Focus on the character of the person

Oct 16, 2019 Letters

---

DEAR EDITOR,

It is known that I grew up in the southern wards of the City, Charlestown/Albouystown/La Penitence and my earliest experience in my father’s drugstore and our home allowed me to mix and meddle with a good mixture of the so-called six races of Guyana.
We got on admirably and lovingly.
I recall as a child, the only tensions I knew of was between Hindus and Muslims. This was attributable to what was taking place in British India.
No doubt, a fall-out from the tragic events in British India, which led to violence and the separation of the earliest India into Muslims and Hindu sectors.
Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948 by a Hindu extremist, Nathuram Godse because Mohandas Gandhi sought to unite Christians, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.
Human History is full of examples where for whatever reason some folks are averse to unity and tolerance.
My earliest life experience had no understanding of Indian, African competition, rivalry or antagonism.
When during the mid-50s, certain persons introduced ‘ApanJaat’ which heralded racial rivalry and distrust. It was a tragic debilitating disease, which Guyana must cure if we are to heal and benefit from our God given natural resources.
With the above as a back-drop, my regard for Dr. David Hinds was enhanced after reading his article in Monday, October 14, 2019 in another newspaper titled ‘The Coalition has allowed for a re-emergence of political plurality among African Guyanese.”
I recommend as compulsory reading, this contribution, which in general terms I support.
Next, Sir. Ronald Sanders and sections of the British Media made the point that Elections at the end of the day is about winning.
Whatever may be the characteristics and peculiarities 0f a democracy, the way National Elections are conducted, remains vital.
We had Elections before Universal Adult Suffrage conducted by the British. Think about it; these elections were not fair because as descendants of slaves and indentured labourers, many had to be qualify to enjoy the right to vote. (status or ownership of property, etc.).
Every other Election after 1953, had had disputes and concerns, for example: – after the 1961 Elections, the PNC filed six (6) Election petitions in the High Court because the Party felt there were instances of a lack of fair-play.
This brings me to the instructive article in the newspaper’s Editorial Column, dealing with GECOM Shenanigans.
I wish to refer to the section, which refers to International Observers.
Let me bring to the public and in particular the Parties contesting Elections of March 2, 2020.
Every Observer Team will arrive in Guyana, with pre-conceived ideas and for the want of a kinder term, their own prejudices and predilections.
I have been an Observer and in some cases, an active participant in Guyana Elections for almost seven decades.
Observers come here and elsewhere to observe and comment.
I have noted that these Observers have tended to direct their attention and energies to certain areas.
They all know that the philosophical position of the Carter Centre in 1992 was ‘regime change.’
I am prepared with my knowledge of Guyana to give free counsel to GECOM; simply put, GECOM must ensure that these Observers are not directed to observe only in certain areas.
To use the words of Stabthe newspaper, we want no Shenanigans or the words our now departed Leader ‘no fancy footworks.’
Editor, Journalists, in every part of the world have their own biases.
Because the upcoming Elections are so important, I ask Editors and those who control the Media to focus on the character of the person who is to be our Helmsman or Captain of the Ship of State for the next period.
We have seen in several parts of Guyana the emergence of a generation of vipers and I quote……..Matthew 12: 34-37
“A generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Everywhere, whether it be the family unit, the community, the organization or the country, people tend to be inspired or conditioned by its leadership.
As March 2, 2020 approaches, Guyanese of every race, colour, creed or age must decide who we want as our Helmsman or Captain.
Someone with the history of cheating and no family wholesomeness and scant respect for truth and making unattainable promises or choosing a person who has had good family history, moral integrity and reasonableness of promises.
Finally, Guyanese can be found in the Caribbean, parts of Europe and North America. They must not endure the embarrassment of a Statesman and a First Lady that will not make them proud to be Guyanese.

Hamilton Green

---

---