A YOUNG man suggested I write this story after the looting and burning which took place following the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge last month. He was upset about this because he felt that it distracted from the peaceful protests and vigils being held around the country at the same time. The fact that it was mostly young men involved in the pillaging disturbed him even more.

“Ah want yuh write about de young people who wukin hard every day fuh mek a livin,” he declared. The idea resonated with me because I work close to John Fernandes wharf on Water Street three days a week and I come into frequent contact with the young men who work there.

They work hard, both night and day offloading vessels bringing everything from cement to foodstuff and they also load ships leaving these shores

“Sometimes we wait whole day an we doan get wuk,” one worker declared, explaining that for many of them, work was not guaranteed.

“De foreman does decide who gun get wuk,” his friend added, also claiming that some foremen had their favourites.

There are occasions when some are told to go home and return the following day, while others may arrive early and not get to work until later in the day.

“Dey talkin as if all a we been pun de streets burnin and lootin,” another, who is the father of two, commented, adding, “Nuff a we out hey gat children fuh look after, we ain deh pun stupidness.”

However, an older member of the group, with whom I was chatting, voiced what many also felt, when he said, “Dem youths vex bad ova dis ting…an dey frustrated. All ova de worl de same ting does happen, not only hey. People does vent dey feelings when something bad happen, by tekkin to de streets.”

And his comment brought to mind the riots, looting and burning which take place in the U.S. after incidents involving the police, particularly when they result in the death of a black person. Perhaps the best-known of these cases was the killing of George Floyd, a black man, choked to death by a police officer. Riots occurred in several states and lasted days, leaving a trail of destruction

Indeed, emotions ran high after the tragic death of this young girl and the failure of the powers-that-be to provide answers. And the subject could be heard being discussed throughout the city, and no doubt the country, as members of the public voiced their opinions on the ‘whys and wherefores’ surrounding this girl’s death.

It is a tragedy that has shaken the nation and reverberated in the Caribbean and around the world.

“We feel it,” said a young worker, clearly agitated, ” but we ain dey out deh brukkin in people place an burnin,” we doin we wuk.”

All of those standing around listening, nodded in agreement, some shaking their heads sadly, while anger was reflected on the faces of others.

“We really want de youths dem know dat dey got fuh wuk fuh wuh dey want..wuk deh all ova de place right now, cause building goin on an dey can get wuk pun dem construction sites,” said one who seemed to be the youngest in the group gathered around me.

“An right now skilled people gettin good wuk,” an older member of the group pointed out, telling me that he was an electrician.

After a while, everyone went their separate ways and as I watched them disperse, I not only decided to write this story but smiled with admiration at these hard-working young men.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.