Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
“Big Brother” often looks out for his own interests
Dear Editor,
In the recent imbroglio over the ABE countries putting out that statement to the President, requesting him to immediately name a date for General and Regional elections, some people saw it as a case of “Big Brother” intervention and that it was quite alright in the circumstances. I would like to deal with this whole question of “Big Brother” intervention and some of its implications.
First of all, we should recognise that “Big Brother” has a brotherly side and a not too brotherly side. In some cases, “Big Brother” may be looking out for you and what’s in your best interest and in other cases “Big Brother” may be looking out for “Big Brother” and what’s in Big Brother’s best interest. Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish between the two, but I have heard it said that ultimately “Big Brother” always does what will benefit “Big Brother”. We must also recognise that the same “Big Brother” that could be benevolent; one day could also be vicious and violent when things are not exactly going Big Brother’s way. Therefore, when we in Guyana calmly submit ourselves to “Big Brother”, we never know whether in the future we will be getting “the carrot or the stick.” But we always have to be on the lookout because “Big Brother” is strong and powerful and we may not always be cuddled and cajoled and the wrath that “Big Brother” is capable of, is not something that we should take lightly.
Maybe, for that reason, the United Nations has taken the general position that countries should not interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. If, we in Guyana want to relax this rule or be flexible with it, it’s really up to us. I would be the first to say that in cases of genocide or torture, “Big Brother” does have a moral obligation to intervene if “Big Brother” so decides, but in all other cases, the people of Guyana have to “paddle their own canoe” and solve their own problems. I am not saying that we can’t have “Big Brother” as an adviser or outside expert, but if “Big Brother” does for us what we should be doing for ourselves, we may have a short term solution for a problem that only Guyanese people can fix themselves. And, if we allow outsiders to solve our internal problems, then we would have learned nothing from the exercise and would still not be liberated and injustice will continue. It’s easy for “Big Brother” to say to you, “Man, I can fix that . It’s easy. I can remove that dictator for you”, but no, “Big Brother” must restrain himself, which I know is very hard for “Big Brother” to do.
Franz Fanon once said, “Violence is a cleansing force. It frees the native of his (or her) inferiority complex and restores his (or her) self -respect”. I think that Fanon went too far in advocating violence, but his essential message is that if people want to be truly liberated, they have to do it for themselves; no well-intentioned, benevolent power can do it for us. And on this subject of outsiders helping us, why can’t we also solicit the help of countries that are essentially like us, but are faring better and have greater stability. Countries in the region as well as outside. Countries that are not too far away. Wouldn’t such an approach be more relevant to what we are trying to achieve in Guyana?
Respectfully,
Rudy Vyfhuis
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