Dear Editor,
Response is made to F. Skinner’s letter on African empowerment published in Stabroek News on November 10, 2009, titled ‘Social activism is needed now more than political activism.’ The comments and suggestions are noted, since every soldier is needed and valued. In instances where it is felt my activism is insufficient others are welcome to fill the void or lend support. The struggle for empowerment is multifaceted. Behind this backdrop there is enough space in the battlefield for another soldier and I urge Mr Skinner to pitch his tent and get to work.
As a labour advocate my platform and activism are built on the fundamental principles of protecting and creating jobs, protecting human and trade union rights, and the elimination of poverty. These principles necessitate equal doses of social and political activism, since the highlighted issues having being created by political decisions require activism to influence justice and fair play from the politicians which in turn would benefit the people in the wider society.
Politics influence every sphere of our lives to the extent of empowerment, exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation. This government maintains a stranglehold on decision-making, even if it requires violating the rule of law and conventions. Until we return to the state when the rule of law, conventions and inclusive national decision-making are honoured, where every worker and citizen’s rights will be respected; contributory pension plans are protected; the African who aspires to entrepreneurship gets his fair stake as was tried by bauxite workers who wanted to buy out Bermine and African businessmen who wanted to lease Everton; until people are allowed a second chance at a high-school education, opportunities to upgrade their skills, inclusive of business programmes as offered by Critchlow Labour College which in 2007 saw the government withdrawal of state funding instituted since 1968; and until the laid-off artisan (bauxite worker) has an opportunity at structured re-training for employment, then these social problems will continue to demand political activism to have the political directorate change their exclusionary and discriminatory policies.
From Mr Skinner’s letter it is clear he may not quite understand the bauxite industry or appreciate the issues raised in letters about the industry. Contrary to his belief, it is not true bauxite was teetering on the brink of total collapse in 1992. In 1992 the state industry produced in excess of 480,000 tonnes of bauxite and all were sold. It was in November 1992 under Kim Kissoon’s chairmanship of the Linmine Board that production was cut to 250,000 tonnes to take effect from January 1993. To be fair, the decision to cut production was made by the politicians. This decision saw the demise of Linmine.
At the end of the day it is the government, as custodian of our laws and tax dollars, which has a primary responsibility to create the enabling environment to ensure the rights of every citizen and to allow every citizen access to the state’s resources for his/her development. Achieving this requires political activism.
There is much work to be done in the African community and Mr Skinner’s agenda for entrepreneurial training, improving housing/surroundings and the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce are welcome. He should now seek to implement them.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
