Burnham versus Rodney; the controversy rages on

Apr 07, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
There is a beautiful song the late Sam Cooke sang that goes: “The song has ended but the melody lingers on….” such is the saga of Walter Rodney whose life was put to an end in June of 1980, but the melody of his passing to this day lingers on and on  just rolling along.  I had intended to say no more on this Walter Rodney episode, I fell short.  Reading in the Stabroek News March 23rd 2016 under the heading “Rodney suspected WPA was compromised” by Henry Jeffrey and the question that he (Jeffrey) said was put to him by late President Desmond Hoyte: “please tell me what was a bright man like Walter Rodney…. Was doing personally collecting a walkie talkie….. from dubious army personnel?”   Does he not have lieutenants?  This is the story that has been propagated as the way he met his death – that he “ordered” and collected an explosive device that exploded on him, a theory WPA activists/supporters have had to deal with ad nauseam.
Henry Jeffrey made an interesting point: “please note that Hoyte did not claim that Rodney did not met his death as a result of actions taken by the state.  In fact what he said made that a distinct possibility”  it seems to me that with the inexorable emerging and unfolding of things it is becoming clearer and easier for all to see beyond any COI that the death of Rodney was well orchestrated along with a dotish formulated theory to go with it, showing him to be the “bright boy” cutting off the very limb of a tree he was sitting on: this is what have been peddled since Friday 13th June, 1980 till now by his detractors.  Now Henry Jeffrey is neither singular nor new in saying “Rodney suspected that WPA was compromised” but was spot-on in admitting that “he found himself in a catch – 22 situation – damned if you do, damned if you don’t.   And the revolutionary leader that he was he did”.   That for me is being straight-up.  And I have to say again, Mr Burnham for his part knowing him to be the man he was, has got to be spinning in his grave in rejection and disapproval of the “two bits” defence his cohorts are showing casing on his behalf, he would have considered it mediocre and demeaning, for he was too egotistic and haughty, too pride- struck to be seen like a coward, hence he would have gone for a more majestic, macho approach; even bold enough to say: “comrades the battle lines were drawn, our party came out victorious”.  Such was the man. Remember, this was the man who said: “We are now in the Roman Amphitheatre the lion and the gladiator can’t both survive one has got to go – comrades the PNC is here to stay”. As said before the President should lead the way on reconciliation/harmony, we have entered a new age, and are supported to be on the road to national healing, starting over, a new dawn, as he said at his inauguration.It is the only way to moving onward and upward, quit running on quick sand what it is it is, no spin required.
Editor, in putting together this letter a story I heard some years ago came rushing in at this exact point as I was writing and which I’m, about to tell, though it doesn’t seem to have a logical connection, yet stands as testimony to those who are often loud, loves to babble, know what has to be done but lack commitment.   It has to do with a female WPA activist and a WPA supporter:  As it is was told, the supporter a machine/electronic technician was in all tears lamenting the death of Rodney while reprimanding the WPA for not seeking his assistance first before going elsewhere to “all kind o’ people”.
Where upon the WPA activist with eyes focus on a printing machine on a shelf in his work shop queried of him: how long has it been since Walter gave that printing machine to you for repair? Taken aback the brother was silent for a moment as he reflected, tears vanished, he stood there tongue-tied.  Then the sister said to him, “it’s about six months now”, and in a firm rebuking voice continued: “that is why he had to deal with “all kind o’ people like Gregory Smith” shop shut!
Editor, one gets tired, fed-up of the piffle and political hog-wash still being indulged in; it doesn’t worth the while, drains you sick, kindly permit me for good measure to restate an uplifting comment – by one  SeelochanBeharry: – a wonderful and fitting piece of encomium which addresses the question about Rodney not having lieutenants and connects with the above mentioned encountered between the technician and the WPA activist.  “To all Guyanese Rodney was a special person who rarely comes along in one’s lifetime.
We were indeed fortunate to have this great son of Guyana leading us with courage in the face of grave personal danger.  He led by example, never asking anyone to do something that he personally would not do.  He earned our respect and love, whether we were from the slums of Albouystown, Tiger Bay, Sugar Estates or Academia…  He made us believe in ourselves and let us know we have something to contribute towards the common good”.  It is more evident today that Walter Rodney was indeed the rainbow in the eyes of the ordinary working man – the everyday people, and the “wind beneath their wings”.
Frank Fyffe

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