The time for Corbin and Trotman to act and offer political leadership is now!

Oct 15, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
October 12 marked another year in the Western calendar that resulted in 400 years of African slavery. Columbus’ journey in 1492 was not a discovery of a ‘New World’ already occupied by Amerindians.
His ‘New World’ visit set in place the pilfering and dehumanization of the rich continent of Africa and Africans.
This is a time for sombre introspection and analysis. There is a sustained and systematic effort by the government and their allies to revert the sacrifices made by our ancestors. The practices of these violators are unjust and inhuman.
Within the last three centuries Africans have made significant progress. Progress has come with many giving their lives, sweat and tears to advance the fight against slavery and colonialism and advance the cause for political and economic determination.
There are many sung and un-sung heroes who made their marks on our liberation and empowerment.
White abolitions, Cuffy, Damon and Quamina fought the valiant fight to end slavery. The village movement pioneers, entrepreneurs and scholars took the advancement to another level. Critchlow, Burnham, Nicholson, Hoyte took it steps forward. The wheel is now in Corbin’s and Trotman’s hands, who put the vehicle in the park gear, abandon it and are stalling our advancement!
By law slavery is abolished and independence the system. The government likes people, particularly Africans, to think of Guyana as a democracy and the marginalised treatment they receive are the norms in any democracy.
This deception is foisted in the hope that people are ignorant, will continue to ‘believe’ and not resist the injustices meted out to them. With the death of Hoyte, the PPP has become bolder.
It is wrong and unwise to ignore the underbelly of a rising anguish. Inherently it is man’s desire to be free, happy and prosperous. For many these are not givens but have to be fought for and protected.
It is evidently clear Robert Corbin and Raphael Trotman through their complacency, incompetence or satisfied hobnobbing with the PPP elites are ignoring the dire conditions of their people.
They are doing so, forgetting that their rise to leadership and status is due to the authority entrusted to them by the masses.
No one envies their fancy duty-free vehicles, salaries and allowances gotten by our tax dollars. People expect these men will use the benefits of our tax dollars to advance our interests.
We are upset, and rightly so, that these men are misusing their power and our money to see the continuation of our marginalisation.
On the other hand, leaders like Ronald Waddell, Oliver Hinckson, Hamilton Green, Lincoln Lewis, Mark Benschop, Eric Phillips and Rickford Burke, known for speaking out and fighting for our empowerment, are assassinated, threatened, insulted and jailed.
In the face of these challenges Trotman and Corbin offer lukewarm criticisms, support injustices or remain silent. Were I to score their performance I’ll rate them “F” and add the comment “worst leaders ever.”
When our cultural organisations like ACDA speak on our behalf, others rush to tell us they are talking nonsense. These people do not care that we leave their organisations and culture alone.
Injustices have flood these shores like the unpredictable high tide caused mayhem.
The desire by people to be free, happy and prosperous cannot be contained if we do not fix our porous and ill-equipped political system.
The time for Corbin and Trotman to act and offer political leadership is now!
Osafo Modibo

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