Sam Hinds helped to eradicate poverty of Afro Guyanese and others

Jan 12, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

In another media, PNC strongman Hammie Green, queried Mr. Sam Hinds, former President and Prime Minister, to explain what he (Hinds) did “to lift up Afro-Guyanese”. I am sure Hinds will respond with a list of items he delivered to the nation that benefited all Guyanese irrespective of race. When Hinds delivered goods and services, he did not think of one ‘race’, he thought of Guyana and of all races. Sam Hinds did much for Africans that could hardly be surpassed by any African leader. Hinds was a true Guyanese nationalist and patriot. He was not an ethno-nationalist like Green, Burnham, Hoyte, and other African leaders.

After he became PM in October 1992, Hinds helped to rescue the national economy after two decades of economic malaise and deep distress. The turn around of the economy subsequent to 1992 benefited Africans and other ethnic groups tremendously. While PNC leaders, including Green, hurled Blacks and the nation into destitution, Hinds helped to pull Africans out of poverty. He transformed their lives reducing poverty from 80% under the PNC, to under 40% at the end of the first term of the PPP government. He eliminated starvation that was prevalent prior to 1992; the country once again became self sufficient in food production under the Jagan/Hinds leadership.

Clive Thomas concluded in a study that it was under the PPP government that Sam Hinds served (October 1992 to May 2015) that Africans made the greatest economic strides. In contrast, under the PNC government, (December 1964 to October 1992), of which Green was a Minister almost all of that time, the standard of living of Africans and other Guyanese drastically declined to a fifth of what it was when Jagan was ousted from office in December 1964. It was Jagan, Hinds, Janet, Jagdeo, and Ramotar Presidencies that improved the lives of Africans and the rest of the nation.
Hinds also taught Africans to respect democratic governance and accept the outcome of elections, something Green and PNC leaders opposed. Hinds is no electoral criminal, no murderer, no thug, and no racist unlike several other African leaders who rigged elections and who ordered the murder of Africans like Rodney, Koama, and Dublin, and who sent thugs to terrorize opponents. Prominent individuals of other ethnic groups, Portuguese and Indians were also killed by Burnham’s thugs. Green should know about the killings and thuggery. Hinds condemned electoral fraud; other African leaders are yet to condemn fraud. And obviously, that angers Green who has been linked to electoral fraud since the 1950s. Was he also linked to political murders? Hinds is a role model, an exemplar for Africans on such qualities as character, integrity, honesty, and professionalism, and good governance.

Green asked Hinds whether he is qualified to speak on behalf of Africans. The same question can be directed to Green – can he speak on behalf of Afro-Guyanese? Hinds is far more qualified because of his life of morality and decency. Hinds has credibility; can anyone say the same for Green?
Green says one needs to understand what happened in Guyana from the 1960s as a consequence of the Cold War. Does the Cold War justify rigging of elections and murdering of political opponents? Does it justify apartheid or racist or minority rule in Guyana? How can the White man be condemned for racist rule in South Africa and Rhodesia and at the same time Green justifies rigging and racism in Guyana because of the Cold War?
Green asked what Hinds did for Afro-Guyanese? The same question can be posed to Green who held the second highest position in the country, Prime Minister, though neither he nor the PNC was ever elected to office (on its own). What productive measures did Green put in place for Africans?
Green claimed that Hinds did not speak out when what he claims that hundreds of Africans were killed in Guyana. What did he do when these alleged killings took place? (He was Mayor).
Green accused Hinds of telling Africans to forget the history of slavery in response to others who sought reparations from the White man. That is not correct. What Hinds said was, it would be almost impossible to get reparations from the White Man, and therefore, Africans should not depend or wait on reparations in order to rebuild their lives. Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, and Amerindians are not tying their future to reparations; they have rebuilt their lives wherever they are found. Also, most Africans have moved on from slavery and don’t condition their future on reparations.
The nation has some pertinent questions for Green that can help to bring closure to some unsolved crimes. Who shot Dr. Joshua Ramsammy? Who killed Shirley Field Ridley? Why was she cremated so quickly? Was it to eliminate evidence to cover up the murder and the murderer? Who killed Vincent Teekah? Who killed Walter Rodney? Who planned the failed kidnapping of Dr. Clive Thomas? Who put sugar and sand in the gas tank of Rupert Roopnarine and other WPA activists? Who rigged elections between 1966 and 1992? What was his relationship with Rabbi Washington, head of the notorious House of Israel terrorist group? Why did Green urge Hoyte not to deport Rabbi? Green is asking a prominent African what he did for fellow Africans. Is it okay for Indians to ask their Indian political leaders what they did for them?

Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bisram

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