolen.

Congratulations again Kissoon and may you continue to shine the light for those like the young mother who sells water to help her family, to the workers who have to take toilet paper to work, to those who want to hijack our democracy and more.
Sincerely,
Mahindra Persaud