People who change the world

Dec 23, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I want to share with you some stories of people who change the world.
First, who can forget the picture of an unknown Chinese man blocking a tank in protest.
He has become a global symbol of freedom and defiance, immortalized in photos, television shows, posters and T-shirts.
But three decades after the Chinese Army crushed demonstrations centered on Tiananmen Square, “Tank Man” — the person who boldly confronted a convoy of tanks barrelling down a Beijing avenue — is as much a mystery as ever.
Tank Man was photographed on June 5, 1989 in the immediate aftermath of a deadly government campaign to clear Tiananmen Square of protesters.
Second, who can forget these lyrics from the Rapper 2Pac. “It’s just me against the world. Nothin’ to lose. It’s just me against the world, baby. I got nothin’ to lose, it’s just me against the world. Stuck in the game. Me against the world, baby.”
Third, there was the story of a military veteran who set himself on fire near the Georgia State Capitol while “wearing a vest lined with fireworks and flammable devices” to protest the Veterans Affairs system. Officials identified the man as John Michael Watts, he was “disgruntled” with the VA system.
Fourth, there was the story of the Arab spring uprisings. The Arab spring was triggered in Tunisia when Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire.
Here is what was reported. Manoubia Bouazizi has grown used to the idea that her son Mohamed no longer belongs to her but to the Arab world.
In the streets near where she lives on the outskirts of Tunis, she is stopped by people who recognise her, who have heard she is the mother of the market trader who set himself on fire in protest against an authoritarian regime, who kick-started the Jasmine revolution, and so the Arab spring.
Editor, I can see a parallel between these stories and what Glenn Lall is doing in Guyana. Mr. Lall is one of a few who are fighting against the giant oil companies. He is laying it all out to get the oil companies to change the bad oil contracts.
He is the nation’s “Tank man.” He is boldly confronting the oil companies. Like 2Pac, it’s Glenn Lall against the oil companies. He has nothing to lose. He is angry with the opposition and government officials for refusing to fight against the oil companies.
Like Mohamed Bouaziz, Mr. Lall was a market vendor so he can identify with Mohamed. Like Mohamed, Mr. Lall is protesting against an authoritarian regime and maybe hoping to kick-start Guyana’s revolution.
Editor, he has become a national symbol of freedom, defiance and a pariah of the oil companies, opposition and government.
He is willing to fight for the Guyanese people until he takes his last breath.
Editor, put differently, Glenn Lall is a man fighting against the giant oil companies, the odds and the world.

Observer

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