It was on Sunday of this week, during a nine-hour blackout, that I persevered with the notes of this (type of) Frankly Speaking mini-lecture you’re reading here.
But it was the next day, Monday, that I was “hurt” to read, in another section of the print media two letters which beat me to the punch. Over the names Dominic Gaskin and Morris Wilson, two of my main messages and themes were touched upon. Being positive, I regard their treatment of the issues as co-incidentally supportive, even though they hit the pages much earlier than today. So I decided to proceed with my version(s) anyhow.
What am I going on about? It has to do with the unfortunate but effective whittling away of the respect citizens should have for our national institutions of identity and democracy – and of the institutions themselves.
One business-oriented commission – the Private Sector Commission has just lamented the absence of other vitally-needed commissions such as the Integrity Commission, the National Procurement Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman. We all know how the existing Integrity Commission and the Police Complaints Authority are perceived. Despite its best efforts the Elections Commission is continually vilified. (Jimmy Carter never suggested it continue in its current incarnation.)
No confidence, diminished respect
Sadly, because of a new morality where there is a razor-thin line between right and wrong and where watered-down values and virtues dictate little respect for authority – because often that “authority” does not earn it – there is often no respect for, or confidence in, the national institutions that do exist.
That’s because the deliberations, then decisions by some institutions – including “commissions” and “authorities”, are often “coloured” by unprofessional, anti-nationalistic considerations. And, of course, the very composition of the institutions, with “de ministuh’s interventions”, is cause for concern, indifference and disrespect. Make it your business to probe just who comprise the constitutional service commissions, for example. I mean, the Judicial Service, the Public Service, Teaching Service, Police Service, Ethnic Relations, Public Service Appellate commissions. Who are these folks (in short supply)? What are their reputations and alliances?
Actually, our Constitution recommends other commissions (like peas!) – Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law, Human Rights, Women and Gender Equality, Indigenous Peoples, Rights of the Child, the Elderly; see what I mean?
These are institutions meant to safeguard and promote our rights and freedoms, giving us a great quality of life, as Guyanese citizens. Alas! Politics, nepotism and subjectivity intrude upon these needed institutions and render them, at the least, “suspicious”.
As I ask you to discuss, I quote the letter-writer Dominic Gaskin: “The credibility of the state as an institution transcends passing governments, and once destroyed is not easily restored. One may argue that this credibility was destroyed before the assumption to power of the PPP/C government, but the fact remains that this government is now a deliberate contributor to this phenomenon.
Moreover, the credibility of the state spills into a number of areas that affect the wellbeing of our country. A lack of public trust will undermine the best efforts at policing, tax collecting and economic expansion, all of which are critical to this country’s development and none of which are happening at optimal levels.
As with lost credibility, abuse of authority does not easily reverse itself once unleashed. Au contraire, it quickly spreads to other parts, assuming new forms and generally creating a comfort zone for those individuals who, like maggots, thrive in what is for most a unhealthy environment.”
Beautifully put. I say too that when citizens lose functional respect for institutions, as distinct from personalities, a nation is in rudderless peril. Again, discuss…
When power leads to greed
Imagine a new (young) president assuming office – and power – in a poor Third World nation. He, or she, swiftly discovers the vast array of authority and influence there for the “using”. From sitting with the cabinet and party hierarchy to discuss and decide on granting of mineral exploration licences, land allocation, contracts to investors, national holidays, appointments of commissions or heads of corporations and services, what authority, dominion – and rewards – could be there!
Imagine the new Minister, Permanent Secretary, CEO or Police Commissioner surveying the first week in office. Imagine that these individuals are more political than professional and speculate as to their “possibilities”. (Happily, I bet that we Guyanese are spared the latter. Right?)
I see that celebrated Barbadian/Caribbean writer George Lamming has just been honoured in the midst of his 85th year. I forget now, the actual quote, but Lamming once explained how poor West Indian politicians, who were catapulted to high office, influence and opportunity, often succumbed to the potential and perks of that “office”. Let’s find that discourse.
Early radio – and now…
The comprehensive notes I have on radio’s development in the BG colony to now – (Go discover Terrence “Terry” Holder, yourself) – dictate that I have to self-edit and “chop” this piece mercilessly.
I therefore present just the relatively trivial, but useful to local students of local radio.
Recall that “radio broadcasts were started in British Guiana in the 1920s by private enthusiasts.” Four years after Britain’s BBC began (1922) our “BG” was receiving transmission through telephone wires in Georgetown. Short-wave broadcasts were experimented with between 1927 and 1931 (just two hours a week.)
Over-seventies will recall Station ZFY belonging to the BG United Broadcasting Co Ltd. These efforts (1935 to 1938) were all private sector driven, of course. Interestingly, the notes say that before Radio Trinidad emerged (1947), our ZFY captured Trini audiences for its religious and “Indian” content!
I’ll probably tell the latter-day history of radio- (Medium-Wave transmitters, rediffusion purchase, Radio Demerara, Sparendaam, BFBS, GBS, GBCM, etc, etc) another time. But check these names – and memories – ‘til then: Oscar Wight, Eric Saul, Ulric Gouveia, Rafiq Khan, Hugh Cholmondeley, Ron Sanders, Terry Holder, James Sydney, Ave Brewster, Fazil Azeez, Johnny Adamson, Cliff Leeming, Jewel Adamson, Wilbert Holder, June Jardin, Ramona Kowlessar, Claude Vieira; Action Line, Your Radio Doctor, Night Ride, Man-in-the-Street, Ganga Time, Tides of Susanburg, For Better, For Worse, Towards The Dawn, Sunday Showcase, Music From Africa, Yours For The Asking, Teensville, Best By Request, Indian Memory Album, In Search of A Star, Filmi Duniya.
Let the Lion Loose, My Bones and My Flute, Sweet Carila, Second Spring, Portia Faces Life, Aunty Mary, Dr Paul, A Man Called Shadow, Firefighters.
Okay, I know: Nostalgia for our over-60s; research for the interested young.
So along came the young man from Unity who would be president. Moscow-trained economist under the PNC and PPP, then anointed leader! Discovered a natural resource as Minister of Information – the spectrum of air waves that beam radio signals. He gives permission to a few. Justifiable contention! Another story when this radio piece resumes.
Ponder…
*1) A Morrison Wilson wrote: “I think that the time has come for a law that requires that persons seeking parliamentary or public office should be required to give full disclosure of their holdings and investments. These personnel should also be required to give periodic updates on those holdings and investments.” And I agree!
*2) Research too what George Lamming wrote about the presence of India’s Immigrants To the Caribbean, as you have a reflective Arrival Day next Sunday.
*3) August 21, 2012: nine months on, they are now agreeing on chairpersons of committees. The leaders and laments of Linden!
Til next week!
(Comment? Allanafenty@yahoo.com)
