Dear Editor,
The recent death of Brindley Benn marks the end of a period of Guyana’s history which was characterized by deep political divisions, ethnic violence and ideological differences which reflected the international conflict called the ‘Cold War.’
Through all the turbulent times facing Guyana in the 1960s and the early 1970s, BH Benn remained a true Guyanese patriot committed to the betterment of the Guyanese masses and to the concept that equality and development belonged to those who espoused socialist principles. And BH (as my parents always called him) was as socialist as anyone could be, not as a hypocrite, but as a true and dedicated leader who lived simply and humbly, imbibing the true socialist spirit which drove him onwards.
I remember BH, in the 1960s when he was a minister (he was also deputy prime minister under my Dad’s government) and I was in my teens, and the memories of him have always been positive; he always dressed well and looked distinguished, with a soft and confident smile on his face and he always reminded me of that great fallen hero of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba, who was killed by fascist forces in that country.
Brindley was indeed a lot like Lumumba, in that he saw the inequity and the wrong in the relationship of the colonial oppressor as against the wishes and aspirations of colonial peoples everywhere, and he fought for the things he believed in, at the side of President Cheddi – always faithful to his party, the PPP. He even was jailed unjustly by the authorities during this period, but always stood tall and unswerving in his belief that Jagan was the one who deserved his support, and he always gave it, even in the face of jeopardy for himself and his large family.
Editor, BH Benn was not corrupt, and was a loyal husband and a great father to his children, unlike a lot of politicians we hear about today. Brindley Benn was a public servant with characteristics which should be studied and emulated by all young Guyanese, and I call on this government to re-invigorate Black Bush Polder which Brindley was so instrumental in creating in the 1960s, and to change its name to the ‘Brindley Benn Polder,’ in honour of such a great son of Guyana.
I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to Brindley’s family and to assure them that if President Cheddi was alive, he would have told all of Guyana that B H Benn was a fighter for the rights of our people, a hero of the working people and a true patriot of our dear country. God will take care of Brindley, I am sure, and may he rest in peace. God bless his contribution to this country.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
