Lewis errs, Freddie very anti-colonial

Jan 01, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Lincoln Lewis’s attack on Freddie Kissoon (KN Dec 30) that Freddie is “contributing to the recolonization of Guyana” is absolutely absurd. Freddie is contributing to decolonization of minds and behaviour. Lewis undermines his own reputation, his contributions to the political discourse and the labour movement in belittling Freddie’s enormous contributions to the democratic discourse of the nation. Lewis was known for his progressive positions during the 1980s against Burnhamism, but workers say he is in role reversal in recent years, driven by hate and race. It is not the Lewis I had admired.
I had my ‘run ins’ with Freddie but never disrespected him and never doubted his patriotism and his commitment to fight injustice and racism. Lewis errs. Freddie is not a ‘recolonizer.’ If anything, Freddie is contributing to the liberation of Guyanese minds, much more so than Lewis himself. In addition to rejecting his description of Freddie, I would not agree with several platitudes that Lewis used to describe himself. Self-praises are no praise. Certainly, most Guyanese do not think Lewis was a supporter of peace and democracy over the last two years. Lewis was known to be articulate and balanced in holding government accountable. But his response to Freddie was very rambling, unfocused, inarticulate, incoherent, personal, and biased. It is not the Lewis that workers praised during the early years of his trade unionism.
Freddie is one of the finest writers in the country; he is frank, pointed, brave, courageous, articulate, analytical, critical, spot on. He is the most read columnist. There is no other columnist or writer like him in the country, certainly not me, although I may have written hundreds more columns than him. He has made an indelible impact on the political landscape through his writings. Almost everyone who picks KN, reads Freddie. KN is the most read newspaper. Brave, courageous. He speaks his mind. He critiques government and opposition. He is very anti-colonial. He assailed the white man for their abusive, imperialist rule. But he also excoriated Blacks, Indians, and Orientals (Chinese) for abusing their people in some cases worse than the White man. Burnham can be called a recolonizer for practicing the very things he condemned the white man for. But certainly not Freddie.
There is nothing false about what Freddie penned about the attempted rigging after March 2 and his analysis of the Patterson appointment as Chair of GECOM, the government behaviour following the no confidence motion, and the response following the Chief Justice and CCJ rulings against the regime. I should note that unlike other academics or activists, Freddie spoke out against fraud. Lewis, David Hinds, Ogunseye, and Melissa Ifill defended the election rigging and urged the government to resist international pressure to accept defeat of a democratic free and fair election. Three APNU commissioners in GECOM supported the rigging. Emanuel Cummings, Paloma Mohamed Martin, Nigel Westmaas, Clive Thomas, Karen D’Souza, Bonita Harris, Omowale, Maurice Odle, Kwayana, among others were silent on the rigging. Gandhi said silence in the face of evil is contributing to evil. It is like you are committing the evil acts yourselves. No amount of defence can exonerate you. But Freddie is exonerated like some of us who spoke out against fraud. Yes, we are victimized for speaking out. But we have a clear conscience of mind.
Media photos and reports showed Lewis menacingly threatening a woman and others to dislodge them from what he claimed to be his ancestral land in West Berbice. It came across as ungentlemanly conduct. That is not the Lewis I know of the 1980s.
Freddie is a democrat with more integrity than some of his accusers or attackers. Freddie has been very consistent in his pro-democracy posturing. He has not been in organization of hold union leadership where he can be challenged for corruption or lack of democracy. Thus, one can’t accuse Freddie of lack of accountability, racketeering, misappropriation of funds, one-man rule, not holding democratic elections, abusing perks of labour unions, accepting gifts of vehicles from management whether they be Rolls Royce or Toyota Cressida, among other abusive or corrupt practices.
As a cane cutter commented to me, Freddie is no ‘dutty dog.’ He is not a massive disappointment like many others in public life or who defend election rigging. He is compassionate and caring for workers. He is loved everywhere for his courageous position against exploitation and for championing the poor.
Lewis, my brother, your attack on Freddie came across as very bitter and personal, and I urge you to self-reflect. You have so much to offer in trade unionism and to the discussions on a way forward regarding our ethnic problems. Workers want you return to your past progressive position. Lewis, you must not only explore black history and identity, but open yourself to understanding and relating to the struggle and rights of people of other ethnicities.
There is no need for this tirade against Freddie who has a democratic right to question public figures and union leaders. Workers I spoke with say Lewis should take positions like that of his predecessor Joseph Pollydore and be supportive of what is right not what favours his race. Let us all commit to struggle for the improvement of the lives of the working class.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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