You would be right to suspect, even conclude; that I like to explore definitions and meanings in my old dictionaries. (This has developed since my youthful teacher-boy days, decades ago.)
So my dictionary says to judge is “to form an authoritative opinion”, to be “judgmental” is to judge, but “to judge rather harshly”. Of course, older folks still believe that “Judgement” is that final judging of mankind by God.
These considerations surged as I contemplated the consequences of the Camp Street Jail Riot which resulted in the deaths of seventeen inmates waiting for trial for ultimate heinous crimes. The courts were thus denied the legal procedures towards determining if justice would have been served. And level-headed, open-mined, law-abiding citizens often caution others not to rush to any “judgement” regarding the accused. I suppose it’s still the best system we have, but for me, Frankly Speaking, legal judicial conclusions based (only) on available evidence presented often favour accused crooks.
That is why I am mightily (?) (extremely) impressed with the reactions from some relatives and friends of those allegedly murdered by some of the prisoners who were burnt or suffocated to death in Camp Street. These folks – like the relatives of the female warden now crippled still, – are not at all openly pleased that the accused succumbed to such a wretchedly fiery demise. How noble; how compassionately humanitarian, seeing that most of those who perished were accused of dastardly murders and were unrepentant in claiming innocence as they relied on their defence teams.
How impressed am I by these victims’ survivors. The arson deaths delivered them no justice, they claim.
Yes, I’m impressed by their (Christian?) humanity and depressed by my own inability to be and think like them. Partly because, I suppose, I am not an activist Christian seized by Holy Biblical injunction.)
Vengeance – and my failings
I need a patient, expert-teacher-theologian and pastor to explain simply, but persuasively, certain Christian Bible precepts and advice to me, before I pass on – for good.
I grapple with the Bible’s Divine Miracles, its Old Testament prophecies and parables, hidden meanings and the like. I dare to wonder about the Bible itself! I wonder about “Blind Faith”
Take vengeance. “Turning-the-other-cheek” has to be very Christian but not too natural. When one does some other a wrong purposely, the latter must feel entitled to redress. By personal action or through some process. Revenge addresses retaliation, satisfaction after being wronged. Vengeance is a consequential punishment inflicted over an injury or offence committed.
I know that I’ll be vengeful for long, very long, if I witness someone injuring or murdering my loved one savagely. Whether the perpetrator is drugged or not. My own failing is that I feel that if any justice is dispensed by some legal mind or system, it won’t be enough to avenge the savagery meted out to my own.
Alas, Frankly Speaking, I concede that I might not qualify as a citizen proud of our rule of law and our rejection of ultimate capital penalty for murderers. Shamefully I congratulate all those much more civilized than I am.
Then an Apostle, I think, discusses in Romans (12: – plus) the fact that His Lord has decreed: Vengeance (extreme revenge?) is mine! (Solely?). Romans is filled with advice for those who would be completely Christian: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse … Do not take revenge etc.” You’re to leave vengeance to (God’s) wrath as he will repay.
So when I view authentic videos of a young man bludgeoning an old lady to death, taking a sip and repeating his battering of the aged helpless I must leave that to God? Ultimately? Okay. I must also join the noble and hope that the souls of all who perished in the Jail Inferno would rest in the peace they (allegedly) denied others? Okay. Discuss…
This land is mine?
Theirs? Ours?
There is a Guyanese adaptation of the American standard “This land Is my land”.
Well a few decades ago, as Cheddi resumed authority; then as Jagdeo assumed his stranglehold, I really got into thinking about who really owned Guyana (after its discovery. The European explorers, settlers, plantation and colonial masters found the first arrivals here – the Amerindians. Relatively peaceful and nomadic, those first people cared little then for owning, for transports, titles, leases.
Not so the Europeans. They fought one another for (legal) ownership even from afar, Europe. Just before and after slavery ended (1834-1838), the newly freed people purchased and acquired land. (They were later to either sell or be duped thus losing rights to ownership.) Indian immigrants were actually given lands by Europeans in a bid to stay them returning from Mother India.
Fast forward to these days and consider: who first owned mining locations – ‘forties to ‘ seventies? Who thought of owning sand-pits? Big companies controlled lands for mining, sugar, timber, then who were given allocations for peasant farming, logging, housing estates, spaces for recreation and manufacturing concerns? Why and how? (So descendants of slaves turned their backs on land whilst others (didn’t?)
After I read of my friend Sherlock’s mining acquisitions (Clerk of Parliament) these thoughts assailed me once again. Eric Phillips of ACDA beat me to it however. So I’ll return to his demands shortly.
Right now I ask: Consider what Bharrat Jagdeo did with regard to the Patrimony’s land and other resources; then evaluate which families and companies own which Guyana space. Is this land your land? “Ours?”. Discuss…
Ponder, imagine…
*1) I’m Columbus! Now discovering that: Coby Frimpong (Bharrat’s associate) is still around; that there are 9 municipalities now. (Will there be 9 mayors?) That funding will go to the new Councils because of the following from Stabroek News:
“The Fiscal Transfers Act formalises the basis upon which monies have to be transferred by central government to the councils based on a formula related to the number of people residing within. This will remove arbitrary allocations by the government which are often influenced by political motives. The city, other municipalities and the NDCs will also collect their rates and taxes as normal and will have greater freedom to institute revenue raising measures which could further secure their finances and deepen their financial autonomy from the centre”.
*2) So Wesley, should the hopefuls make promises on the Election Campaign Trails without caution or being conditional? If they know not what awaits them why promise? (It’s aspirational?)
Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
