Dear Editor,
Extremely cautious – and also somewhat scared – not to add to provocative speculation, hostility, insensitive opinion or downright racist-oriented incitement, I thought hard about sharing these personal sentiments about the current incarnation of the People’s National Congress (PNC).
But since my treatment does not include direct commentary on the (four) WCB murders and consequent mayhem; but the role(s) of the PNC amidst the tragedies, I exercise my constitutional right to express anguish at what I perceive to be long-term PNC mischief, bordering on permanent losers’ evil. (Is it the oil that prevents acceptance of electoral loss?)
First, some personal repetition for emphasis and context: (1) I’m supposed to have been born “douglah” but perhaps unfortunately for me, I’ve known 99.9% Afro only; despite having two Indo schoolmates seventy years ago and teaching for years at Goed Fortuin, WB Dem. (ii) Beginning in 1973 in Burnham’s Kitty, I was a card-bearing PNC member for a few years before continuing as avid supporter; (iii) other professional (communication) skills saw me heading the PNC’s Public Relations/Publicity/ Propaganda units for the General Elections of 1980, 1985 and 1992.
I won’t detail my hour-long conversations with Forbes Burnham- at Kuru Kuru one late evening when he expressed, as a pioneer integrationist what he really thought of some CARICOM leaders; and even about our common dental problems. But I will sneak in mention of my privilege of having Forbes’ entire cabinet of ministers as my “class” when I demonstrated how to simplify the now infamous “Declaration of Sophia” for tutorials amongst all party groups. Man, Dr Ptolemy Alexander Reid was proud of my (non-frightened) political teaching skills at the National Development Building on Camp Street that afternoon.
There are other professional/political activities which made me a one-time solid “PNC man”. And remember, the question is always thrust at me: How/why did you serve Burnham and Hoyte knowing they rigged all elections since 1968? So what’s different when Granger’s Lowenfield, Mingo et al tried their electoral thievery recently?”
I’ve always genuinely responded that I really thought Burnham would empower Afro-Guyanese enough to balance off the perceived economic control of “the Indians.” Alas! Thousands of “black people” voted with their feet to the Bronx, Barbados and Brooklyn! And didn’t the brilliant Shahabuddeen, Ramphal, King, Wills, Jackson, etc etc serve the rigging-oriented PNC governments? I was a very junior hopeful” in comparison.
Anyhow, this missive is to lament once more what I perceive, even know, to be the PNC’s rapid descent into the politics of race-tinged protests. Every sane law-abiding citizen must be outraged by the gruesome savagery of the two young men’s deaths. Peaceful robust demonstrations are justifiable, expected. But Granger and Harmon going to fan the flames of race-based politics in Berbice; the blatant politicisation of poor people’s tragedies by electoral losers has to be reprehensible. What are they doing to the PNC? Can division win those elections anytime soon? Whatever Chairperson Lawrence’s motivation, she sounded like a leader and a nationalist when she said something like “we don’t kill our children.” She’ll be a political giant if she tells her people that they lost!
Contrary to the opinions of some, I can never embrace PPP leaders politically. I left the PNC fully in 1997, ironically after a Christopher “Kit” Nascimento TV Commentary and especially when Aubrey Norton and Joseph Hamilton led violent PNC marches in the city, 97/98. There was some terror then too. These days PNC leaders’ behaviour fills me with remorse. They make Mr Jagdeo look good!
At 5:40 pm on March 02 last I voted for ANUG when Kirk reminded me that it could be the final time voting for me (LOL). Rigging apart, the PNC was a formidable political institution for a variety of reasons. Forbes Burnham was a visionary leader until absolute power did the rest. (Desmond Hoyte needed more time). I can’t fully regret “being PNC” once. But Brigadier- leader Granger ensures that I’m filled with remorse for what my old-time Party has become. Poor PNC.
Yours faithfully,
Allan Arthur Fenty