Dear Editor,
I have been approached by a few groups who profess to be of “like mind” where my cartoons and their thrust, perspective and intended effect are concerned. There are others who are not, and while that is the lay of the land (landmines included) which I traverse on a daily basis, I believe that these “like minded” group(s) while well-intentioned will suffer the consequence of being labelled as anti (somebody) and eventually as going against the PNC/PPP status quo. For 52 years and counting, the PPP/PNC stranglehold on our affairs has brought us to discord, isolation and stagnation. Yet these groups with their “well intended initiatives” have kept us deeply divided and distrustful in a perverse way by providing “creature comforts” for 52 years. The disrespect and callous disdain the PPP/PNC has foisted upon this nation of race-voters need not be emphasised. Along comes a group of differently thinking people, who hope to link with other “like-minded” thinkers and groups…and the song begins…Kumbaya milord, Kumbaya…
Groups of those (well meaning) are an excellent way of transmitting to the dominant powers that the gross disrespect meted out to its supporters and other citizens must be acknowledged In this world of awareness and informational overload, do not for one second believe that your supporters and non-supporters are ignorant of your deeds. As individuals, having an informed and educated view of the world and its shams and drudgeries we can see and understand by ourselves that reasoning and discernment need to be a new way of decision-making, for our (individual) selves.
I, Paul Harris as a cartoonist am not anti-anybody and I am not advocating mayhem and confusion as a solution to our present political and economic quagmire. I am, as an individual advocating pro-Guyana. My cartoons advocate letting the PNC/PPP know that I (we) are tired of the backward, visionless, asinine and racist governance you two unleash on our Guyana and it is time that you listen. If the PNC/PPP grow-up and recognise that this country does not belong to “them and we” and stop the negative ethnic and political partisanship that has brought us to this absolute mess, in which we, ones who stayed …and hoped…that the PNC/PPP would come to their….senses and see Guyana could still be …with all the vast potential we’ve been giving away…the Bread Basket it was blessed to be.
The Great John Lennon said “…You may say I’m a Dreamer…but I’m not the only one…” Maybe I am ,… but… if I’m alone on this one …so be it…! All the best Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Paul Harris
