Dear Editor,
Politicians and diapers should be changed frequently and all for the same reason. -José Maria de Eça de Queiroz
Dr Luncheon‘s letter provides ample proof , if any were needed, of Queiroz’ brutally accurate words. The entire premise of Luncheon’s letter demonstrates the intellectual rot and confusion that emanates from politicians who suffer from the burden of long incumbency.
In a sentence, “The recorded history of black people in Guyana is one of struggle and more struggle in the ranks of the PPP,“ Dr Luncheon has miniaturised post-Independence African Guyanese political activity to “visionless leadership.“ Given his long association with the PPP, and consequently its epic, all-consuming, symbiotic struggle with the PNC, he perhaps has failed to notice the contribution of Dr Walter Rodney, Dr Clive Thomas and countless other African Guyanese political leaders outside the realms of the PPP, and indeed the PNC, who have made an indelible mark on the political development of the African Guyanese.
Dr Luncheon’s entire frame of reference suggests that nothing progressive in the African Guyanese community can in fact emanate from outside of the PPP, that demonstrates a chronic case of tunnel vision, which I suspect has something to do with the PPP’s long tenure in office and more so Dr Luncheon’s in the closeted environment of the Office of the President.
His attack on Nigel Hughes is merely symptomatic of a more deep-seated psychosis affecting the erstwhile doctor which I suspect has to do with his party’s inability to appeal to a wider African Guyanese community and perhaps his personal frustration, as an African Guyanese in the PPP, to make this happen. It is perhaps more an attack on what Nigel Hughes represents ie, independent African Guyanese thinking than an attack on the man himself.
Finally in what I can only assume must be intellectual fatigue, he resorts to personal attack and empty political rhetoric in making completely unfounded statements such as, “Jagdeo and PPP track record in promoting ethnic diversity is legend.” Evidence in the case Jagdeo v Freddie Kissoon clearly points to the contrary, and his own utterance that there is no African Guyanese qualified to be an ambassador clearly debunks this piece of propaganda.
With regard to his claim of the “forward march of ever-increasing numbers of Afro-Guyanese imbued with the vision of the PPP/C administration,” time and the elections of November 28, 2011 will ultimately determine whether this “increasing number” actually translates to anything more than the traditional small cadre of African Guyanese associated with the PPP prior to and since 1992, and the new arrivals who have curiously chosen the period immediately preceding the election to demonstrate their commitment to the PPP and its ‘vision’ for Guyana.
I suggest that Dr Luncheon takes a long rest after November 28, 2011 to refresh his intellect because in its current state it will not serve his memoirs well.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
