Dear Editor,
To Minister Rohee’s accusation of Tacuma Ogunseye being anti-PPP rule, extremist and preaching Black cultural nationalism, I say “so what!” There is nothing wrong with standing up for rights and justice and standing against those perpetrating acts of misrule and discrimination. Tacuma should not become silent. His is the right to continue to fight against an Indian rule that continues to deny Africans their rights; fight against those Indians now silent and even supportive of the PPP’s policies, when under the PNC these Indians were very militant and resistant. It is Tacuma’s right to fight for Black cultural nationalism in the political space. Pride starts with self. Tacuma’s fight for Black cultural nationalism would allow Blacks equal cultural (economic, social and political) space in a society that constitutionally protects the rights of all its peoples.
Tacuma possesses the attributes and stamina that should make the marginalised proud of him!
Ogunseye’s position is no different than that of Mahatma Gandhi who fought for Indian nationalism against British domination, Cheddi Jagan’s fight against colonialism and the PNC, Martin Luther King Jr’s fight against white supremacy in the USA, 19th Century abolitionists fight against slavery and Cuffy’s revolt against the Dutch in 1763. To Tacuma, I say, continue your stand. It is a stand against all that is so wrong with our country.
If the PPP wants Tacuma and other fighters to stop their extreme positions then respect our constitutional rights, treat us as equals, pass the Ancestral Land Bill, give Critchlow and the TUC their money, stop extra-judicial killings, stop destroying the livelihood of Buxton farmers, have an independent judiciary, a Parliament that respects the rights of every race to national decision-making, respect press freedom and freedom of expression, and stop trumping up false charges to put us behind bars.
Yours faithfully,
Osafo Modibo
