AN EXCEPTION TO THE GENERAL RULE

Feb 18, 2015 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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A general rule of this column is that it does not usually respond to criticisms. It expresses a view, thereby adding to the diversity of commentaries within the society.
With the objective of encouraging the free expression of viewpoints, it refuses to be drawn into counter arguments. If this column were to respond to its critics, they may be discouraged to offer alternative viewpoints. They may be fearful that their arguments can be assailed and discredited in such responses. This would defeat the objective of encouraging a variety of viewpoints.  As such, it is not the general policy of this column to respond to any criticism made of its daily commentaries.
There are, of course, exceptions to this general rule. One of these exceptions is when an argument made within the Peeping Tom column is either misrepresented or misunderstood.
In the instance of the response in yesterday’s edition by Ameena Gafoor, a rejoinder is necessary, since the letter by Mrs. Gafoor is reflective of either a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding of the gravamen of the Peeping Tom column of February 3, which had urged that the Guyana Prize be disbanded.
I was not at all suggesting that the awarding of a prize as a means of supporting the literary arts is bad. Indeed I support the premise that the literary arts in any society should be supported. However such arts form part of and affirm the bourgeoisie culture within the superstructure of society. The point I was making was that Guyana Prize for Literature was not serving the objectives for which it was established.
Those objectives were, firstly, to give recognition to Guyanese writers and, secondly, to encourage good creative writing. The Guyana Prize for Literature has achieved neither. As such, it needs to be scrapped, and the resources devoted to the Prize should be reallocated to other means of supporting the literary arts. This was the gravamen of my article.
It was not intended to argue that a Prize in itself is bad. It was intended to argue that since the Guyana Prize has not had good returns in terms of achieving its objectives, then the monies devoted to the Prize would be better utilized by allocating them towards other means of supporting the literary arts.
One such means of support would be to give local writers greater access to be published. I am aware of The Arts Journal. And I have seen that journal has publicly invited local writers to contribute articles. But one journal, regardless of the breath of the genres it publishes, can never be sufficient in any society.
There is a need for other journals, including perhaps, the revival of the one journal whose excellence of writing has never been matched. That journal is the Kyk-Over-Al. With all due respect to The Arts Journal, comparing it to Kyk-Over-Al is like comparing cheese to chalk.
There is a need for all kinds of local journals, including academic journals. But I am aware that the cost of producing a journal in Guyana is expensive and that the market is small. I am also aware of the limited disposable income that people are prepared to dedicate towards buying literary works and journals.  Thus, my suggestion was for one journal that would encompass a variety of works, including some academic pieces.
I see no reason why there should not be a single or even just a few affordable journals published, covering a broad spectrum of literary genres, rather than numerous journals which people cannot afford to all buy.
I appreciate the argument that some journals would not be keen on the idea of government support because the producers and editors would wish to preserve their independence. I think it is a misplaced argument, because most journals receive some support from the business community, and no one complains that this affects the independence of these works from bourgeois influence.
I was not suggesting that the government subsidize any journal, but merely that it provides support, perhaps in the form of seed capital for the start-up or revival of a journal.
It is however instructive to note that the Stabroek News was established with the support of an American organization that has been consistently accused of being supportive of promoting western interests and in destabilizing certain governments. Yet no one complains that the Stabroek News’ editorial content is compromised by the hand that first nurtured it.
And regardless of the criticisms made of the Caribbean Press, its numerous publications, including the republishing of previously printed works, has been a refreshing addition to the local literary landscape. But I understand where Ameena is coming from.

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