Ow, put Guyana first lil bit nah

Aug 10, 2008 Features / Columnists

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The Parrot like many others, likes to hear good news. Notice I didn’t say “all others”, because they have those who revel in hearing bad news.

If the news ain’t bad; they mad. Thankfully insanity ain’t contagious.
Some may argue that the word “bad” is used to describe something good.

In “lil” boy days after “popeing” the cinema, we would boast to the rest of the boys how the “picture” was “bad bad”; “that was a bad picture boy, yuh shoulda see it”. Even today that word is used as an adjective for good.

But for some, the word “bad” seems part of their physical and psychological make up; for them nothing good happens.

To say that this is unfortunate would be repetitive. It’s routine with a focus. It’s like a vector if you remember your secondary school mathematics; it has direction and magnitude.

There is no questioning the direction in which those who scavenge for bad news go, and would receive from their “principals”. Similarly, the magnitude in which they disseminate this is astonishing.

The word unpatriotic readily comes to mind. This I have alluded to in many a squawk, and was recently expounded by Roger during one of his luncheons ah…sorry, press conferences.

He used some strong words to describe the actions of a media house whose primary focus seems to be the promotion of negative news as we approach the homestretch of Carifesta X.

This particular trait of this media house has been so engrained long before a decision was made to host the festival. In fact it has been so for the past sixteen years.

If one were to get his/her information only from this entity, the belief would be that our country is devoid of any semblance of progress and seems to be strangled by crime. Only last year it tried to convince the world that freedom of the press is being muzzled.

This entity in question is never hesitant to publish material that gives a negative impression of Guyana. Crime is given prominence as if it only occurs in Guyana. Which country doesn’t have crime?

Which country regardless of their problems would have “one of its own” engaged in literally dissuading others from attending an event of national pride?

Not that it is a justification, but other countries in this region have far higher levels of crime, to the point where people live in constant fear.

An examination of the situation in Trinidad and Tobago would bear this out. The crime rate there is spiralling out of control. Kidnapping and executions seem routine.

Parts of Jamaica have basically been under siege by criminals. Recently two tourists on their honeymoon were killed by criminals in Antigua.

Seven bodies were found to be executed in the Dominican Republic a few days ago. In the United States, everyday people are robbed and even killed by criminal elements. Do we see entities in these countries publicly telling overseas guests not to visit their land of birth?

I am certain that those who whine about our problems would be the first in line to jump on a plane to enjoy the splendour of other countries with far more serious problems that ours. In other words, they make a mountain out of a mole hill here whilst willing to scale the ranges over there.

Recently this same media house urged tourists to be aware of the risks to be entertained when coming to Guyana for Carifesta X. Roger picked up on this.

It seems clear in a vector-like way, that their aim is to denigrate Guyana as we prepare to host the biggest festival in the region.

Those who follow international news, and who are politically savvy, would be aware of America’s foreign policy; a policy that easily evokes controversy. We saw on American television in the run up to the opening of the Olympics, a series of negative stories regarding China.

Why only last week was an in-depth feature focusing on negative aspects of the life of Mao Tse Tung produced and aired on CBS?

Why all the focus on human rights in China now, when they were awarded the rights to host the Olympics almost seven years ago?

I make this point to illustrate that whatever the Americans do, it’s not without a particular focus, but that’s a different story. China is fast becoming a superpower. I need not say more.

Again, the vector-like approach is seen here similarly with what is exhibited by the media house I am alluding to. Recently it splashed on its front page a photograph of a collapsed bridge in a hinterland village.

Nothing wrong with this, but it’s not unique to this part of the world. A few days ago a main bridge collapsed in Caroni, Trinidad.

One person died, others injured and vehicles trapped. Some time back a bridge collapsed in the United States killing a few people and injuring others. Were these splashed? I don’t think so.

The Parrot has mentioned in previous squawks that there comes a time when, regardless of your conviction, country comes first. Ow man, meaning you guys at that media house, put Guyana first lil bit nah; it ain’t gon hurt.

Everybody glad that people coming for Carifesta X; after all, all would benefit, and when we bask in the glory of it success, we can bask collectively as one; just like the Chinese did after the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

In my opinion, unpatriotic seems an understatement; subversive seems apt. So, it’s not too late to keep the Golden Arrowhead close to heart.

If you still want to be “seen” in the same way then let the word “bad” be used to describe your good stories. The readers would understand. Roger that?
Squawk! Squawk!

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