Analysing the relevance of “The West on Trial” to the 21st century

Nov 06, 2011 News

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–    An Award-winning essay by Sonnel David-Longe

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre houses a large archival collection of papers, documents, photograph, audio and videotapes, related to Dr. Jagan’s long enduring involvement in the political life of Guyana.
The Centre recently held an Essay Competition. The topic was: “Analyse the relevance of “The West on Trial” to the 21st century. The following is the text of the winning entry submitted by Sonnel David-Longe.

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“If a nation does not know its past it can never confront and change the challenges of the present, neither can it shape and conceive its future.”
After the most informative, interesting and introspective reading assignment I ever challenged myself to, I saw it fitting to commence my essay in similar style to Dr. Jagan, a most distinguished son of the soil and truly exemplary President, who used to herald the onset of each chapter in his timeless novel with a quotation. I describe it as timeless and I see the question of its relevance as interesting, as such a work never loses value and relevance.

Dr. Jagan’s book finds its central theme in the struggle of leaders in times past to establish the foundation of today’s independent Guyana. Much ink may be used trying to encapsulate the relevance of this text, but, as stated in my opening quote, any account of the past of individuals or groups will always be relevant in understanding those factors that influenced the present state and as a way to mould the vision for the future.
Dr. Jagan introduces himself and relates the incidences surrounding his birth with a rich exposition on his family and Hindu culture. It is important to note that because of his genuine love to serve his nation in the political arena, his life and Guyana’s fight for freedom from imperialism are inextricably linked. His past, which was by no means divorced from the lifestyle of many Guyanese, presents him as the typical Guyanese and destroys any preconceived notion of superiority in wealth or title in his upbringing.
Whilst bridging the gap between himself and all Guyanese, he by no means falls away from the values and morals we see embedded in him in his formative years which he will later prove, particularly in his time in the USA. Although of common upbringing he was of noble upbringing. The determination and diligence, particularly of his father surely left an indelible print on his mind as evidenced in his account in the first chapter. Although not of extraordinary birth or lineage, he immediately established himself as a young radical and tactful youth who personified the value of education in taking himself beyond mere hope to realization. In doing this, he moves beyond the ordinary and sets himself as the perfect example of the knowing the past, understanding the present and using it to shape his desired route to the future.
The relevance of ‘The West on Trial’, to the 21st Century finds expression in manifold ways and is particularly instructive as Guyana embraces an upward trajectory to development. Its relevance spreads its wings beyond our land and extends regionally and even globally. Even as Guyana champions the cause of environmental conservation in the global sphere, it is a reiteration of the romanticism of our nation’s natural beauty that Dr. Jagan proudly inserts in the earlier ruminations about El Dorado in my favourite chapter, entitled “My people’s history”.
In this chapter, the reader learns of the struggling and changing of hands of the colony between the French, Dutch and British and the eventual British triumph. Slavery is usually described in a general sense, Dr. Jagan gave a detailed account of the Guyanese experience with slavery. He described plantation life, resistance (with mention of popular figures such as Cuffy and Damon) all the way up to Apprenticeship and Indenturedship.
“All good and bounty”, a phrase used to describe Guyana by Shakespeare and quoted in the book, may indeed be the description of our nation. “The West on Trial” finds relevance as it creates in any reader, an awareness of the struggle of our predecessors. However, it goes a step further to cause the reader to cultivate an appreciation and even pride from the struggle. This calls to remembrance the lyrics of our national anthem that remind us that “we are born of their sacrifice; heirs of their pains and ours is the glory their eyes did not see…” with the aforementioned knowledge, Guyanese are compelled to employ those tools that yielded the greatest success for our predecessors, whilst sidestepping the mistakes they made. In so doing, we rejoice in their victories and seek to progress therefrom.
The credibility and relevance of the book stands tall due this fact, that is, a Guyanese tracing his footprints and that of our nation, leaving an objective and unadulterated account by a distinguished Guyanese for the benefit of all Guyanese. This account possesses an enviable command of facts, names and dates in our history.
Particularly relevant to Guyana’s youth is Dr. Jagan’s chapter on his time in the USA which was an overdose of the encouragement needed. Immediately one notes that the struggle for employment is not a new one but also that one must humble himself before he is exalted and make use of the seemingly menial opportunities available.
