Dear Editor,
I am having a lot of difficulty understanding the motivation and indeed the tact of African Guyanese leaders. When would they be able to pick and use their energies on the right battles and issues? At a time when government is blatantly walking away from the agreement they made with the people of Region 10, after their cries and protest, after the people made the ultimate sacrifice with three lives, African leaders in their brilliance have decided to do battle on the location of the 1823 monument.
Personally I really do not understand how the monument has become such a big issue – we are getting a monument. Have we contributed financially to this? And don’t bring up the old arguments about being taxpayers, etc, etc. The issue for many leaders is that they were not consulted. Maybe it is that they are seen as irrelevant and have not contributed to any real action for their people. Maybe they have not been able to instigate change and good financial policies for the people they are supposed to represent. Maybe just being proud figureheads does not cut it.
For me and as Mr Thom concluded recently, the best position for the monument is on the Kitty Seawall. I do not accept the arguments for the Parade Ground. In fact, my view is that the history of the ground negates the establishment of the monument at that location. Let’s not forget that the PNC under Mr Burnham did their best to de-emphasize the place, because of the atrocities.
The only recognition I would give to the place is a plaque identifying and spelling out the atrocities that took place at that location. The emblem of freedom should be blessed with the soothing wind of the North-East Trades.
The big issue should be Linden. The biggest disrespect for the peoples of Region 10 and African Guyanese specifically is the government walking away from the agreements they made to the region. African Guyanese countrywide should be mad and they should show it in no uncertain manner.
This is why I am mad. The Linden agreements were made on the precept that the people of Linden, through the leadership of Mr Sharma Solomon, wish self-determination. They want to be given the opportunity of using the resources of the region to reach the utopia of self-sufficiency. There persons lost their lives and the people of the region delivered on their part of the bargain – they stopped their protest.
I am angry that Africans are always stereotyped as being lazy and wanting free things but there are always those same critics who do the outmost to stymie our progress. It is as if they are afraid they are proven wrong. It is the same kind of force President Obama comes up against. His success would not argue well for the negative narrative and stereotyping.
I fear this is the attitude towards Linden and we should have none of it. Government needs to move aggressively on agreements they have made with Linden. Linden should be given a chance to chart their destiny, solicit and make deals with potential investors and nothing should stand in their way. They should be given a chance and be criticized or praised based on the results of their actions. Not giving them that opportunity deserves the wrath of all Guyanese, especially African Guyanese.
So that’s where our energies as Guyanese should be focused. Guyanese from all persuasions should stand behind the people of Region 10. Parliament and government should be given a stipulated time – two to three weeks – to get back to delivering on the agreements made to the people of Linden. Leaders, this is your time to organize and support the people of Linden. Unlike the fights about the location of the 1823 monument your energies will be well spent. There must be a way to right the wrongs meted out to the people of Region 10.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner
