At my age and stage I have little enthusiasm to vilify, demonise and condemn senior public figures in our Big Beautiful Blight of a society.
Sure, as a matured, concerned and committed citizen of this society which I’ve never left for more than seven weeks at any one time, I do hold some of those in power or authority in some degree of personal contempt. I suspect that, within the context of a certain type of upbringing, when one passes sixty, caution, understanding, even respect for earned authority, step into one’s psyche. “Cuss-downs” are to be eschewed.
However, I have to admit to some deep disappointment with respect to our last-serving young president of the Republic, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo. His critics seem numerous! From formal, official “Opposition” types to many former political and business-buddies who once shared his personal telephone numbers. I always employ my favourite folkloric proverb: “when yuh own louse bite yuh, it bite yuh hot” (Because it knows just where to bite!?) Some of Jagdeo’s severest critics are those who once hobnobbed with him and his status, stayed quiet then, but are now disappointed, upset over something. Or many things.
My point though, is that if only half of what he’s accused of is true, that is enough to condemn him to the garbage of our own political history. But how much of this condemnation is valid? Here’s my (considered) take.
The New Bharrat…
Because for decades older Guyanese had, erroneously, named Cheddi Jagan, Cheddi Bharat Jagan, even I, either in 1997 or ’98, had penned a piece in one of these columns titled “The new Bharrat”
And I happened to be at State House that day when Janet Jagan, graciously and shrewdly, passed the Presidential Cacique Crown to the young fellow from an East Coast Fishing Village; from the PYO and some teaching, and from the Moscow University and Haslyn Parris’ State Planning Secretariat. But just who was this political new kid that Cheddi saddled Asgar Ally with? Guyana would soon find out!
On the day of Jagdeo’s “inauguration” I also recalled two PNC moments: Desmond Hoyte actually welcoming the goodwill for Cheddi in November 1992 only to advise him later “Ow man, live and let others live too , nuh!” Secondly, at a Sports Bar in Middle Street, Georgetown, Lance Carberry, both depressed and agitated, declaring to me: “No, No, No Allan, I can’t take it. That … woman being my president! No, No, whatever her sterling contributions. Not my country, not my image. Not my President! Anyone else!” So we got young Bharrat.
Early welcome, later, regrets!
The populace did embrace the young PPP and national leader. Actually the PPP was doing what the PNC only spoke about: First a woman President, then one of the youngest Presidents in the world!
Working out of Guyenterprise Advertising Agency at the time, I produced a newspaper supplement. The subject was, “President Jagdeo – the first 100 days”. Man! I used a lovely photo of the youthful, energetic President running with about ten lovely Afro-girl-students from Linden! Hope sprang eternal even as his first week in office found him tackling East Coast Demerara floods.
Then disappointment dawned. First though, let me record my own parting from his super-critics of today. I give due-and-“jacket” where I feel it is merited. Jagdeo engineered the most steady exchange rate of our currency for years – – to today. National Debt was significantly decreased. With all their limitations, Housing, Medical and Education programmes were greatly enhanced.
I applaud Mr Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDS) and the prestigious Champion-of-the-Earth Award from the United Nations. Those cannot be discredited! Pity though, his last projects always make you suspect wrong-doing.
For it was during the last years of his presidency the rot stepped in – (not his doing this but) crime and murder rampage for years (was politics involved?); Phantom/Black-clothes vengeance; Public Service discontent and his refusal to honour awards; GPL power supply collapse; cancerous corruption and cocaine trafficking spiral. Then allegations of rampant racism! Bharrat’s lights were dimmed.
Racism? Vision? Mission?
President Jagdeo took a newspaper columnist to court when the critic accused him of being an “Ideological racist”. The damaging allegation is that Mr Jagdeo’s very inner character, even his personal political culture embraces discrimination against specific ethnic groups. Wow! I can’t wait for the learned Court’s findings and decision.
One witness, the master of circumlocution and obfuscation, Roger Luncheon, did make “strange” statements about the (un) suitability of Afro-Guyanese for our Diplomatic Corps. (Incidentally, what do you think about the roles of Roger and Samuel these days?).
And when I see Bharrat’s alleged handiwork through media pictures of “high society” in business and the professions I do muse about most Guyanese of European, Chinese and Amerindian descent being in other lands. Or just invisible. Then when I read of how spectrum licences were allocated, who distributed and who got what, nepotism – favouritism shown to relatives and friends – and hegemony – discriminatory domination and influence – force their way into my mind.
I then muse on. Could it be that young Mr Jagdeo, running the PPP and Guyana as his own company, had crafted this vision? “Creating a society wherein one group – my chosen group – forever controls its present and its future, a destiny to desire”.
And this company mission statement? “To mould a Guyana with economic, social and cultural opportunities residing within one group – my group”?? I doubt it. But discuss…
Welcome this really, Good Friday
It was prophesied: The Crucifixion and Resurrection I mean. Knowledgeable Christians have their Old Testaments.
So like Leon Rockcliffe advises, don’t mourn, don’t wail. Welcome the sacrifice. But was it worth it? Looking at the Planet today? Would it have been worse without the Sacrifice? Go study your Bible as I spare you today, my annual Good Friday thoughts on faith and doubting Didymus/Thomas. Happy Easter.
Easter Musings …
1) Of course, I’ll not now comment on the 2013 Budget. Scores of others will.
2) Will the Opposition be in majority during the Committee of Supply Budget debate stage? (There are ways, you know.)
3) I am looking for responses to Tony Vieira’s 2012 Review of the Sugar Industry
4) If I took yesterday (Thursday) as a day’s sick leave, I could have enjoyed six days away from work – Wednesday to next Monday! Where else in the world!?
‘Til next week
allanafenty@yahoo.com
