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Badges of honour and ranks have their place and use

Jun 20, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I read with interest the letter which dealt with the categorisation of persons described as Very Important Persons (VIPs) written by Conrad Barrow. He proposes that this description be abolished.
I take issue with his contention that his understanding of the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 should lead us to end the categorisation of certain persons as VIPs. If it is the same Conrad Barrow who I know, I have the highest regard for that family, and believe he is well meaning. Second, since I no longer hold high public office. I feel free to disagree with perhaps the well-intentioned sentiments expressed in his letter published in the Stabroek News of 18thJune, 2021. But I believe there is a fundamental flaw in his argument.
Let me refer to the quote from the United States, when he reminds us of the well-known statement that we hold these truths to ‘be self-evident that all men are created equal.’ From early civilisation, society felt compelled to accept the idea that all men are created equal. However, this did not ignore while clinging to the philosophical underpinnings of men being created equal, that it ended there, meaning that it did not address the prowess or achievements thereafter. It was accepted and wisely so that certain persons who excelled either in the military, political, cultural, religious, sporting, academic or intellectual level must be appropriately recognised and honoured.
That is why the appropriate accolades, titles and recognition are given to persons who excel in any of the above categories. If in a society, persons who excel are not recognised, we run the risk of society where mediocrity prevails and there is no incentive to excel. That perhaps, for one reason why for centuries persons have been given titles, etc. It is unacceptable if the Olympic champions who train and excel are not awarded a gold medal and, hence, classified as a VIP. The young boy or girl who applies himself or herself to studies and gains from his/her university high degrees that person should be specially honoured and considered a VIP. In the Security Forces, the General or Commissioner or Chief of Staff wears a uniform with badges of rank setting him apart, and unnecessarily so, above the ordinary recruit. That makes him/her a VIP. And so, we must always honour those who occupy positions of high authority.
Mind you, here I am not entering into the debate that we’ve had throughout history, monarchs and others who have abused their status. I ignore their responsibility to behave in a dignified manner recognising the sanctity of human rights referred to by Conrad Barrow. Mr. Barrow’s argument is not new. Recall, in the height of the Socialist Revolution, at one time, leaders in the East, decided to do away with what some described as the bourgeoisie ‘Badges of Ranks.’ After a few short days of absolute confusion, where no one knew who to salute and who to take and give orders, the utility of ranking and VIPs was swiftly restored. Conrad Barrow’s contention particularly in a society, such as ours, can lead us to forms of anarchism as found in the Dictionary of Philosophy. Be reminded that the Dictionary of Philosophy traces “anarchism as follows, a social philosophy that rejects authoritarian government and maintains that voluntary institutions are best suited to express man’s natural social tendencies.
What I urge my friend Conrad Barrow to advance is that VIPs should recognise the responsibility they carry. As we all know, it did not work and today all of those societies accept and are run on the concept of a pecking order.

Hamilton Green
Elder

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