Dear Editor,
This statement was made by Mr Bisram (SN, Nov1o): “It is curious that Mr Beharry would not see himself falling under the categories of Indo-Guyanese, Indo-Caribbean or Indian American. My colleagues and I have been struggling for over 34 years to gain ethnic equality in America and elsewhere for all groups so that people like Mr Beharry can be treated with respect.”
Mr Bisram’s letters can be entertaining or distasteful, and some do arouse the ire of many decent citizens. There are many (in the villages of Guyana and in some enclaves of New York, Florida and Toronto) who share Mr Bisram’s views of being first and foremost ‘Indo-X’ or ‘Indian-X.’ Such views have persisted despite time, education, and changing circumstances in and out of Guyana. Most of us have grown, evolved and have moved on beyond mere physical appearances, but as Mr Bisram shows it is very hard to erase such thinking despite portraying himself as a teacher, member of the independent media and a “freedom fighter.“ Most of us know that the lens (self identification or label) which we wear determines our perspectives.
Mr Bisram claimed credentials as a press reporter for several newspapers.
Apparently, the President and his entourage were not aware of Mr. Bisram’s press credentials from the independent media, since according to the President Jagdeo, the independent media are “vultures and carrion crows.” What Guyanese ‘freedom fighter’ would be unaware of the limitations imposed on acquiring radio and TV licences in Guyana?
Mr Bisram has not recognized that under the banner of ‘Civil Rights’ many oppressed people and people of conscience marched in the USA. Many persons boldly stood taking the brutality and abuse for principles such as equality under the law and to be simply viewed as human beings. One notable example of such courage is US Congressman John Lewis. In the US the civil rights the ‘Indian- or Indo-X enjoy, whatever their countries of origin, were paid for with the blood of others.
It seems peculiar that this fearless ‘freedom fighter,’ like the others mentioned by Mr Bisram, shied away from hearing the cries of the UG’s staff to be treated like human beings; or, more disconcerting about the killing of young men without trial; or, a young man interrogated without his parents being present and being burnt in a police station. The people of the sugar and bauxite industries are likewise crying for relief from their burdens while wealth and good times abound for the chosen ones of the PPP. Would Guyanese workers not be uplifted and encouraged by a word of solidarity from Mr Bisram, a freedom fighter?
It is unfortunate that Mr Bisram and others who see themselves as Indo- X, Y, or Z do not see the excesses and abuses of this PPP government. Any independent reporter or freedom fighter would be appalled by current conditions in Guyana.
Mr Bisram and others like him in NY, Toronto, etc, are still blind to the ‘optics’ of the India Day Parade. Firstly, we have a President of Guyana who has publicly shown contempt and disrespect for the sacredness and meanings of a Hindu wedding ceremony and does not even recognize its legitimacy. No Pandit or Hindu official commented on this wrong. Many of us are disgusted with the shameless exploitation of our physical appearances and/or ancestral roots for political and partisan purposes. Dr Rodney articulated and practised the ideal of equality and respect and attracted great support from the whole society. Those who stood to lose their power bases were alarmed. The PNC executed their plan of death and the PPP brass stood silent on the sidelines. Guyanese, including ordinary PPP members, were disgusted.
People are free to choose whatever label they want, but in the Guyanese context right now it is
counter-productive to proclaim a country of ancestral origin to define a human being. (The last batch of Indians left for Guyana in 1917. They have not returned to India to live.)
It has been almost a decade that some of us have been highlighting the conditions at UG,
Science and Technology, etc, yet Mr Bisram as teacher, pollster, reporter, and ‘freedom fighter’ has never reported or investigated the educational facilities or abuses there.
We hope that the many and probably well-meaning people, including Mr Bisram and his friends, who suffered and were scarred with the impositions of one dictator, now realize that the former reign of terror is long over. But it has re-emerged under this current government. As before, none escapes the impacts of this government’s actions and more Guyanese (including Indo-Guyanese) are on the move seeking escape or refuge elsewhere, and looks towards ‘departure day.‘
Anyone familiar with India’s history would know that amidst the fraternal strife, M K Gandhi
emerged and said in effect I am Hindu, I am Muslim, I am Christian. Bigotry contributed to Mr Gandhi’s death as it did to Dr Rodney’s. Applying their teachings to Guyana, I am simply a human being and Guyanese by birthright. Many peoples, places, foods cultures, places, democratic systems and education have contributed to who we are. We who were born here are Guyanese first and foremost.
One of the world’s iconic philosophers M K Gandhiji wrote: “Man has two windows to his mind: through one he can see his own self as it is; through the other, he can see what it ought to be. It is our task to analyze and explore the body, the brain and mind of man separately; but if we stop here we derive no benefit despite our scientific knowledge. It is necessary to know about the evil effects of injustice, wickedness, vanity and the like, and the disaster they spell where the three are found together. And mere knowledge is not enough; it should be followed by appropriate action. An ethical idea is like an architect’s plan.”
Yours faithfully,
Seelochan Beharry
