Personal differences should not prevent applause of work of opponents

Jun 05, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

Reference is made to retort, “Tacuma Ogunseye responds to Vishnu Bisram” (May 28). I agree with Tacuma that respondents should have a right “to contest/challenge what a person or an organisation says or writes” and that all must be truthful. I am pleased to read that Tacuma has no problem with my commendations of Freddie Kissoon as “iconic, courageous, intellectual…most read.” This is a contradiction to his previously held position about Freddie.
Tacuma sarcastically commented that “Freddie is my new hero, albeit late hero,” presumably referring to the heated exchanges Freddie and I had years ago. Differences with an opponent do not prevent me from recognising and praising his work and contributions towards institutionalisation of democracy in Guyana. It is indisputable that Freddie fought the Burnham/Hoyte dictatorship and what he considered as aspects of authoritarian behaviour of successors. You were a colleague of his at Rodney House on Croal Street and are familiar with his activism. He broke with the coalition to condemn its anti-democratic behaviour. I recognise Freddie for his talent and his fearlessness to speak the truth about the March 2020 electoral fraud, among other issues of national import. This is not to suggest I don’t have disagreement with him. Tacuma’s differences with Freddie should not serve as a wall to recognise his work.
Separately, my differences with Tacuma do not prevent me from recognising and applauding his role against the Burnham/Hoyte dictatorship and in helping to restore democracy in Guyana. Tacuma is right (KN Jun 1) that Africans, albeit a small number, did play a meaningful role opposing Burnham’s racism against Indians. Tacuma, Eusi Kwayana, David Hinds, among others, were steadfast in their opposition to the dictatorship. Rodney and a few Africans, not to mention several Indians and Whites, lost their lives combating Burnhamism, and many were brutalised. Tacuma and David Hinds were jailed for their activism. Regrettably, their great work against Burnham/Hoyte rigging were overshadowed by their reluctance to condemn the barefaced attempt at rigging by Mingo and others in March 2020 and onwards.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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