Desmond Muffatt – Linden’s forgotten hero

May 06, 2010 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
Quite recently popular and controversial PPP/C activist/councilor Ian Halls on his Television programme “Under the Microscope”, while commenting on Black History Month (February) highlighted and expressed his concern of how reluctant we are to recognize and pay respect to our local heroes within our midst.
These are the people who have made valuable contribution to the community, especially when they are ordinary working class individuals with no reputable status. At the same time we hypocritically pay homage to notable personalities of international repute.
I have to endorse Halls’ point of view since we do behave that way. Too often through pettiness and envy we refuse to recognise persons for who they are and for their worth and bestow upon them what they rightfully deserve.
This, to my mind, is an unpardonable sin. That aside, I noted that Halls’ comment was made on the exact date in February that a once prominent Trade Union Activist in the Linden Community was born, and whom bauxite workers once rallied around. It further made me reflect how often the realization of genuine people around us escape our attention is simply glossed over or we are blind to, and so do not acknowledge.
The Linden personality I’m talking about is Desmond Moffatt, a person I’ve known and had working relation with for many, many years through the Trade Union Movement, the Organisation of Working People (OWP) and other social and political activities.
Moffatt is no more active in any way, in any movement, and lives a quiet life in the community. He can be seen every now and then making trips to the market and elsewhere, but with the exception of a few adults and former bauxite workers, he is not much recognized by a large section of the community-as seem to be the case with some elderly folks.
But Moffatt played a commanding role in this community; his contribution has been grand, like a worker/community champion, his once radical, revolutionary and progressive stance helped to inspire and motivate the labour movement in Mackenzie/Linden.
Bold and fearless, he led from the front, stood-up against both Company and Government administrations, challenged any senior personality who dared to stand in the way of workers’ rights. Elder folks still remember and talk about a strike situation whereby Moffatt and colleagues made a noose on the big tree in Cuffy Square to crucify the GMWU President, Winston Verbeek, who was due to address workers; he (Verbeek) was accused of “selling out”.
And though he did these things with aplomb and daring, his decency would not permit him to become disrespectful to anyone. He once addressed former President Forbes Burnham in a manner that angered Burnham and caused him to slam his phone down on him. When Burnham was forced to come to the union hall (GMWU) on Wismar Street during a strike/workers meeting and questioned by Moffatt and workers over slamming down his phone, Burnham responded, “Comrades I put the phone down heavily.”
We the younger ones looked to him for example and took courage. Moffatt to us —both young and old- was like a beacon of hope; not just a teacher, but a headmaster. At Union meetings he was the one we waited on to challenge, oppose, question, explain, interpret, debate, guide and finally state the next move or direction we should take.
No meeting with union officials/executives could have been complete without his input; he simply was in command and the workers delighted in him, our bread and butter issue he made no fun with.
This now quiet Lindener stands tall among the few who laid the foundation for militancy.
He is one of the forerunners of the many gains and benefits that workers and the community received then — the Shopping Plaza comes to mind; this complex was as a result of union/company negotiations and agreement, and remains the workers/union and community building to date, even though at the moment they have no say in its functions.
But the character Moffatt as I know him, would not be the least happy with me heaping praises upon him, having all the credits, without mentioning the positive contributions of other militant, brave and steadfast individuals within the union/work force rank and file who were also champions of working class solidarity: Cedric Smith; Maurice Noble; Cedric Austin; -Frank Abel; Leroy Jardim; Ian Halls; Brensford Seals; Malcolm Thompson; Horace Williams; Ivlaw Benjamin (Reds); Ashley Luke; Ali Majeed; Andy NeKinnon; Cush; Todd; Afrani; Django; the Johnson Borthers; Sullivan; Campton Hall; Simon “Chicken without feathers”; “General” Randolph Cato; “Powers” Ewart Griffith and so many, many more brave and bold soldiers who tied a knot and dared to retreat,
And forever in the midst of all this was Desmond Moffatt. But since this letter is dedicated in his honour, and though very belatedly on his birthday, I have no other choice than to blow his trumpet.
In many ways he qualified as a role model, who unfortunately many of us youngsters did not emulate. Discipline was then and still is his hallmark. He lived by a number of strict rules: he worked strictly 40 hours, refusing overtime; would be at work on time and never quit before time; he stood up for principle–no wheel and deal. His word was his bond, not one to talk with forked tongue, very forthright. In a word he lived what he preached. His moral values were strong and his ego never got the better of him; he never pushed himself for a position, always he would say “is what the people/workers want, not me”.
I submit that the man is of a rare type which to find now would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. I know of times when he became bitter and frustrated by either the inactions or lack of positive action by workers and even the community as a whole in defence of their own wellbeing.
And though many times he must have missed the mark; since as humans we all have our imperfections, and have come short, whatever his failings, they can be forgiven.
His positives outweigh his negatives. His discipline once caused me some uneasiness. I recalled that he lent me a book “Ten days that shook the world” by John Reid, and told me he never mind how long I took, just care it. But I was careless and the back cover got damaged. I was so worried and reluctant to return it in that condition, that I searched in vain for a replacement.
When I finally summoned the courage to return it, I was pleasantly surprised that he accepted it without even a murmur or fuss. I’ve tried to roll back the years by giving an account on someone alive and well in our community who I have known for many, many moons and deserved to be honoured. This is no empty flattery.
A simple but serious and courageous man, never known for parties, “limes” and late nights, whose interests were reading; philosophy, history, stories/tales, poetry; physical fitness, sports, expressive and appealing calypsos that address serious social issues and of course, trade unionism and workers struggle, was Desmond Moffatt.
So Editor, as Halls has noted, we do have outstanding people in our midst that we should seriously consider for special commendation and awards. We have personalities with beautiful stories, e.g; the late Hugh Harris of ‘Harris Drug Store’ regarded by many as the community doctor; Cecil Jones-dramatist/theatre and indefatigable community activist, the late Edward “Screw” Richmond–outstanding sports personality; Desmond Hector-800m athlete; the first Guyanese Lindener to make it to the Olympics by doing his training only in the hills at Wismar and on MSC ground: Terrence (Halley) Alli—Boxing and Ivelaw “Reds” Benjamin-Radical worker/fighter.
It is my wish that by this letter/tribute we can put in place a formula by which we can single out and honour our outstanding personalities.
Frank Fyffe

---

---