Black history month, White history always
Only you can decide if this PNC meeting did take place as is about to be described. Those of you already interested are free to speculate as to whether I was invited and did attend or if my young- Turk part–time PNC mole–comrade sent me cell-phone videos of the “closed-door “ session. Up to you-all.
Here is a summary of a People’s National Congress (PNC) meeting which was called to order a few days before Ashni Singh’s pre-Valentine’s Day National Budget. Both leader, the brigadier and chairperson Volda were not present! Also absent was gen-sec Amna. (Unwell). So it fell to Parliamentary Opposition Leader, former GDF intelligence dude Harmon, to chair the proceedings. Basil W. kept an eye, ear and tongue over the session as five young Turks – male and female – displayed enthusiasm.
Strangely, proceedings began with Comrade Aubrey admonishing Joe over the handling of an issue regarding the party’s response to V.P. Jagdeo’s press conference conducted recently. Comrade Aubrey cautioned “Leader” Joe to leave any commentary about Linden to him before any formal announcements.
The meeting prioritised a few issues for “strategic treatment”: imminent PPP Budget measures (Winston was poised to pounce); sustained strategic “outreaches” to certain communities of comrades; pressure on targeted diaspora supporters for funding (the Brigadier’s priority assignment); scrutiny of the oil revenues in New York as the party monitors the PPP’s intentions for use; planning dramatic protests publicly in and out of parliament; and inflating termination dismissals even if those “employees” were needed.
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Sustained image, media use
The Young Turk from Linden proposed: “We must sustain our presence and image in the face of PPP governmental reach. Chris and Sherod must be joined by the three ladies in strategic and consistent use of Facebook and other social media platforms. “We can’t afford local TV and radio and those three New York follows now seem preoccupied”.
Comrade Aubrey concluded the session with a rather wistful reminder to project still the image and contributions of a few elder influencers – comrades Oscar, Yvonne, Rashleigh and RHO for example.
A smaller caucus retired to strategise privately on how to utilise – for public sympathy – attacks on the 2021 budget and current crime trends. Their Opposition Leader was finally cautioned on just how to approach the racial elements.
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The PPP’s confidence – Real? Fake?
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) also held a brief strategy forum. Not at Freedom House but at the V.P.’s mansion by the ocean – with social distancing as the house is massive – and adequate food and drinks with lots of privacy.
They had virtually perfected a “powerful” pre-Valentine week: press conference by V.P. Bharrat to expound on everything, first parliamentary address by His Excellency, to be followed by Ashni’s hours-long budget 2021.
The PPP programmes for national development would be fully proclaimed via those three presentations. The V.P.-General Secretary advised that they should try to “ignore” the Granger/Harmon opposition for as long as possible and practical.
Madam Gail agreed, reminding however that both supporters and other citizens must be “reminded” about the five-month PNC power-grab attempt at intermittent opportunity. She sounded as if disappointed that the PNC petition would hardly produce early new elections. “We would whip their backsides much more now”, someone remarked.
Confidence oozed from the session as plans were made to use ministerial opportunities to continue outreach; to give gifts and reminders; to encourage Big Business investments and a brief discussion about the use of oil revenues.
Oddly, a very sober-minded Donald Rabindranath urged “outside investment” for GUYSUCO – “you must not use the oil money on sugar!”
He then joined the inner caucus to fine-tune party strategies to “reform” the Public Service, the Police Force and GECOM. Drinks and music ended ultimate deliberations. (How much of the foregoing do you all believe?)
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Black History Month vs White history forever
I doubt whether it was any co-incidence that Cheddi Jagan endorsed Forbes Burnham’s choice of February to establish Republicanism. Kofi’s 1763 an unprecedented Rebellion in Berbice inspired!
Now African–descended folks across the globe celebrate Black history/African heritage month in February as well. Next Friday I’ll emphasise two elements of black history observances. For today I’ll note the trenchant commentary of an Afro-American comedienne wherein she suggested a white history month. She says America will realise how many of the honourable founding fathers actually owned slaves, (it was “acceptable” then); why the Second Amendment about “bearing arms” was inserted (to police feisty slaves); and even the Roman/Greek origins of the “Kuklos”- KKK.
White history has been written for perpetuity in sympathetic, sometimes triumphant versions. Earlier histories are now being slowly discovered. Those histories are really the story of “white” worlds which were all once Black-African.
(Now consider why there is still great joy)
And pride to announce “the first African, the first Afro-American to…” Achievement allowed only now-2021!?
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Ponder, think well…
● 1) Criticism must be facilitated in a democracy. Constructive criticism shouldn’t always descend to personal character attacks. (And when critics become executives or government functionaries, they appreciate, from inside.)
● 2) The Belgian cocaine big bust-GRA Scanner operators sacked. Local “investigations on- going”?
● 3) Repeat query: Besides Samuel Archibald Hinds when will the four (4) other Afro-Guyanese be appointed to their diplomatic postings? Ho-ho-ho.
‘Til next week