Democracy and DeMOCKracy

Oct 05, 2008 Features / Columnists

---

The Parrot still has vivid memories of the 1992 election campaign. As a matter of fact, I have memories of many years prior to 1992. As they say here, “I could write a book ’bout it”.

Many memories, many haunting ones which I wish would fade away, make it extremely difficult for them to be captured, especially for younger readers, in one squawk.

Today marks sixteen years since this administration is in office and I take this opportunity to reflect on some aspects prior to the historic October 5 democratic elections which saw the return of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his party to the helm of government.

The high point of that election was the return to democracy after many years of misrule. Before 1992 it was a risk for the ordinary man to articulate an opposing view from what was imposed by the then regime.

Even established political opposition parties found it challenging to circulate their views. Many opposition political leaders and activists were jailed for simply standing up for their rights and that of thousands of others who were being oppressed.

Resisting our colonial masters was one thing; fighting oppression imposed by our people then, was another. The latter cause was to ensure that freedom through democratic norms prevailed.

Those jailed included Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Martin Carter, Janet Jagan, Eusi Kwayana, Eric Gilbert, Morris Herbert, Boysie Ramkarran, Bhola Persaud, Rudy Luck, Rory Westmaas, Fazal Ally and Arnold Rampersaud, who was forced to face three High Court trials. Who can forget the slaying of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand; the Ballot Box Martyrs?

Their lives were snuffed out while trying to ensure that the sacred votes of those who hoped for a better Guyana were not compromised. Even Uncle Freddie was jailed. Those were dark days; days that are etched in our history.

It was a long and hard road to democracy in 1992. Some, who are reading, because of their age, may not be au fait with this aspect of our history. Ask your parents or an uncle or an aunt or a neighbour who may have knowledge of this period.

People were killed and others beaten; some had their homes burnt, others searched and some even had their properties confiscated.

During the pre-1992 period, people were afraid to be publicly associated with the opposition for fear of the things I mentioned. This was only one dimension; there were the economic strangulation of the country and the silencing of the free press.

People who survived those days would recall the banning of basic food items including milk and wheaten flour. Flour was the source of our daily bread.

Rice flour was the unforgiving, undernourished, inappropriate and demeaning substitute. As a consequence, a vast majority of our children were deprived of basic amenities and nutrition.

Long lines were common, lines which people joined in the hope of purchasing what was available. What was even more demoralising was when the elite in the regime and those who were closely associated with them were seen with the said items that were banned.

Those with “strings” were fortunate. As it relates to press freedom, history would show that some were killed whilst fighting for a free press here.

Father Darke immediately comes to mind. Journalists were banished, intimidated and beaten and newsprint prevented from reaching the opposition press; a press that was the voice of those who were fearful of theirs being heard.

Thugs were deployed to disrupt political meetings. On numerous occasions this resulted in activists being physically harmed. These thugs were protected by the ruling regime.

I recall sometime in 1991, a march for democracy through the streets of Georgetown. Sister Rowtie, a Nun, who was part of that event, was physically assaulted and others beaten.

I still recall those unfortunate images of their blood trickling down their faces. It was not the image that many young Guyanese who had hopes and aspirations for a country rich in potential would have wished to see.

As I said, this squawk is insufficient to chronicle those events. There are those who would question as to why those days are still being talked and written about. To them I say, all should be aware of our history.

It may not be pleasant, but it’s there and cannot be changed. History is a great teacher, and some, for political reasons, are doing their utmost to distort it through their writings and commentaries.

In the United States, the days of the civil rights movement are still being remembered, especially when a proud son of that soil, Barack Obama, takes the podium to address massive multiethnic rallies in his quest to become the first African-American President. They, the USA, have indeed come far and so have we.

It has been some forty years since the killing of Martin Luther King Jr.; it has only been sixteen years since the return to democracy here.

This democracy has been threatened and probably, still is. We have seen these attempts through criminal activities which were unleashed on unsuspecting Guyanese.

What was horrifying, and probably still is, is the alleged involvement of some current opposition elements giving support to the perpetrators.

This is indeed unfortunate and should be the impetus, and even more relevant, for us as a people to ensure that our young democracy is nurtured and continues to be strong.

Sometimes our democracy is questioned; questioned by people without the morals to do so. Those who question it should practice it. We have seen the PNCR accusing the government of being undemocratic; an accusation that is “coated” with political motive.

Yet, this same party recently moved to expel an executive member and discipline others who simply were seeking a change of leadership within.

These persons, who served that party over the years and who, through their experience, realised that the party has lost its focus and embarked to infuse change from within.

They are now paying the price for what they thought was an accepted procedure in a democratic society. Of course they were wrong; democracy hasn’t reached Sophia.

What is present is a mockery of it; deMOCKracy. What’s the story again about those who live in glass houses? What’s that story about those who are without sin casting the first stone? You know.
Squawk! Squawk!

---

---