An example of self-destructive Guyanese

Aug 22, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor;
Within the past weeks there were two occurrences capturing my attention that again expose the docility and sad societal state in which we live.
The first has to do with the recent visit of a Caribbean artiste. I think the name is Alkaline. I don’t know much about the guy.
The most I know of anything with that name is related to batteries. An “alkaline battery” is a type of battery than depends on the reaction between zinc and magnesium oxide.
However, from all accounts, the artiste is one whom I understand produces pulsating songs with “brow-raising” profanities and derogatory comments directed at females in a liberal and unrestrained manner. That visiting “battery” received unfettered promotion and media coverage in Guyana (smh).
This is a country that struggles with cultural identity and other social ills, particularly those that fuel dysfunctional lifestyles, condescension towards females and poison the psyche of the mentally weak. Who invited Alkaline? Was he necessary at this juncture on our national agenda?
Why was Alkaline given such a heroic welcome to Guyana? Do we as a people not recognize what is unwholesome for our mental and social upliftment or have we completely lost our morals and commonsense? What was troubling was, with the exception of Pastor Gideon, no other person of significant social standing seemed to have had any objection nor the will to make it known that the artiste’s presence in Guyana was counterproductive.
So Alkaline came, fans spent their “broke-pocket” dollars to feel nice I suppose, to hear and gyrate to not-so-nice songs as the moral poisoning continued! The second mind boggling event relates to a mini-bus incident. An elderly friend of mine opted to travel by minibus instead of using his own transportation a few days ago.
While being transported, the bus driver allegedly drove through a traffic light when it was still signaling red. My friend said he upbraided the driver, citing the risk of a collision with intersecting traffic and potential peril to the passengers on board. This was met with stout and abusive rebuttal by the driver.
My friend requested to be put off the bus. Upon disembarking, he refused to pay the fare since his journey was incomplete. The driver allegedly armed himself with a cutlass and physically assaulted my friend.
Then the shocker came!! No other passenger uttered a word of protest. Ironically too, a lady who came out of the bus to allow my friend to disembark subsequently rejoined the bus at the driver’s demand.
The passengers on that minibus were prepared to continue their journey at risk of lives and limbs, undoubtedly driven by a mad man.
The passengers were contented to witness the assault of their fellow passenger who sought to represent the interest of all aboard. This is reflective of the sad state and level of docility possessing Guyanese.
More horrifying was the police intervention. A report was made to the Brickdam police station by my friend. The police there related that the driver was wanted for another traffic offence as well. A message was then relayed to (an incorrect) sister station outside of designated station district where the incident occurred.
This error was later realized a few nights ago when we had an opportunity to apprehend the errant driver but the message could not be confirmed.
Eventually, the effort was lost and that driver continues his plying. I suppose the madness will not end until he jumps another intersecting traffic signal and ‘blam’, blood flows on the streets again.
Under British rule, we sang “God save the Queen”. Now God needs to save us from “docility”!
Oretta Cutting

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