Dear Editor,
February is a month in whichAfrican-Guyanese must do some proud reflection. On 23rd February 1763, Cuffy led the first major and significant revolt against oppression. The success of this revolution was that it forced the plantation owners to acknowledge that Africans refused to be treated as anything less than equals. A strong message was sent of the possessed resilience and determination of Africans to struggle for what they believed in. To Cuffy’s legacy let us remember his journey and tactics, his courage and ingenuity to stand up for what he believed in. Let us embrace the tactic, ingenuity and courage of this great leader, our national hero.
On the 20th February 1923, Linden F.S. Burnham was born. He went on to become a distinguished scholar, revered orator and won coveted awards in Europe . Yes, he made mistakes, and so too did many great leaders. As the first Prime Minister and President with executive responsibilities, this son of the soil gave Guyana lots to be proud of. Some of his notable contributions to Guyana and the wider society development are: universal free education from nursery to university; nationalisation, e.g. sugar and bauxite; building the major roadways and highways in Essequibo, George-town , Berbice and the interiors; Religious national holidays; National Insurance Scheme (NIS); Guyana Agricultural & Industrial Bank (GAIBANK), Mortgage Finance, Bank of Guyana , and Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB); the cooperative movement as a national policy; Indepen-dence and Republican status. Timehri airport; the bridging of the Demerara River (Demerara Harbour Bridge); the Linden Soesdyke High-way; Turkeyen University & Cyril Potter College campuses; cutting of the road from Rockstone to Brazil and from Ituni to Kwakwani; Film and Culture Centres; television. Tapacuma Irrigation Project Scheme (TIPS). Mahaica Mahaicony Abrary Scheme (MMA); Greco stereo and radio; Bicycle and Tapir factories; Rice silos and cassava mills; National flag, patriotic songs, anthem and emblems; Carifesta, Caricom; Palm oil industry; Value added to local products; Pharmaceuticals; Major housing schemes which included infrastructure and support services; Ruimveldt Industrial site; Cliff Anderson Sports Hall; Army, militia and national service. Improved yield and quality of rice; Walter Roth Museum; Mashramani and Mass games. National Park; Emphasis on sports, culture, music and arts.
In the United States of America February is designated African History Month.
Some of the notable contributions and achievements of Africans to the new world are: Benjamin Banneker, the “sable genius” played a major role in designing the city of Washington DC , USA . Jan Ernest Matzeliger invented the machine that mass produced shoes. Granville Woods revolutionised the electrical concepts.
Elijay Mc Coy revolutionised the whole concept of lubrication. Lewis H Latimer invented an electric lamp and a carbon filament for light bulbs (1881/1882), improved the Maxim gun and was the draftsman who drew the plan (the moving and vital parts) for the telephone. George Washington Carver revolutionised the USA economy with his value added to peanuts, soybean, pecan and sweet potatoes. Dr. Percy Julian used the soybean to treat inflammatory arthritis, successfully developed synthetic cortisone, found a way to mass produce the drug physostigmine, used to treat glaucoma, and perfected the mass production of sex hormones which led the way to birth control pills. Jazz, reggae, soul, soca, calypso and hip-hop. Jesse Owens, world record holder in jumps. Granville T. Wood modernised the railroad. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performed the first successful open heart surgery in 1893. Dr. Charles Richard Drew set up the first blood bank. Thomas L Jennings invented a dry cleaning process (1821). Madame C. J Walker invented many hair care and beauty products. Frederick M. Jones invented a self-starting gas engine and a series of devices for movie projectors and more importantly, he invented the first automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks (1935). Garrett A. Morgan invented a gas mask (patented 1914) that was used to protect soldiers from chlorine fumes during World War I and received a patent (1923) for a traffic signal that featured automated STOP and GO signs.
Daily, attempts are made to control the minds of Africans, to make Africans feel that they are worthless and achieved nothing in the slave revolts, nor in the world, nor the PNC 50 years, nor in their lives.
While on paper we are free, the battle continues to enslave/chain our minds and make us feel we are nobodies. Resist it. Persons will tell you Burnham was evil and did nothing good for society. They will tell you Cuffy lost the rebellion. Ask them: “What would you have done differently?” Wait for the answers then say: “Burnham and Cuffy have made their mark on history. But since you take such pride in condemning them, you go now and make your mark on history!” Assure them that until such time, they will be seen as members of the oppressive movement designed to destroy legacies they’re incapable of, cannot match or better.
My people; let us be very proud of our foreparents, our sisters and brothers. As we pull up to those traffic lights, salute the achievement of our ancestors. As we walk this land in our shoes, salute the achievement of our mass production. As we walk this land in our bare feet salute our achievement of laying the nation’s foundation. Proudly recall our struggles in taming the mangrove swamps; digging the canals and building the roads and seawalls; building the rice and sugar industries; planting the provisions and legumes, rearing poultry and meat; teaching, nursing, and local entrepreneurship, as in the village movement, and other aspects of development. With heads held high in pride and dignity, throw off the shackles of mental enslavement they are trying to inflict on us. By no means are we a worthless and useless race. Look our detractors, enemies and their agents in their eyes and say: “Your malicious efforts to deny our contributions and kill our spirits will not succeed. You have benefited from our struggles and contributions to society. We are a mighty race.”
Proudly use our electricity, telephones and knowledge to spread the good news around. Make a pledge today that for the rest of our lives we will tell these beautiful stories over and over and over again to our children, our children’s children, our neighbours and everyone we meet in the streets. Keep this letter as testimony in the process of overcoming. Tell these stories until they become part of our Redemption Song.
Yours faithfully,
Quacy O. Softleigh
