Dear Editor,
For many years “Winston Murray” was only a name. His names suggested that he was of African ancestry so I was quite surprised when I saw a photo and he appeared to be East Indian. On making enquiries about him, I was told of his exceptional service to the PNC, including mortgaging his property to raise funds for the PNC for the 1997 general elections. I also learnt of his outstanding Public Service career which saw him being a member of the Foreign Service, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, a Deputy Prime Minister and an Acting President on two occasions.
Winston Murray’s mother was East Indian and his father was a mixture of African and East Indian. In a country where everyone is quickly placed into an ethnic category on the basis of physical appearance, Murray was perceived by many in both major ethnic groups to be East Indian. But because of the ease and fairness with which he dealt with everyone, there were some Africans who were able to look past the perception of him being an East Indian and the negative stereotypes imputed to the group, and just perceive him as a human being.
I was extremely pleased when he considered it necessary to challenge for the Leadership of the PNC in 2009, but disappointed when he lost through no fault of his own. He dealt with allegations of fraud against him in a diplomatic manner which made some less discerning individuals believe he had accepted the purported results. When he announced his public interest in being the Presidential candidate for the PNC, much to the annoyance of some PNC supporters, I posted an email supporting his bid and citing his years of political and governmental experience as my reason. I made no mention of his ethnicity, but I was taken to task for supporting him vis-a-vis other African contenders and for expressing my point of view.
Winston Murray was the Patron of the Education Committee of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) and was the keynote speaker at a dinner held by that organisation on the 30th October 2010. His address was punctuated by applause and he received a standing ovation at its end. ACDA must be commended for embracing Winston Murray on the basis of his experience, integrity and vision, and for looking beyond his perceived ethnicity.
Winston Murray was not deterred by racist propaganda and taunting in his quest for a Guyana that had a space for everyone. I was in Guyana for a few days in October 2010, at a time when his campaign was picking up. He sought me out and I had a brief telephone conversation with him one hour before I left for the airport. He told me that the racial division in Guyana was a deep concern of his. We promised to keep in contact. I did not know that this would be the first and last time I would speak to him.
I sometimes think Winston Murray took too long to challenge the PNC status quo and to offer his brand of principled politics to the Guyanese people. But there is a time for everything. Maybe he made his move at the right moment, given the need for a new political culture and fresh political thinking. In fact, I am inclined to believe that Winston Murray has already had an impact on our political culture in a positive way. This will be his lasting legacy.
Life goes on. Winston Murray’s death must not be seen with the finality that the word “death” connotes, but seen as the direction to go and which will make a difference. His life must be seen as rich in its contribution to our national life and his entry into Presidential politics as a transformative one. In his death, he will live.
Yours faithfully,
Kean Gibson
