Dear Editor,
Criminality exploded with ruthless savagery a few months ago leaving a nation already politically and racially divided, shocked and traumatized. Without any clear cut unambiguous policy direction aimed at producing decisive outcomes, politicians embarked on a two-pronged propaganda campaign aimed at damage control and mass diversion. The security forces fared no better as they continue to be derided and ridiculed because of their inability to apprehend these criminals. In fact, the criminals have not only outfoxed the security forces; they have beaten the politicians at their own game of divide and rule. Or, in this case, divide and plunder!
We see a band of criminals, whether politically motivated or not, employing guerilla tactics, which give the semblance of an insurrectionary movement under which they commit heinous acts of murder, public terror and robbery. Their modus operandi suggests they are well trained, armed, resourced and professionally directed.
If there is any political or military direction, then one can suppose it can only come from splinter/rogue elements disgruntled with their present status quo. It is imperative to note therefore, on this assumption, the creation of an alliance of convenience; the cloven fist of banditry disguised with the velvet glove of political opportunism, which allows both the possibility of achieving their disparate objectives, irrespective of the cost or consequences to the country and innocent bystanders. This is what has eluded politicians on both sides of the power continuum. Each failed to see this simple truth, blinded as they are by the burning desire to preserve and fortify their positions of power and privilege. It is what politicians do best.
The bandits are aware, even the simple act of defining them, whether as terrorists, gangsters or insurrectionary would be a cause for contention. If they are deemed insurrectionary, that gives them political legitimacy and therefore right to a negotiated settlement of their perceived political grievances; a position being bandied by advocates of shared governance. If, on the other hand, they are deemed terrorists or gangsters, they lose whatever legitimacy they purport themselves to have, making them fair game for decimation by the security forces and negating the need to open the doors to the corridors of power.
It is within this context that the bandits have successfully manipulated both the real and perceived socio-economic discontent, societal divisions and the main political stakeholders to their advantage.
Consequently, Guyanese became embroiled in a highly charged and often miasmic debate strictly along racial and political lines, while bewildered politicians attempt to turn the tragic events into a huge circus of accusations and counter-accusations; each vying for political, ideological and intellectual supremacy, influence or control.
In spite of the heinous crimes being committed across the racial spectrum, it would appear that realization has not yet dawned that all are involved; and as such, all will be consumed if the complicity of silence continues among the populace. The upsurge in violence is a sordid reminder of this reality. It is a graphic representation of the deep fractures in our society. Historical reason apart, we have aided and abetted this by our own callous unconcern and disregard for the well-being of each other. Simply put, we appear to strive and seek security in our own enclave of political, social and racial comfort, which, while lending credence to the socialization process, creates fertile grounds for acts of criminality. Blaming politicians for this state of affairs is nothing but psychological acrobatics aimed at absolving ourselves from our own sins. We have allowed politicians to appeal to our most basic and degrading racial instincts which they manipulated with deadly consequences.
Being products of a society from which they emerge, politicians themselves have become entangled within the web they weave. A myopic vision, coupled with a linear mindset which allows them to see things strictly along lines they wish to see, either black or white, have left them little scope for compromise or the establishing of common grounds on which workable solutions can be found. As I have said before they are locked in a ‘symphony of the deaf, dumb and blind.’ No one wants to see. None wants to hear. And when suitable, all pretend to be dumb. Like them, we too choose to see only our differences; not the common heritage that we all inherited, irrespective of the color of our skin or the texture of our hair.
But I wish to ask. Have you ever seen any politician lining up for food – and I mean any whatsoever, PPP/C or PNCR? Have you ever seen any of them catching a minibus? Have you ever seen them any time in your neck of the woods excepting when there is a crisis or elections? Have you seen them fetching water from standpipes or trenches early in the mornings? Have you ever seen any of them throwing a cast net to catch curry after coming from work? Do you know of any who have to face the innocent but sorrowful faces of their children because they are hungry and they cannot feed them? Do they send them to dilapidated schools with teacher shortages and run-down edifices? Do you know of any whose salary cannot cope with the cost of living or who does not have a business or minibuses or enjoys duty free concessions and a fanciful salary from the public purse? I don’t think so.
The only time they walk with you is when they smell an opportunity to bolster their image or for some personal gain. Why then I ask Guyanese, do we allow ourselves to be led by the nose? Loyalty is a commendable trait; blind loyalty however, leads to imprisonment of the mind and self destruction.
Yours faithfully,
R Cing
