Some observations on Guyana

Jun 10, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,

It could be said that I should not be commenting about anything Guyanese, because I have deserted my land of birth.

Although I tend to agree with anyone who makes these comments, I would like to say that my decision was made some time after reaching the age of retirement, and only because of my concern for my children’s educational and other advancement.

Thus said, I would appreciate it if you will allow the posting of this missive in your newspaper which bears comments on some observations that I have made.

1. Guyana is a tropical country where even under the shade the temperature raises to more than 80° F. I have seen recent articles where females have been rudely turned away from doing business and visiting public places and offices because of their attire — wearing sleeveless dresses or tops.

This rule seems to be asinine. Men are forced to work in offices, which are sometimes without proper air conditioning, wearing European style clothing. Women feel compelled to wear stockings and panty hoses.

What has happened to the wearing of shirt-jacks, a more comfortable and decent mode of dress which was formally adopted? Even the European countries, Japan and those in North America have relaxed the rule on the wearing of suits with neck ties in offices.

In the Guyana Chronicle of May 16 2009, under the caption “Prime Minister hosts reception for ACCP members at State House”, there is a picture depicting him greeting guests.

Standing next to him is a female wearing a tight fitting dress with her shoulders and arms bared. Why this person was not barred from attending this reception, or is there a different standard for official functions?

Why the rigidity at public places such as the Post Office, the Public Library etc.? I surely will not support vulgarity, but someone decently clad, covering the right places should not be disallowed from entering state offices as visitors or for business purposes.

2. My second comment is about the gun culture in Guyana. I know that it would be said that there is crime throughout the Caribbean and other countries, therefore citizens have to bear arms to protect themselves.

My contention is that there are too many licensed gun holders in Guyana. In most instances in which gun crimes are committed, it is mentioned that the licensed holder of a gun permit was robbed of his weapon.

3. The vehicular accidents in Guyana are rising again with devastating effect. I do think that the police are doing their best to curb the occurrences of vehicular accidents; therefore it is also the duty of road users to act responsibly.

My wonder is whether some of the operators had ever done any proper training and passed through the proper channels, which would have allowed them to operate vehicles on the road. Something has to be done to stop the carnage. I always thought that there were laws to curb drunken driving.

4. Following is a quotation from an article captioned “Reflections of a long-memoried woman” published in the Sunday Chronicle of May 31, 2009.

This was a reflection as it relates to speeches made by both Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham on independence day 1966:- “Dr Jagan, in reinforcing the importance of national unity and admonishing people against the evils of racism, constantly spoke about “defending the people’s vital interest” and achieving racial integration and unity of the working class.

In his theme of unity and racial harmony, he would warn that racism is the greatest curse of our land, adding that anyone who spreads racial propaganda must be severely dealt with, since such a person is an enemy to himself and his country”.

I wonder how many Guyanese of all ethnicity living in and out of Guyana are practicing this wish of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

All persons who call themselves Guyanese have to realise that we are all in the same boat, and therefore have to paddle harmoniously.

Gary Alexander

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Some observations on Guyana

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