Dear Editor,
I observe a Guyana transformed on some of the issues that impact life heavily and negatively. I think that these matters – and this way – now irreversibly immersed in the bloodstream of local society, and an inseparable aspect of the individual and collective mentality. Any type of scrutiny – cursory, deep, statistical, or otherwise – reveals how much this nation has changed.
Corruption does not anger any more, it does not even provoke principled citizens beyond resignation and disinterest; while there is occasional fascination at the brazen and grotesque excesses, there is the escape of black humour and a studied nonchalance. The giveaway and prodigal wastage of national resources and attending political rewards scarcely instigates any awe or furor. Certainly, there is the usual surge of condemnatory chatter (now a tradition), but no more. The saturation point was breached a while back, rapidly diminishing utility prevails, and it is on to the other crying, trying interests closer to home.
The weary thinking seems to be: What difference does it make, anyway, whether one is agitated or incensed? Does it really matter what I, or we, think and feel?
It is the same jaded story on the broad, deep and high narcotics front. A big bust or one more airport seizure brings a raised eyebrow and a chuckle, if that. What else is new? It is all over the place, everywhere. Tell us something we don’t already know…. What is the significance of the isolation and removal of a single bead of sweat amidst an unending profusion of perspiration? Rank perspiration that rankles only a few today. Today the mules are middle-aged, regular appearing travellers; people who are faceless in the moving drift, never before seen on radar. Incidentally, as stated elsewhere, almost everybody in this country knows somebody who is in the business. Further, quite a few of the little people have benefited from start-up capital through relationships; they cannot be expected to turn around and bite the hand that blessed them. Notice how this very visible disease is dexterously woven into the receptive quilt of the populace. Well, people have to make a living somehow, and this is as good and richer than most.
Not so discernible – at least to the regular man-in-the-street – are the many money laundering institutions. In fact, they are chains of related laundromats, so prolific is the business and ease of doing this particular kind of business. There is a city presence buttressed by hinterland activity, as in the yearlong masquerade of mining. Then there are town operations and country ones, too; all under the familiar individual auspices. These days the old storied money is commingled with the new and tainted. None of this can be missed, but who is checking? Who is equipped, skilled, and interested enough to make a start? The FIU can be dismissed out of hand.
On the same note, Guyanese should ready themselves. Sooner rather than later, some flashy entrepreneur will erect a well-stocked private zoo; they already have private armies. There is a history of trying with private airlines, which is a moneymaker. Better make that a moneychanger. There is a lot of cash to stash.
When examined bloodlessly (try that some time), the evil triad of corruption, drugs, and money laundering does not exercise Guyanese unduly any more. It is just the way society and its individual components have been transformed. It is too overwhelming. What we have is near complete moral collapse, and the ascendancy of the dishonourable, detestable, and the destructive.
Remember the central thrust of this letter: Who cares? Less than a few. Who is listening? Not many. Who can, or want, to do something? Nobody. The big question is where does this new norm leave us as a nation?
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
