Dr C: When music mattered more (?)
During the last fifteen years of my professional existence, there have been two or three Public Education Programmes which I was privileged and pleased to participate in but which still managed to cause me anguish.
Amongst two which triggered both immense satisfaction, then “reasonable frustration” were those related to Solid Waste Management in two urban areas and the make-up and role of Guyana’s Parliament. I can’t bore you with the details of my disappointment but in relation to my “association” with the Parliament, I want to hint at two (dubious?) achievements: I was privileged to (have to) read every – I mean every word uttered by Dr Cheddi Jagan when he participated in his record-breaking membership of the various versions of Guyana’s Parliament – from the records actually available. Secondly, I once interviewed 97% of all employees of the National Assembly’s Parliament Office about their functions. I spend a few paragraphs on the Parliament assignment in order to relate to my interest in and admiration of what the current Speaker of the House is doing.
Parliament: President and Assembly
As I’ve shared in this column and elsewhere before, Guyana’s Parliament is really comprised of the Preside nt of the country along with the sixty-plus member National Assembly.
You see, just a few years ago, I deemed myself a bit of an “expert” on Parliament, after weeks of research there – and after wonderful, enlightening learning-sessions with former record-breaking Clerk of the Assembly, Mr. Frank Narain!
So, I have, in the past explained how our Parliament accommodates certain categories of members of the Assembly after national and regional elections. I remember hinting too that the President must assent to motions passed by the Assembly, but for the Bills to become law, the President has to actually sign. Do you know what happens if he decides not to?
Frequently? Well there is a time-frame for rectifying unsigned Bills. And when there is complete refusal -deadlock, the Constitution and the Parliament’s Standing Orders have remedies. Oh boy, that’s when fresh elections loom.
I do hope that Speaker Trotman’s outreaches and public education programme enlighten young and old citizens about these nuances.
In the current Parliamentary configuration, nothing is better than pre-sitting consultations amongst those representing the electorate and all Guyana in that “House”. Then there are the committees – and sub-committees. These parliamentary caucuses are also intended to speed up the Assembly’s work, its procedures and status. What are they?
Committees like peas!
The Standing Orders – or Parliament’s Regulations – allow the House to establish several Committees. These include Standing Committees like the Committees of Selection, Appointments and Parliamentary Management; sectoral committees like those on Economic, Natural Resources and Foreign Services. There are also sessional select committees for Standing Orders, Assembly and Privileges, etcetera. And yes, there can also be established special select committees! Committees like peas-intended to smooth the relations and work upstairs in the House. You must ask Speaker Trotman if these Committees actually assist. (I recall predicting, in December last, that even the membership of these groups would attract political bacchanal. Was I right?)
I commend the Speaker for his proposals to bring Parliament closer to the people – and vice-versa. Start with the youth, Sir.
Music and Social change
This is just to acknowledge and appreciate a stimulating illustrated “lecture” on music and social change in 20th century Guyana. This was at David de Caires’ Moray House last Friday evening.
Dr V-Bart Cambridge from the old Guyana “Customs”, Alberttown, GNS and Ohio, USA, does not actually “lecture” anybody. His Fenty-like style really shares ideas, history, analyses and conclusions with audiences. The light touch still accommodates and communicates much information and profundity – Cambridge style.
Social history, the role and influence of music, colonial, American and Guyanese musicians in that history of the Guyanese nation and (even) the relationship between political and developmental periods and eras and music in Guyana were provocatively explored by Dr Cambridge.
It would be futile to attempt to capture the gamut of topics expounded on – replete with illustrative slide and sound – last Friday. Fortunately, the whole enriching event was recorded and Vibart’s book is imminent.
Then you’ll relive the encounters, interactions and exchanges – as the first Africans landed; the European colonial ever-lasting, cultural inputs; the eighteenth to twentieth centuries’ use of music as historical, documentary record; as media and as social change-agent. From Burnham’s nationalistic “Steel-Band Diplomacy to Rebel’s Praise-and-Blame Songs, the conversation aroused beautiful discourse and debate. Great stuff!
Just imagine…
*1) Imagine the Minister of Health’s closest relatives attending District Health Centres after seven at nights.
*2) To know if all is well at our hospitals the “best test” would be our Parliamentarians attending them – incognito.
*3) It can’t be true! That because a lovely Guyanese lass stole the heart of a Bajan government minister’s spouse, the Bajan officials are upset with Guyanese visitors. Not true!
*4) Which group “owns” Sheriff Street in Georgetown? Not the actual street, I mean.
*5) Again I wonder: why would anyone want to be a mayor – or councilor – of our capital Georgetown? Hoping to serve for change? Perks or some benefits? Give me three reasons!
`Til next week!
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