Of the Mighty Roraima
-Some early pre-campaign Bacchanal?
Even as the Barbadian Immigration issue is attracting regional attention and even as the Community Heads gather here for their decades–long integrationist/development discussions, I choose to be oblique about our own migration experience.
Sadly, we have exported tens of thousands of our people to other societies since the fifties. Guyanese brains have enriched the already richer world. Much more than we have benefited from other peoples’ expertise, on a sustained basis.
I share a short essay (unpublished up to now) which was penned years ago – especially for overseas-based, Guyana-born citizens.
GUYANESE BRAINS ABROAD
Why did you migrate from the Republic of Guyana years ago? Why are you living where you are now – as a full-fledged citizen? Or even as an alien or undocumented “illegal” resident who is still contributing to your adopted homeland’s economy and welfare?
I guess the reasons are many and varied – depending on personal circumstances. Somewhere amongst causes related to employment opportunities, education of a specialized category, the racism or politics in the land of birth, or just an ordinary “pull-factor” such as the need to be in a new (developed) environment that’s different, challenging, peaceful or culturally – inviting.
Whatever the reason, our peoples’ migration – temporary or permanent – gave the world Dr Walter Rodney, Dr Mohammed Shahabudeen, Dr Shridath `Sonny’ Ramphal and Dr Ivan Van Sertima.
Do you know or recognize those four names of eminently prominent, qualified, distinguished, accomplished and internationally-known and acclaimed Guyanese? Yes, all those adjectival descriptions – and more – can be used, most justifiably, to describe those Guyanese international achievers all born in the Land of the Mighty Roraima. For me it is a source of pride to know that the Land of my birth, my own native land, has produced these giants. But it also saddens me to know that these brilliant sons had reason to migrate or “exile” themselves from Guyana to other people’s homelands.
I was tempted to “borrow” wholesale from a piece Terry Holder wrote for my use seven years ago. In that article, “The Skills Drain”, Terence Holder, himself a former General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) who served the Caribbean as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), but returned home to become a Deputy General Manager with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), mentions scores of names of Guyanese now resident abroad who are making their minds, brains and skills available to the world. I’ll quote from it as the persons are the very ones, along with, perhaps, hundreds more, I can mention, if I had the time and memory to do so.
The world-renowned academic, historian and teacher Dr Rodney, was killed while being an activist opposition politician at home in June 1980. Dr. Rodney was recognized throughout the developing world and the Caribbean – partly through his seminal work, How Europe Under Developed Africa.
Dr. Ramphal was once Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Among those who lived abroad, or are still alive serving regionally or internationally are: Doctors Charles and Frank Denbow from the now – famed family of Georgetown. Charles won all there was or is to be won in the field of medicine at UWI in Mona, Jamaica, Dr. Ewart Thomas is at Stanford U. in California, Dr. David Dabydeen is at Warwick in the UK but visits and serves his homeland continuously. Other great Guyanese writers abroad include E.R. Braithwaite (To Sir With Love), in Orlando, Florida, Wilson Harris, John Agard, Marc Matthews, Grace Nichols in Britain, and Frank Birbal Singh in Canada (O.K! I known I’ve left out dozens of other writers).
Dr Richard Allsopp is in Barbados after producing the Dictionary of Caribbean Usage. And at the Cave Hill UWI, you can find Dr. Joycelyn Massiah and Alvin Thompson, Lecturer in History, Dr Compton Bourne now heads the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh from the Corentyne is now living as a much-honoured “Texan” in Midland – a medical doctor, banker and Patron of the Arts.
What about Havelock Brewster, Kenneth King well-known international economists? Or Ken Corsbie, Godfrey Chin, Keith Waithe, Dave Martins, Ramjohn Holder and Wordsworth Mc Andrew? All still alive but serving the Entertainment Field anywhere else but good old Guyana.
Yes, just like Eddy Grant, Aubrey Mann, Jimmy Wray, Ted E-Jones, Lady Guymine, Rudy Bishop, Stanley Greaves and Johnny Braff!
Since by now you’ve gotten the picture, I’ll end with the names of just a few Guyanese sportsmen who live abroad – still. Active, or in active retirement.
Remember Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Alvin Kallicharran, Carl Hooper and Leonard Baichan? These cricket greats gave us great joy. James Wren-Gilkes, Aubrey Bryce, Chris Lewis, Claudette Masdammer, June Griffith, Hodiah Davidson, Pat Britton, Garth Isaacs and Lennox Blackmore are others. Can you recall their sport-disciplines?
In which they excelled?
My only regret, I repeat, is that all of these talents – and those mentioned represent only a tiny sampling – are not available to a homeland badly in need of them – in economic planning, medicine, agriculture, drainage and irrigation, education, even sport.
Perhaps they may want to consider some scheme or programme whereby they offer to serve their true homeland Guyana – even for a few months or a year – from their new adopted “homes”. Until…
Early election Bacchanal?
That’s all I can put it down to – the continual goings-on in the various party camps. Eyes and minds are already cast to 2011. Who would be leader? Presidential candidate? Running – mate? Parliamentarian?
Suddenly the PNC’s Aubrey Norton is ‘busing his Comrade leader, the Recovered RHO Corbin. Did Aubrey support the leader against the gang of 8 to be in his own position to bid for PNC leader?
Over at Freedom House, a popular number three Dr. Frank Anthony has been the recipient too, of some evil Blog-level “publicity”. Even his good charming lady has been the target of nasty Internet attention. Could it be that Frank’s “own people” are after him? One PPP “observer” is of the view that “Bharrat and Ramkarran like dey have an arrangement,” because Ralph Ramkarran has suddenly become a more prolific columnist, analyst and letter-writer. “No”, says a PNC type, “with no Jagan around, Jagdeo is going to back a rank outsider”.
Phew! Oh for power. Whether the masses benefit or not.
But I’m going to keep my ears and eyes on both the PNC’s registered delegates and the national Voters’ list. Stay tuned.
Ponder…
*1) Next Friday, I’ll quote Barbadian Owen Arthur on integration and “free movement of People” in Caricom. We can harbour ideals. But we need to get real. Read Girvan too!
*2) Name four territories which bother to celebrate Caricom Day as a public holiday. (Don’t waste your time!)
*3) How did the Canadian students with cocaine in their stomachs find a specific local hotel?
*4) Next week too: Seven Fraud cases gone silent!
*5) Is a naturalized American citizen more American – or more Guyanese?
*6) If you dislike long speeches, Minister Anthony tells of the tribe in Africa who actually allows public functionaries to speechify – for as long as they could stand on one foot!
*7) Just as I was going to back Adam Harris for government support for 113-year-old Mathilda, she threw in the towel! She’ll definitely rest in peace.
‘Til next week!
Comments? Allanafenty@yahoo.com
