Peeping Tom’s explanation on this issue was shallow with little substance

Dec 14, 2013 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Regarding Peeping Tom’s column titled ‘On Not Being Invited to Mandela’s Funeral Service’ dated December 13, 2013.
I found the author’s explanation to be shallow with little substance regarding the purpose of attending Mr. Mandela’s funeral service.
The person wrote only about the logistics of Mr. Ramotar attending the funeral service of Mr. Mandela, without the leader of the main opposition, but misses an important point about funerals and what Mandela spent most of his life to create, a better world for South Africans, including all of us.
Peeping Tom saw only the physical aspects of the funeral service and not what Guyana could have gained from Mandela’s contribution to us.
I believe funerals are mostly for the living, so that we can be reminded about the contributions of the deceased that might improve our lives for a better world.
As the writer must undoubtedly be aware, there are similarities of race challenges in both Guyana and South Africa. Since independence, the race problems continue to tear Guyana apart. Through Mandela’s efforts, a solution was found in South Africa, resulting in tremendous healing for the people and progressive growth, especially for the underprivileged.
Could the resolve in South Africa help Guyana in any way? In my opinion, and I believe the opinion of thousands, the answer is YES. All Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Granger have to do is begin with a small portion of what Mandela did for forgiveness, and our beloved Guyana could start the transformation of being another South Africa.
This gesture could be very important to Guyana, where the opposition controls parliament and there is a minority government. We all know how one race of people was treated in a previous Guyana government. This is happening again to the other race. When does it all end?
If Mr. Ramotar and the PPP were not so self-serving and if a welcoming hand was outreached to Mr. Granger to accompany the President to the funeral service – even if Mr. Granger had to pay his own way – a golden opportunity was lost to start the healing process in Guyana, that Mandela stood for, and could have been possible with this mutual purpose of travel.
On the other hand, the perceived selfishness has created a deeper animosity among the races in Guyana and where it ends might destroy the country, like an alcoholic reaching bottom, before generations could make our motto a reality ‘ One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.
Whether Mr. Granger was part of the government delegation or not allowed at the viewing, the purpose of accompanying Mr. Ramotar could have build stronger ties between them, as they reflected on their purpose of visiting South Africa together.
Mr. Granger would have a stronger link to South Africa that might have assisted Mr. Ramotar to better understand the other major race in Guyana, while Mr. Granger might have benefitted the same, if he had accompanied Mr. Ramotar to India.
It is only when we better understand other races and cultures that we are able to work in unison. Global North countries have a way of imposing aid to Global South countries, sometimes without discussion of culture consequences that could be disastrous to those receiving the aid.
Unfortunately, that lost gesture of an invitation to the leader of the opposition that had more to do with the ANC when they formed the government of Guyana, while the PPP did little, might cause long-lasting consequences for all races here.
Similar to South Africa, unless the race problem is resolved in Guyana, the country and her people have little hope for a peaceful self-determination.
In your next column, Peeping Tom, I hope you will address the opportunities lost for the betterment of Guyana, by Mr. Ramotar not inviting Mr. Granger to Mandela’s funeral services.
A conscious patriot
Name and address withheld

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