Thoughts on Forbes Burnham’s Legacy

Aug 08, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor;
Grateful if you published the following letter in your letters column. This month marks the 31st anniversary of the death of Comrade Linden Forbes Samson Burnham, the salutation being that by which I am sure he would prefer to be remembered.
In commemoration of L.F.S Burnham’s life and contribution to Guyana, it would be remiss of me to not first acknowledge that Burnham’s brilliance as an orator had earned him prominence as a well-respected statesman in the international arena.
He dedicated his life to advancing Guyana’s agenda for social and economic development and forging one nation for our six peoples by initiating the process of crafting the security and equality of our races into law.
Burnham’s efforts were unfortunately caught up in the international politics of capitalism and socialism of the time, the oil crisis of the 70’s, the racial tensions that resulted from his split with the Peoples Progressive Party, and state of economic thinking that prevailed.
Much has transpired since. The world has advanced through technology and globalization, and the paths to economic and social development are much clearer.
Advanced countries are now much more involved in advancing the cause of development in the countries to which they provide aid, and it is becoming a virtual impossibility for politicians to escape the network of technology and financial tracking systems for stamping out corruption.
How could Burnham best be remembered? I would proffer that Forbes Burnham could be best remembered if we deliver on the legacy of his vision for our country. Burnham would have first wanted us to overcome our ignorance and fears of each other’s religious beliefs and recognize the oneness of the Supreme Being who recreated us and the love.
He expected that of us of each other. He would have wanted us to put aside our racial and ethnic insecurities, and overcome our stereotypical thinking of each other by actively seeking to understand, appreciate and embrace our diverse cultures.
In this rapidly changing global technological, economic and social environment, Burnham would have wanted us to aggressively adapt and adopt the new technologies, ideas, systems and approaches to economic and social progress.
The solutions to our problems today are now no more a mystery than the transition of day to night. Our history is for instruction. The time is now for the present and the future.
Let us utilize our skills, talents and resources to deliver on Burnham’s dreams for us in this country of ours, our Land of One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
Craig Sylvester

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