Drs Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney would recommend Moses

Sep 08, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Several years ago, I was very fortunate to meet Dr Walter Rodney in St Croix, United States Virgin Islands, on one of his visits to the University of the Virgin Islands.

He was there to give a lecture on Caribbean contemporary problems. He was very analytical from a historical perspective, factual and simply great.

I remember very vividly a question he was asked about the struggle for equality in the world and the Caribbean.

The questioner prefaced his question by pointing out that there were those who favoured armed struggle, others who believed in non-violence [street protests, sit-ins etc.] and still others who felt that one had to work within the system to bring about change.

The questioner then solicited the opinion of Dr Rodney, whose answer, as usual, was very thoughtful and precise.

He pointed out that even though he personally did not advocate violence, he understood and accepted that, historically, it took all forms of struggle [including violence] against those who would do their darnedest to prevent others from sharing a piece of the pie.

Those in power would do “whatever it takes to prevent others from threatening their power and privilege…those in power never give up or share their power without a fight.”

Later that day, a close friend [Guyanese] and I invited Dr Rodney to dinner. Over soup [that’s all he had], I asked about the situation in Guyana. His answer, to my mind, was unequivocal: “I am totally against the dictatorship of the Burnham regime.”

Recognising his popular support among Guyanese, we asked about the PPP and Cheddi Jagan.
His answer again was unequivocal: “There is very little one can do without the support and assistance of the PPP and Cheddi…it would be impossible to do anything against Burnham without Cheddi…he commands huge support among Guyanese…we are working closely together to educate the people in order to defeat the PNC dictatorship”.

He pointed out that, at every available opportunity, the PPP and the WPA spoke on the same platform. He also observed that on numerous occasions the PPP was represented by Comrade Moses Nagamootoo, “a stalwart in the PPP.”

My impression from his comments and answers was that he had a lot of respect for Moses, who became the face of the PPP in the struggle with the WPA against the dictatorship of the Burnham regime.

As a result, Moses became popular, respected and well liked by Guyanese of all races, all across the country.
Today, Moses is still one of the most popular and respected grassroots leaders among the members of the PPP and Guyanese in general, and I feel that both Cheddi and Rodney would recommend Moses to lead the country at this juncture.

I have no doubt that if the PPP “big wigs” were to allow for free and transparent election of the presidential candidate, Moses will be elected, and he will unite the country, as Cheddi and Burnham did so many years ago, until the colonial power decided it will not share the pie or power with the masses.

Dr Lionel Sewpershad