Dear Editor,
Karl Marx when asked what character trait he detested most in men said servility, which is a tendency to go along with positions taken by others, especially those in positions of authority even if it goes against their better judgement.
And in similar vein, the philosopher Edmund Burke put it quite succinctly when he said that the only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
As individuals we have an obligation to stand up for the truth and for what is right. In the final analysis, it is the truth that will set us free.
Guyana is full of good men many of whom unfortunately chose to remain silent in the face of manifest wrongdoings by some people in positions of authority.
We all have a moral responsibility to stand up for what is right. We have to see everyone as a human being who has a contribution to make to society regardless of their station in life.
I do not believe that any individual is superior to anyone else intellectually or even morally, since there is no such thing as a perfect human being.
As so eloquently stated in the Desiderata, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.
I believe that this society of ours could be a much better place if we could all rise above pettiness and be tolerant of others and their viewpoints. There is no individual who knows it all and anyone who feels that way is dangerous to the society or organisation to which they belong.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
