Guyanese should not allow these dishonest narratives to take hold

Apr 29, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,
Kindly permit me space in order to reply to a letter from one Reginald Sookram that appeared in your Kaieteur News letter section of 4/28/18 online edition under the title ‘Open Letter.’
In his letter, Mr. Sookram attempted to convey to the readers that he was appealing to the ghost of the late L.F.S. Burnham, who, in the author’s imagination, was embodiment of evil and regression in the post-independence Guyana.
Editor, employing the name ‘Burnham’ comes with the attendant peculiarities that are by no means unique to Guyana. However, where and when that name appears, caution and discernment become necessary when that name is applied to our current domestic realities. Simply put, what is the aim or goal of the author specific to the immediate or future realities?
One did not have to go deeper into the letter in order to understand and appreciate the designs of the author of the referenced letter. In his opening paragraph, he made mention of the death of Burnham, and, seemingly, the birth of a new dawn in Guyana. To the casual or unsuspecting reader, would have believed that the Guyana of post Burnham, was a land pregnant with progress, freedoms, economic security and democracy.
Today, Sookram warns that after a period of sustained good governance and prosperity, that ghost lurks in the current corridors of power. Editor, indeed, given the prevailing leadership deficit and incompetence the current leadership, citizens have enough reason for pause. However, despite clever, but, sloppy devices by the author and others, Guyanese cannot allow for dishonest and creative narratives to take hold against the backdrop of what obtained for governance of the last two decades.
If the citizens were to accept the narratives emanating from the likes of Sookram, then, collectively, Guyana and Guyanese that the ghost of ‘Burnham’ gave birth to the criminalized narco-State that Guyana became. If we are to accept such narratives, then, that ghost was again responsible for the beauty that was the $200 million US investment in the Skeldon monument, thus, impoverishing the lives of those who are employed in the sugar belt. If Sookram is so desirous, he should also locate the ghost with Roger Khan and the documented features contained in the infamous New York Federal court criminal trial.
The letter writer and others have every right to their opinions and narratives. However, as they run around with their ghost stories in bottom houses, and, in print and social media, facts and post Burnham realities might just prove their ‘Waterloo.’

Leroy Nelson

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