Commissioned monuments, the significance and purpose

May 28, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The Indian Arrival Monument, commissioned, designed, built and the installation is at a point of significance to the City Of Georgetown and the People of Indian origin of Guyana, I would say, well done thus far.
Always, there are the foreseen good and are the principal guides for such objectives supposing, unforeseen or misguided results do manifest are there enough concerns? Pondering, how many of us of Indian descent have ever intentionally visit or had the opportunity to see this significant piece of Master Art Work?
On Easter Monday, after I have spent most of a rainy morning trying to get my kite up at the # 63 Beach, not being embarrassed to admit yes, I was also waiting for the crowd. On this, my first Easter visit to the beaches and as the warm rays of the sun welcome the colourful kites and flyers of all those dimensions I felt pleasure. I began my return trip to GT, with the breeze in my face and the great anticipation of enjoying the other parts of the countryside, local and foreign kites big and small I have witnessed the spirit of togetherness my heart runneth over with joy.
However, in mind was this burning desire to fulfill my other reason for this my Berbice trip, to visit a man who I have met once briefly. Finding the house of a man that is bigger than life and who, have that proof in similarity was easy but I had my doubts about my oddly visit. A knock at the door my desire was fulfilled and as if I was expected, I was invited in. Complimenting his humbleness a person of extra ordinary abilities, spiritual dedications and sincerity of world recognition, I was elated in his presence.
Immediately came to mind was my long conversation with another such achieved man (non Guyanese), more so I was like a listener and confidant with one, Mr. Danny Glover, their sincerity of words and emotional dispositions give me the feelings of Royalty. I have met with other individuality some of stature, money, prominence, grace, disgrace and with our late celebrity Mr. Paul O’Hara Persaud, entertainers and Holy personalities, but I did not cater for this inner experience.
In the presence of this special Guyanese who will be immortal and idolized long, after he is gone I was at a state never as before in my life. To explain my experience with Mr. Phillip Moore would be short changed if I try to put in words, but I would say, I was privileged. Not being on the biased side because I am from the same county and for a period attended the same primary school, Auchlyne where he did before me, taught by one of his cousins and sat on the same bench with his nephew, no, he makes us all proud for the man he is.
We may not intentionally but one example, the I.C.T. commissioned Artwork ‘SS Whitby’, the design of Mr. Balkishen should be displayed and highlighted with pride, a reminder of the significance not only for the Indian Diaspora but for all that came to these shores. The cost of $250, 000.00 plus the cheap Chinese string of lights that garland it and the horrible pole attached observed on my visit, shout not deter the significance or if the swine and pearl around its neck in the mud thought slip by, sorry.
Quality and appreciation do come at a price not saying we have to bring quality to a lower level to accommodate acceptance but it happens. This particular piece of Art its history, significance and place of erection should be better accommodating, improved for visiting tours or just treated with more respect not only highlighted on the public airways in the month of May.
Yes, the Square of the Revolution, do you know that Mr. Phillip Moore’s Monument ‘CUFFY’ is an unfinished work and not by his doing and not because of oversight or lesser appreciation. To whatever serve our or an Individual purpose at any given time anything or anyone can be sacrificed. Mr. Phillip Moore may not have this piece of his world known work completed the way he meant and purpose for it to (unification) but I hope he will take solace knowing that the world recognises his magnificent mastery.
Mr. Editor, We are a young Nation I have been told but I am puzzled as to what we consider as growth and how that is happening. We have a tendency to defend wrong and lesser in the ability to understand the basics of humanity as courtesy and the simple rules of the road seemingly not for us.
Judging from what we read the privileged make up the rules/laws as so seems fit for their purposes and others at the cost of the State defend them and that do not exclude police officers etc, etc, etc.
Many have the best of intentions for our country and a speedy recovery hoping that, those who can think do so first before attached words to their tongues. If a fool keeps his mouth shut he can be mistakenly call wise, so say my granma. The sooner We accept our shortcomings, heed to Mr. Martin’s music … Freddy , Misir, Jim Jones, CLICO, Champion of the Earth, garbage and all the water etc, all is we own; accept the need and seek help where applicable so we can move on as a people, one people for progress.
Some of us  use the Cuffy Monument as a garbage bin, others a place of sacred thoughts and some for political togetherness; the next time you are there remember Mr. Phillip Moore a simple but great man living in a village called Lancaster on the Corentyne.
Likewise the Indian Arrival Monument on the west end of the Merriman’s Mall and Camp Street, think and reflect on our history. We are aware of the junkies and garbage that lay, side by side and the unwelcome view, sad for the St. Roses High School student but that is we, some are taught to accept.
Hilton Chan

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