As a Queen’s College graduate myself, I find it heartening to see his humility as he took on the necessary job as a dishwasher and tailor to make his way through school. It also shows the value of being well rounded, as he was not merely gifted in academics only. More importantly, instead of despising the humbling means of reaching his goals, he proved the truth that hard work brings success.
Whilst many a Guyanese youth (particularly males) embrace crime and idling due to the absence of jobs that pay in large sums being available, the former President was tested even in this area and showed all the value of work. We also saw the birth of his love for politics as he reads during the time he is ill with tuberculosis.
Dr. Jagan took special care to illuminate the crippling effect of certain vices such as racism, disunity, greed and lack of vision. We see even from his youth, he despised this senseless evil as he refused to be treated with preference during his time in the USA. One instance of this is seen where he refused to be given a place in a hotel where a young African American woman was denied her reservation just before him being offered her place. By parity of reasoning, these vices ought to be frowned upon and avoided in our path to development.
The political struggle was the main thrust of most of his work. We see his dental practice taking the background as his political career went only forward from the time he became the youngest member of the council, up to his death in 1997. We see imperialism having a stranglehold on Guyana’s economy from the time of the sugar revolution and the fight against the ‘sugar-coated’ government and the foreign investors. He spared no mention of the heavy taxing of workers and their dehumanization. Herein, we find a firsthand account of the incident in the recall of the Enmore Martyrs.
Dr. Jagan seemed to have a justified indignation as he could not countenance discrimination and exploitation without joining the fight against it or, more often, starting the fight against it. In fact, the foundation of the People’s Progressive Party for which he was a founding father, drew its strength from the exploited sugar workers. His gradual entrance into full time politics always found him being ably supported by his wife, whom he had initially married without parental consent. She joined him in the arena and shone there later becoming the first female President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
The lesson to all Guyanese and politicians that it is important not to allow yourself to be manipulated by external forces who act in their own interests and to your detriment is always in the forefront of his political battles.  Dr. Jagan refused to be the political puppet of Britain so that after he won the pre-independence election, the tactics employed by our colonial mother were found wanting on the balances of morality and honourable political deportment.
The racial diversity of our nation must always be seen as a cause for celebration and a bond of strength and not a weapon of mass destruction waiting to be deployed against Guyanese. The attempts to keep Dr. Jagan out of office were mainly through use of racism. As this tied his hands, Britain’s accusation and labeling him as a communist pulled the strings as he was therefore to be seen as a threat to Guyana and the region at large.
One is therefore not surprised that US intervention came, as this nation has long been known as ‘the land of the free’, as name that the writer questions just after his time spent there. The two powerful states imposed proportional representation to bar our former President from office, as proposition which he questioned by simply asking why it was not practiced in the imposing states.
After these and many other ‘low blows’ from our imperial masters, Dr. Jagan was able to serve our nation well during his tenure in office from 1992 until his death in 1997. During this time I had the privilege of meeting this leader so that his book only affirmed his genuine humble character which I experienced firsthand.
It is my belief that as an independent nation, the struggle against external manipulation lives on as a threat ever lurking above our heads. As such, particularly with globalization and trade liberalization, Guyana, must strive to let its interests be respected at the global level. Moreover, national development must be embraced so that we place ourselves within those nations which hold great bargaining power. Our determined stand on climate change shows innovation in using our resources to ensure our interests are met, however, there is still much that can be done.
As we come to appreciate the struggles of our ancestors, we must use their successes as a standard by which we measure our development and seek to take our nation to the next tier on the international hierarchal structure. Also, “The West on Trial” serves as a reminder to every Guyanese that it is possible to achieve irrespective of his or her past. The past experiences are to be used as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. It is also glaring to readers that each Guyanese has a role to play in national development in whatever his or her sphere of influence and work. This book is relevant and will never cease to be relevant in the 21st century and even as Guyana grows closer to great development as one people, one nation and with one destiny.

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