Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Clinton Urling has suddenly discovered neutrality
Dear Editor,
I tell all my friends that if at a personal level, they do not accept homosexuality then they should let it remain in that sphere. In the public domain, they have to speak out against discrimination against homosexuality and homophobia. And the reason is simply – people’s rights must be respected in society
It is within that context, I am revolted when I hear Guyanese forming organizations and telling the press that their group plan to be neutral. I read where Clinton Urling told the Stabroek News his organization will be neutral? Is life, people’s rights, the protection of the poor and powerless, laws, the constitution, democracy etc a game of cricket where the umpires must be neutral?
When laws are broken by policemen and ruling politicians, there is no time or space to seek shelter in the asininity of neutrality because it does not exist. What exists is the reality of life’s brutalities and the unjustness of society and those who cherish freedom and want to live in a free land have to speak out. Hiding behind a non-existence concept is not only comical but downright sickening
Who or what is neutral in the context of how power is exercised in today’s Guyana. Is Urling telling me he is neutral when a minority government tells the Parliament that it must pass the Bills it wants but it cannot give presidential assent to the Bills the Parliament (not the opposition Parliament but the Parliament of the Republic) approved?
If Urling and his group say that in that context they are neutral then Urling cannot distinguish between right and wrong. I once read a statement where the great 20th century philosopher Herbert Marcuse said he cannot enter into a debate where his other debaters do not know the difference between right and wrong. What contribution can Urling and his group make to this country if they cannot distinguish between right and wrong?
Urling is no fool. He knew perfectly well that when he uttered his mask of neutrality he was giving himself protection to stay quiet from the things that are ravishing this society. But how interesting is the timing of Urling’s confession and embrace of neutrality. Maybe Urling should run out of his soup shop in Tiger By and yell, “Eureka! Eureka!
This means he discovered neutrality. He didn’t know about neutrality when he was the President of the Chamber of Commerce (I wonder at their statutory meeting what type of soup the chamber members drink – split peas soup with cow heel or soup of the Champion mixed with De Donald ingredient?) At the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Urling came out swinging with his partialities. He wanted the opposition to sign the anti-laundering bill and he argued for support for Amaila. Before that, he was Jagdeo’s altar boy selling Jagdeo’s low carbon strategy.
All of a sudden, the altar boy is out of the chamber he has found neutrality. But of course you can hit Urling’s neutrality discovery on another level. How can he be neutral when he chose to name his group, Blue Caps? Why not the Colourless Caps? That would be more of an example of neutrality because he will not be accused of being partial to a particular colour. Suppose you don’t like blue?
Finally, I read that Urling and his group will be holding seminars for young people in leadership. What is the concept of leadership? Well I will add my two cents. Ohio University in the eighties invented a schema of leadership qualities. I used this schema to teach my UG students of which Clinton was one, of what leadership qualities are. Clinton did that particular course with me so he would know that integrity of character is one of the most priceless items in the collection of leadership qualities. Let’s hope the teachers at those seminars and the sponsors themselves embody integrity of character? I guess they do!
Frederick Kissoon
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