I never studied Gramsci, but learnt enough to know right from wrong

Jun 02, 2019 Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis, Features / Columnists

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I never studied Gramsci and the other sophisticated philosophers like Plato or Aristotle. I know in the eyes of some this may reflect a limitation on learning. I have respect for those who have achieved higher academic heights, know and understand the contribution by these men to knowledge, and can reference these philosophers in meaningful dialogue.
I also learnt that higher academic achievement requires a higher level of intellectual integrity. The notion of integrity finds favour with me because this value was instilled in me as a child by my parents, extended family, and in Sunday School. I also learnt from my trade union brothers and sisters, who came before me, about the value of human rights and social justice.
Whereas I have not studied Gramsci I have studied the UN Declarations and ILO conventions, the tenets of rights and social justice. I have also taken time to study the Guyana Constitution, relevant laws governing Labour and Industrial Relations and the constitution of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) of which I am among the leading figures.
I am fortunate to marry a woman who possesses more sophisticated learning than I did and who shares my passion for social justice, equality, the rule of law and basic integrity. I am surrounded by genuine friends with integrity, people who are committed to good, basic values. I am a humble trade unionist, a grassroots man, well-schooled in integrity. When I got married to my wife many wondered about her and this trade unionist who is was always fighting some issue. She saw in me precious qualities that she admired and believed in.
My life’s work is not about shutting people up or stilling their voices. I fight to enshrine people’s freedoms not take them away, and freedom of speech is a fundamental element of the trade union movement. Anyone seeking to make claims to the contrary does not understand the fundamentals of trade unionism or is seeking willfully to cast negativity on the movement that I am a part of.
Not only is there no need to still voices when one can respond to debunk the nonsense emanating therefrom, how does one proceed to still voices over which one has no control over or the medium through which they spew?
I have no interest in silencing those with whom I work, much less those who are not genuine trade unionists speaking to trade union issues of which their comments betray a lack of basic knowledge, even as they possess the ability to wax eloquently on Gramsci with an ease that would not come as quickly to me.
For me it is simple, I listen carefully as my opponents speak. I learnt from my father that a liar will discredit himself the more he speaks. I value those learnings, for it is easy to expose these lies and let them embarrass themselves into silence.
In some instances, the media used may no longer see the value for entertaining a prolific liar and bickering. The liar is forced to seek new avenues to launch attacks but will suffer the same fate of public exposure of dishonesty every time. Unfortunately, we live in a society where integrity is a scarce value.
The University of Guyana has had its share of demonstrated behaviours that speak to the inconsistency of truth in this highest institution of learning. It worries me, and society should worry not only for the past exposures of our children to the academic lawlessness of some in regard to fundamental integrity, but also the continued influence that public lies create when they are left unchallenged, creating another generation of youth who are tainted by the orchestrated behaviour, and led astray by someone whom they are supposed to trust and have confidence in.
When someone is willing to sacrifice the common good for personal interests, the question must be asked ‘whose interest is being served,’ as UG is once again placed in unnecessary turmoil. Why would the university workers believe such environment serves their best purpose? He who is instigating the turmoil cares not about the institution, the workers, the students, neither the common good.
The same can be said for not lending solidarity to workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated in their darkest moment of need. This has been a matter of national sovereignty and the transgressing of the rights of Guyanese workers and communities surrounding the bauxite company. Responding to the call for patriotism would have demonstrated that such takes precedence over any issue that divides us as a nation. It was and remains not about me.
We seem to be further losing the moral fibre, as a unit, required to safeguard our nationhood, the desire to hold true to our motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” We need to hold all and sundry accountable to universal truth, to high standards of integrity and morality. None should be excused from scrutiny in their public doings, for left unchecked those who seek to influence and shape our reality, how we think and behave, would wreak havoc in this nation.
We are being held hostage by and have become victims to the practice of Joseph Goebbels, where a lie repeated often enough becomes truth. Countering this means fact-checking has to become an important tool in engagement.
We must be unafraid and unapologetic in speaking truth to power and calling the liars out, for if they care not about integrity, those who value theirs must not let them prevail. When we allow lies and turmoil to take hold, even if dressed in the name of some sophisticated philosopher(s), society is being done an injustice.

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