Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago, because of my native appreciation of our Creolese and because I detected solid intent and strategic determination by His Excellency, I quoted his reported declaration: “Cause I en leffing fuh juss now”.
With that creole His Excellency was pledging to remain in and retain office way past 2020. As politics go, his mass following regards highly his confidence. But through a Facebook posting and repetition by some of “the fellas”, another creolese–like expression has just surfaced. For the President’s devoted supporters it would come off as definitely uncomplimentary. To his detractors and others who are given to levity and the Guyanese peculiar sense of humour the new expression is a hit. And might even gather a long life of its own.
The fellows say the (new) expression: “Man, doan Granger Mih”- means ”don’t deceive me; don’t pull a fast one on me. Don’t trick or dupe me into your scheme of things which I can’t and won’t support”. And so on. Immediately upon hearing the expression I sensed two responses.
I appreciated the Guyanese creative use of “serious humour” to define personal or political trickery. And also I suspect that His Excellency’s folks won’t find it funny. (Though a few might actually appreciate the veiled reference to His Excellency’s political skills at stalling, denying and outsmarting his current rivals.) Look at his very latest polling date strategy!
I admired Cheddi Jagan and Eusi Kwayana when they both refused overtures of National Awards from the Burnham governments. They were demonstrating their own brand of political integrity. Dave Martins sings that we must recognise and perpetuate the deeds of our respective genuine National Heroes. I can only agree. So how do we do that?
His Excellency’s commendable Five B’s initiative to get and keep our youth in schools has thrown up a curious side–product. His name is now on boats, buses and bicycles. (Perhaps on exercise books and breakfast kits – 2 other b’s). Honouring a hero in his life-time by the devoted? No problem there for me.
However those of us who regard His Excellency’s now numerous and studied techniques at ignoring or manipulating the constitution and desireable political best practices, might just be given to including in His Excellency’s legacy, the loaded expression: “Man doan Granger mih!”. In addition to his $5000 note. What about you?
Yours faithfully,
Allan Arthur Fenty
